The first reactions to Supergirl have arrived, and if the early buzz is any indication, DC may have another major success on its hands.
Critics and journalists who attended early screenings have praised the film’s emotional storytelling, stunning visuals, and, above all else, Milly Alcock’s performance as Kara Zor-El. Many are calling her portrayal one of the standout superhero performances in recent years, describing her Supergirl as fierce, vulnerable, rebellious, and deeply human.
Entertainment journalist Brandon Davis wrote that Supergirl is “a visually stunning and emotionally rich adventure” and praised Alcock for delivering a “star-making performance.” Others echoed that sentiment, saying she completely owns the role and creates a version of Kara that feels dramatically different from Superman while remaining just as compelling.
Several reactions have highlighted the film’s unique tone, noting that it feels less like a traditional superhero movie and more like a cosmic fantasy adventure. The story reportedly embraces the darker, more emotional elements of the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic, following Kara on an interstellar journey filled with loss, vengeance, and self-discovery.
One early reaction described the film as “heartbreaking, hilarious, and visually gorgeous,” while another praised director Craig Gillespie for creating a world that feels expansive and unlike anything previously seen in the DC Universe. Critics have also singled out the chemistry between Alcock and Eve Ridley, who plays Ruthye, saying their relationship forms the emotional core of the movie.
Credit: Warner Bros.
The praise surrounding Alcock has been especially consistent. In a recent profile, Gillespie praised the actress’s commitment and authenticity, while DC executives reportedly knew they had found their Supergirl after seeing her screen test. Her version of Kara is described as tougher, more emotionally scarred, and more rebellious than previous incarnations of the character.
That approach aligns closely with the film’s source material. Based on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the movie presents Kara not as an idealized hero, but as someone carrying the trauma of Krypton’s destruction while searching for her own purpose in the universe.
With Superman helping launch the new DC Universe and Supergirl now earning rave first reactions, fans have even more reason to be excited about the future of DC Studios.
If these early impressions hold true with audiences, Milly Alcock may have just delivered the definitive live-action Supergirl for a new generation.
