James Gunn’s ‘Supergirl’ first reactions praise Milly Alcock

The first reactions to Supergirl have arrived, and the response suggests that James Gunn’s expanding DC Universe is maintaining momentum following the success of Superman.

Members of the film press were given an early look at Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. Initial reactions praised the Australian actress for her leading performance, while several critics pointed to the film’s gritty style and emotional tone.

Entertainment journalist Simon Thompson wrote that the movie “isn’t a classic but it’s fun and hits most of the targets it aims for,” adding that Alcock excels in the title role. He also singled out the action sequences, humour and the film’s emphasis on physical production.

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo and io9 described the film as a strong companion piece to last year’s Superman. According to Lussier, the characters and relationships are more complex and the emotional stakes make the action sequences more impactful.

Film critic Mike Ryan compared the movie’s atmosphere to George Miller’s Mad Max franchise. He noted that Supergirl features rougher environments, unusual villains and a heroine with destructive tendencies, giving the film a noticeably different flavour from previous DC entries.

Based on Tom King’s acclaimed comic series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the film follows Kara Zor-El as she joins an unlikely ally on a journey driven by vengeance and justice after a devastating personal loss.

Craig Gillespie directed the feature, with Matthias Schoenaerts portraying villain Krem of the Yellow Hills. Eve Ridley plays Ruthye Marye Knoll, the young girl who recruits Supergirl for her mission. David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham portray Kara’s parents, while David Corenswet reprises his role as Superman.

One of the most talked-about elements in the early reactions is Jason Momoa’s debut as the alien mercenary Lobo. Several critics highlighted the character as one of the film’s standout additions.

Alcock recently explained why she embraced the role despite feeling intimidated by the responsibility. Speaking previously about the opportunity, she said the project frightened her, which ultimately convinced her to take the leap.

Supergirl marks the second theatrical chapter in Gunn’s DC Universe after Superman earned strong reviews and collected more than $618m worldwide.

The film is scheduled to open in cinemas on July 26, with early reactions indicating that DC fans could be in for a darker and more adventurous cosmic story led by one of the franchise’s newest stars.