DC's "Girl of Steel" has officially touched down in theaters, and the conversation surrounding Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is every bit as turbulent as Kara Zor-El's journey through the cosmos. With a jaw-dropping performance at its center and a script that's already sparking debate, this is one of the most talked-about superhero films of the summer, for better and worse.
What the Film Is About
Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El (played by Milly Alcock), Superman's Kryptonian cousin, as she navigates a darker origin story before finding her footing on Earth. Unlike the polished heroism we associate with her famous cousin, this Kara is gritty, grief-stricken, and gloriously unpredictable. Director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) leans into intimate character drama, a bold swing for a big-budget superhero spectacle.
The film also features Jason Momoa as the wild, unhinged cosmic bounty hunter Lobo, alongside Matthias Schoenaerts as the menacing Krem of the Yellow Hills. It's only the second live-action entry in DC Studios' rebooted DC Universe, arriving on the heels of last year's massively successful Superman.
The Critical Divide
Here's where things get complicated. Supergirl opened to a 57% "Rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 148 reviews.
The unanimous bright spot? Milly Alcock. Digital Spy's Ian Sandwell praised her ability to "turn the familiar themes of grief and belonging into something affecting and endearing," while USA Today's Brian Truitt called her "superb at giving the character likable depth while maintaining an unpredictability."
The script, however, drew harder criticism. Variety's Owen Gleiberman called it "the worst script he could recall for a DC outing," writing that "the film is full of action yet numbingly flat." The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney added that the action "seldom packs much visceral wallop."
Not everyone piled on. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw found optimism, writing "there are moments when you'll believe this franchise can fly," and praised the film for telling a clean story without drowning in franchise bloat. IndieWire's Kate Erbland noted its willingness to "stay small while asking some very big questions" as its most distinctive quality.
Box Office: A Rough Weekend
The numbers reflect the mixed reception. Supergirl opened to an estimated $38 million domestically over its opening weekend — debuting second behind Toy Story 5, which dominated with $70 million in its second frame. That $38M figure landed roughly 24% below pre-release estimates of $50 million, a figure already considered underwhelming given the film's reported $170 million production budget.
Internationally, the film brought in an additional $30 million, putting the global opening weekend at approximately $68 million. Analysts at Box Office Watch project a final domestic total in the range of $78.5 million to $108 million, a ceiling that may not cover costs once marketing spend is factored in.
Audiences leaned more forgiving than critics, giving the film a B- CinemaScore and a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Bigger Picture for DC
Supergirl is not a disaster; it's a complicated growing pain. The DCU is still establishing its identity, and Milly Alcock has clearly delivered a foundation worth building on. As The Hollywood Reporter suggested, audiences most invested in the new DC universe may want to keep their eyes on James Gunn's next directorial effort, Man of Tomorrow, due in 2027.
For now, Kara Zor-El has arrived. Rough edges and all, she's here, and she's not going anywhere.
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