--- title: "Supergirl: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/supergirl/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/supergirl" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Supergirl (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 15 reviews: 4 positive, 7 mixed, 4 negative. Most critics agree on one thing: Milly Alcock. The reviews return again and again to her hard-partying, fed-up Kara, and several say she is the only reason to see the film. Agreement stops there. The spread is wide, from warm to hostile, with the largest group in the middle. The reservations cluster around the script and the direction: dialogue described as flat, a plot too small for its cosmic setting, action sequences that are hard to follow, and a general sense that the film plays it safe where Superman took risks. Sight and Sound finds it faithful to the comic but colourless; Variety goes further and calls the writing terrible and the punk pose desperate. The warmest notices come from IndieWire, which likes its grimy, small-scale independence from the franchise, and Collider, which thinks fans get a definitive Supergirl. Most others land somewhere between likeable and underwhelming. ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B+. 24 June 2026. Milly Alcock delights as a sardonic Supergirl who forges her own path in a grimy, small-scale adventure that avoids Superman's tone. The film is praised for its character focus and independence from franchise expectations. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/movies/reviews/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-craig-gillespie/) ## Empire — Leila Latif Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. The film is a lively but not entirely convincing space opera that plays it safe, offering only diet-James Gunn instead of bolder swings. Milly Alcock's hungover, hard-partying Supergirl is delightful and the origin flashbacks are heartbreaking, but the thin plot and lack of scene-stealing supporting cast leave it blandly safe overall. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/supergirl-2026/) ## Time Out — Olly Richards Rating 3/5. 24 June 2026. The review calls the film safe, fun and easy to watch with a trim running time but ultimately undistinguished. It singles out the simple dog-saving mission and Alcock's authentic fed-up presence for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/supergirl-review-2026) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. The review describes a likeable but underwhelming sci-fi adventure that only sporadically shows its protagonist at her best. Milly Alcock is praised for having the chops and gravity for the role. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-impresses-as-the-sardonic-superhero-but-latest-dc-adventure-fails-to-soar/5217988.article) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 2/5. 24 June 2026. The critic deems it an underpowered and underwhelming superhero flick. Alcock's grunge aesthetic and attitude are highlighted as rising above the weak script and direction. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-dc-universe/) ## The Telegraph Rating 2/5. 24 June 2026. The moody heroine and flat dialogue make the film a chore, wasting Milly Alcock's talents despite some dynamic action sequences and amusing supporting turns. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/06/24/supergirl-review-milly-alcock/) ## The Observer — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2026. The film is a disappointing, generic effort with an uneven script and poor pacing that fails to do justice to Milly Alcock's strong performance as a messy but heroic Supergirl. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-other-films-supergirl-the-last-viking-the-furious-and-more) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. Alcock's hard-partying, depressive Supergirl is likable, but the movie itself is uninspiring and minor, lacking direction or purpose for the character. It suffers from being directed and written by others besides James Gunn, resulting in a visually murky and tonally off effort. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-supergirl-is-fun-but-supergirl-is-a-real-letdown.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson 24 June 2026. The critic calls it a hot mess with a rowdy spirit but too-terrestrial plot; she singles out Alcock's wildling Supergirl as the one reason to see the film while complaining about impossible-to-follow action shots and conventional storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-06-24/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-jason-momoa-david-corenswet-craig-gillespie) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman 29 June 2026. The critic finds the film a faithful but colourless adaptation of the comic that lacks conviction overall. Alcock's performance is singled out as strong enough to carry the movie through its weaker stretches. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/supergirl-milly-alcock-carries-this-movie-her-cape) ## The Guardian 24 June 2026. The film is a relief as a clear, self-contained DC superhero story without heavy backstory. It praises Milly Alcock's lead performance and the focused adventure involving revenge and a kidnapped dog. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/24/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-eve-ridley) ## The Hollywood Reporter 24 June 2026. The critic finds the film leaden and on autopilot despite Milly Alcock's appealingly punky performance as a flawed, chaotic Kara. It fails to deliver emotional depth or engaging action in its interstellar story. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-jason-momoa-dcu-1236629004/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 25 June 2026. The critic finds the film derivative but watchable thanks to Milly Alcock's appealing performance as Supergirl; she singles out Alcock's ability to rise above the fray with a performance that never feels borrowed. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/movies/supergirl-review.html) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman 24 June 2026. The critic pans the film as flat and super-horrendous with a terrible script and desperate 'punk rock' pretension; he singles out the generic action, poor writing, and lack of wit from director Craig Gillespie for complaint while noting some energy from supporting cast. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-1236788124/) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating 8/10. 24 June 2026. The critic calls it a fantastic film that solidifies the DCU and gives fans the definitive version of Supergirl. Milly Alcock's performance as the messy, grieving Kara is singled out for praise as perfectly embodying the character. [Read the review](https://collider.com/supergirl-movie-review-dc-woman-of-tomorrow-milly-alcock/) ## Consequence Rating B-. 24 June 2026. The review finds the film lacks riot grrrl energy and feels more Spice Girls, with a character-focused approach that stays too small despite its cosmic scope. Milly Alcock's performance is praised for bringing heart and spark to the lead role. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2026/06/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-jason-momoa/) ## NME — Matt Maytum Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 2026. Alcock delivers an exceptional performance as a relatable, imperfect Supergirl in this fun, low-stakes revenge tale with humor and a grungy aesthetic, though the film lacks oomph in action and supporting elements. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-jason-momoa-superman-krypto-3952996) ## Den of Geek — Nadya Martinez Rating 3/5. 24 June 2026. The critic praises Milly Alcock's charismatic, punk rock performance as Supergirl but finds the film shallow and uneven, losing emotional depth from the source comic despite strong visuals and worldbuilding. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/supergirl-review-milly-alcock/) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. The critic finds it a solid but unexceptional superhero drama that replicates the James Gunn formula without the same verve or ambition as Superman. Milly Alcock's charismatic, layered performance as Kara is highlighted as the film's saving grace amid familiar story beats and thinly written supporting characters. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/supergirl-review-james-gunn-formula-dcu/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. The review notes the film's messiness in action sequences and the awkward inclusion of Lobo, but praises Milly Alcock's performance and the emotional core about doing good and dealing with trauma. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-dc/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2026. The critic finds the film doesn't quite succeed as a superhero origin story, with too much dark tone and special effects getting in the way of character moments, though praising some performances like Jason Momoa's Lobo and the score. The main complaint is relegating the fun CGI dog Krypto to a mere plot device. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/06/supergirl-review-dcs-female-answer-superman-doesnt-fly-high-1236965872/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/supergirl.md