Supergirl Review: Milly Alcock’s Standout Performance Saves the Day
- The new Supergirl film has split critics, with Milly Alcock’s portrayal of the title character drawing both acclaim and criticism.
- Reviews frequently described the film as “grimy” and “small-scale,” with IndieWire calling it “less like a blockbuster and more like a test reel.” Euronews Culture offered a rare...
- Kotaku and Variety focused on the film’s shortcomings, while Euronews and Yahoo News Singapore highlighted its charm.
Milly Alcock’s Performance: A Star Amidst a Dystopian Mess
The new Supergirl film has split critics, with Milly Alcock’s portrayal of the title character drawing both acclaim and criticism. Kotaku called her “takes charge in a dystopian superhero movie so flat it’s super-horrendous,” while The Guardian praised her as “Superman’s sardonic kid cousin [who] blazes her own way.” Alcock’s performance, however, couldn’t overcome the film’s broader flaws, with Variety noting her “sardonic” energy was “underutilized” in a “flat” narrative.
Tone and Structure: A Grimy, Small-Scale Adventure
Reviews frequently described the film as “grimy” and “small-scale,” with IndieWire calling it “less like a blockbuster and more like a test reel.” Euronews Culture offered a rare positive take, calling it the “film of the week” for its “save the puppy, save the world” premise, which it framed as a lighthearted contrast to DC’s usual grimness. Yahoo News Singapore acknowledged its accessibility but noted the “small-scale approach” left some viewers unsatisfied.
Critical Divide: From Praise to Disappointment
Opinions diverged sharply. Kotaku and Variety focused on the film’s shortcomings, while Euronews and Yahoo News Singapore highlighted its charm. The Guardian struck a middle ground, praising Alcock’s “sprightly and sparkling” anchor role but acknowledging the film’s “grimy, small-scale” execution. Critics debated whether the movie reflected DC’s “ambition,” with some arguing it lacked the boldness of earlier entries in the franchise.
The Spark Amidst the Shadows: Why Alcock Stands Out
Alcock’s performance emerged as the film’s most consistent highlight. Kotaku declared her “the only reason to watch,” while Euronews Culture called her energy “the only consistent highlight” in a “charming but undercooked” premise. Her chemistry with co-star Jesse Carter was noted, though Variety questioned whether the script “adequately showcased her talents.”
Box Office and Future: Mixed Results, Uncertain Path
Released June 25, 2026, the film directed by Anna Rose Bain earned “modest” opening-weekend earnings. Studio executives have not commented on potential follow-ups, but the critical divide may shape DC’s next steps. Variety’s take—“the only reason to watch this film, but even she can’t salvage its flat, uninspired narrative”—underscores the tension between Alcock’s star power and the film’s broader shortcomings.
“Supergirl feels like a lighthearted antidote to DC’s usual grimness, though its small-scale approach may leave some viewers wanting more.”
Yahoo News Singapore
“The film’s reliance on a ‘save the puppy, save the world’ premise feels both charming and undercooked, with Alcock’s energy the only consistent highlight.”
Euronews Culture
“Milly Alcock’s performance is the only reason to watch this film, but even she can’t salvage its flat, uninspired narrative.”
Variety