Directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl; Fright Night; I, Tonya; Cruella) from Ana Nogueira’s feature-length debut screenplay, this “girl saving girls” sisterhood story takes aim at patriarchy and sort of hits its mark. Produced by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, Superman), Gillespie and Nogueira adopt his irreverence, campy humor, and penchant for wounded protagonists. (107 min.)
Glen When we first meet her, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), better known as Supergirl, is on an interstellar bender to celebrate her impending 23rd birthday. She’s a hot mess—perpetually drunk or hungover, and sticking to red sun solar systems where her powers wane, allowing alcohol to have its maximum effect. In yellow sun systems, she’s unbeatable, in green sun systems, she slowly dies. She’s in a bar in a red sun planet when she encounters Ruthye (Eve Ridley), whose family has been brutally murdered by Brigands—ruthless human traffickers led by Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts)—setting up a revenge tale that also involves Lobo (Jason Momoa), a mercenary and bounty hunter. Expect some laughs, some CGI battles, and some cloying emotional manipulations in this summer popcorn flick that’s trying really hard.
SUPERGIRL
What’s it rated? PG-13
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre in SLO
Anna Kara may be rough around the edges, but her real kryptonite is her dog, Krypto. When the Brigands hit him with a poison dart, Kara has three days to track them down and get the antidote that is only worn around their necks. Ruthye’s revenge quest is a bother and not one that Kara’s interested in being a part of, but when the young girl stows away and tags along, Kara can’t help but be protective of the young girl. Not just in physical protection, but mental as well. Ruthye is sure she wants the blood of Krem on her hands, but Kara knows that revenge is nothing more than agreeing to carry a weight for the rest of your life, and Ruthye is too good for that. It’s feminist and sweet, and I’m always a sucker for anyone trying to save a dog (even a CGI one). The villains are gross and evil, and you can’t help but want to watch them get taken down. Our hero is reluctant but also great, and she manages to find a way to be both in a very endearing way.
Glen It’s certainly trying to pass itself off as feminist, but the problem is the only powerful woman is Supergirl. Ruthye is wholly fragile and completely helpless. The other women depicted are human trafficking victims. And the men? They’re either complete reprobates like the Brigands or total wimps. We do get an origin story told in flashbacks about Kara’s parents and how she ended up following her cousin, Superman (David Corenswet), to Earth. Another element of the story is about her finally reconciling that Earth is her home. DC Studios is clearly teeing up a sequel, and while this isn’t a great film, it’s fun enough, and Alcock is interesting enough for me to return for another helping.
Anna I thought Alcock’s casting was great—Kara’s a mess, but a badass one, and her dry humor and quick wit make for a fun character. She’s a call back to the sarcastic, sassy mess phase that almost everyone goes through sometime in their early 20s. It certainly isn’t the film of the year, but if I’m forced to watch superhero flicks every summer, this franchise is a welcome salve to the movies that take themselves and their ridiculous storylines far too seriously. I think tween girls are going to get a kick out of the sassy lead, and she even manages to mentor Ruthye, however reluctantly. But Kara still has a lot of growing up to do herself, and I suspect we’ll follow along that journey with at least one sequel to come. ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in July 2-9, 2026.
