Supergirl's Controversial Debut: Milly Alcock Divides Critics in Dystopian Superhero Film

The DC Universe introduces a radically new iteration of Kara Zor-El in the film "Supergirl," starring Milly Alcock, a portrayal distinct from previous on-screen versions and heavily influenced by the comic series "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes. This Supergirl is initially presented as an interplanetary drunk, crashing into the Fortress of Solitude, giggling, and demonstrating a "punk rock" attitude that has sparked diverse reactions among fans and critics alike.

Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the film centers on Kara as she celebrates her 23rd birthday by partying on power-dulling planets. Her festivities are dramatically interrupted when she encounters Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young girl on a quest for revenge against Krem of the Yellow Hills, a vicious leader of space pirates known as the Brigands who are responsible for slaughtering Ruthye's family. Kara's journey becomes intertwined with Ruthye's mission, evolving into a violent confrontation with her own traumatic past, especially after Krem threatens Krypto, her beloved superdog.

Milly Alcock's performance as Kara Zor-El is at the heart of the film and has been widely praised as its highlight. Unlike her "golly, gee-whiz cousin" Clark Kent, Kara is a tragic figure haunted by the destruction of Krypton and the slow demise of Argo City, a remnant of her home planet. Her childhood was spent on Krypton before being sent to Earth as a last resort, a stark contrast to Clark's infancy escape and wholesome upbringing. While producers James Gunn and Gillespie have labeled Kara an antihero, the film reveals her as a person robbed of everything, beneath her party-girl persona and occasional brattiness. Alcock deftly embodies Kara's gravitas in painful moments of retrospection, including a devastating scene delivered flawlessly in Kryptonian dialogue with David Krumholtz's Zor-El.

The dynamic between Alcock's Kara and Eve Ridley's Ruthye Marye Knoll is a significant strength, acting as the film's emotional anchor. Ridley excels as the plucky, determined Ruthye, whose unwavering resolve for vengeance provides a compelling counterpoint to Kara's protective instincts. Their chemistry fuels both the fun and sincerity of the narrative, establishing a classic reluctant hero and energetic sidekick duo.

However, the film has faced mixed critical reception, holding a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While Alcock's performance and the Kara-Ruthye relationship are consistently lauded, other elements have drawn criticism. Jason Momoa's inclusion as Lobo, though entertaining, is frequently cited as feeling "shoehorned in" and lacking significant narrative impact, even though the character was part of Tom King's initial pitch for the comic. Matthias Schoenaerts' Krem of the Yellow Hills is described as underwritten and derivative, lacking the magnetism of an interesting villain despite his brutish actions of pillaging, razing towns, and abducting young girls. Critics have also noted a "one-note" plot and a script that some found numbingly flat, a disappointment given James Gunn's emphasis on strong screenwriting for the DCU.

Despite these flaws, "Supergirl" is seen as a crucial step in solidifying the newly rebooted DCU's strength and its commitment to presenting more flawed and complex superheroes. The film is lauded for its effervescent, colorful aesthetic, dynamic action sequences that showcase Kara's brazen fighting style, and a score by Claudia Sarne that complements strong needle drops. David Corenswet makes several surprising appearances as Superman, offering an intimate look at the cousins' complicated relationship and hinting at Kara's potentially more dominant role in future DCU installments. Ultimately, "Supergirl" offers a cosmic twist that sheds Earth-centric baggage, successfully developing a new and definitive version of the character. The film opened in theaters on June 26.