DC Studios is framing Supergirl as a bold new direction for the franchise — one that blends gritty space adventure with emotional depth. Alcock's casting, praised across the board, positions her as a generational talent stepping into an iconic role.
Insiders say Warner Bros. is watching these mixed reviews closely. While Alcock delivers, multiple critics flagged the villain as underwhelming — and that's a problem heading into opening weekend when family audiences expect clear stakes.
Supergirl opens in theaters June 26, 2026. Chris Killian of Comicbook.com called David Corenswet 'peak casting' and noted 'Every time he's on screen, you can't help but smile.' Tessa Smith wrote the film is '(perhaps) overly excited for the film adaptation' and called it 'just fine.'
Alcock's Supergirl has the star power to draw audiences — but whether DC can convert first-weekend hype into franchise momentum depends heavily on word-of-mouth once families start weighing in.
The first reactions to Supergirl are in, and honestly? They're exactly as complicated as you'd expect from a DC film trying to carve out its own identity in the post-reboot era. Craig Gillespie's space adventure starring Millie Alcock opened to mixed but enthusiastic reviews Thursday night, with critics largely agreeing on one thing: Alcock is the real deal.
Chris Killian of Comicbook.com set the tone early, posting on X that if you threw Guardians of the Galaxy, True Grit, and Mad Max into a DC blender, you'd get Supergirl — "a grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure." He gave props to Alcock specifically, particularly for her handling of Kara's tragic backstory. But it was his assessment of Jason Momoa's Lobo that got the internet talking: Momoa looks to be "having the fraggin' time of his life" in the role.
Killian also highlighted the practical effects and called David Corenswet's Superman "peak casting," adding that "every time he's on screen, you can't help but smile." That's high praise for a supporting player who only appeared briefly in last summer's Superman. Not everyone was as enthusiastic, though. Movie critic Tessa Smith took to social media with a more measured take, calling Supergirl a "mixed bag" and acknowledging she came in as an overly excited fan of the comics.
"While Jason Momoa's Lobo & Milly Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep it from greatness," she wrote. "It's, simply put, just fine." That word — "fine" — is the kind of lukewarm assessment studios dread heading into opening weekend. John Nguyen of Nerd Reactor was even more direct, saying Supergirl "felt bland" and expressing disappointment that Alcock wasn't given stronger material to showcase her abilities.
The comparisons were relentless throughout social media, with multiple critics reaching for the same touchstones. Erik Davis likened it to "the underdog rock n' roll attitude of Guardians of the Galaxy" mixed with Mad Max's "grimy ruthlessness," while Fico Cangiano called it a solid follow-up to Superman that delivers an "intergalactic road trip" evoking those same franchises, plus Thor: The Dark World. Davis offered perhaps the most nuanced take, praising Alcock for bringing "a sort of aloofness and melancholy to the role that helps create emotional depth," while noting Momoa's Lobo is used "just enough that you're satisfied but also want to see more." He echoed Corenswet as the perfect Superman choice.
Total Film's Fay Watson offered perhaps the most passionate defense, writing on X that Supergirl is "the film I wish I'd had as a teenager who loved superhero movies." She called Alcock "perfect" and highlighted her "incredible drunk acting" specifically. Germain Lussier was balanced but pointed: while he found the film "highly enjoyable," it doesn't have "the resonance of Superman" — though he acknowledged it works as both a companion piece and follow-up with better characters and more complex relationships, plus it's "incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder." With Supergirl hitting theaters June 26, DC is betting that Alcock's star-making turn will be enough to overcome those villain concerns. We'll know by Monday morning whether audiences agree.
