Milly Alcock's Supergirl joins forces with Eve Ridley's Ruthye Marye Knoll to avenge her father's death and combat the evil intergalactic human trafficker Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, offers a refreshingly straightforward narrative compared to the convoluted DC Extended Universe entries.
A Clear Story Without Baffling Backstory
The movie wastes no time addressing the sexual politics of the title 'Supergirl' versus 'Superman,' though the dialogue breaks off without a definitive resolution. Alcock's Supergirl is portrayed as a hungover, disheveled heroine who prefers vertical flight with a bent knee, avoiding the classic horizontal pose. This iteration of Supergirl is not required to wear figure-hugging costumes for the male gaze, a subtle nod to modern sensibilities.
Supporting Cast and Cameos
Jason Momoa delivers a scene-stealing performance as Lobo, a cigar-smoking bounty hunter who learns prison escape tactics from Ruthye. David Corenswet's Superman makes a caring big-brother cameo, while flashbacks to Supergirl's Krypton childhood feature Emily Beecham and David Krumholtz as her parents. The film includes a brief appearance by Krypto the dog, though sadly without a cape.
Release and Reception
Supergirl is set for release on 25 June in Australia and the UK, and 26 June in the US. While not a perfect movie, it offers moments that suggest the franchise can still soar. The film avoids the tedious superhero-media relationship subplots that have plagued earlier DC films, focusing instead on a straightforward revenge narrative against human trafficking.
