A New Shade of Heroism: My Review of ‘Supergirl’ (2026)

When James Gunn’s Superman hit theaters last summer, it felt like a breath of fresh air. It was optimistic, colorful, and pointed toward a bright future for the new DC Universe (as I wrote in my review of the 2025 Superman movie). Naturally, I went into the new Supergirl movie wondering if we were going to get a carbon copy of that specific tone.

Instead, this film carves out a completely distinct identity—and it really works.

If you are expecting the bright, vibrant, primary-color palette of Superman, you might be surprised by the aesthetic choices here. Supergirl grounds itself in a much heavier, grounded visual style. The cinematography relies heavily on earthy tones, dominated by deep browns and darker colors. It gives the film a gritty, textured look that fits the character’s unique backstory and separates her world from Clark’s, making the cosmos feel vast and formidable.

But don’t let the darker palette fool you into thinking this is a slog. The movie is action-packed from start to finish. The pacing keeps your foot on the gas, but it never feels hollow because the dramatic moments are genuinely believable.

A massive reason the emotional core lands so well is the cast. The acting is incredibly solid across the board, led by a truly terrific performance from Milly Alcock. She completely embodies the role, capturing both the immense, raw power and the deep, jaded vulnerability of Kara Zor-El perfectly. On top of that, Jason Momoa is absolutely wonderful as Lobo. He brings the perfect amount of charismatic, rough-around-the-edges energy to the Main Man, stealing every single scene he’s in.

What I appreciated most about the script was the humor. In an era when superhero movies often rely on forced meta-quips, the comedic beats here feel completely authentic to these characters. The laughs come from genuine character interactions rather than trying to wink at the audience.

For the DC lore fans, there’s plenty to love. Superman does make an appearance in the film, and their on-screen dynamic is fantastic. Better yet, the movie beautifully sets the stage for Kara to appear in the next Superman film—a crossover I am already incredibly excited to see unfold.

Now, let’s be real for a second. If you know me, you know I’m a Batman fan first and foremost. Because of that, Supergirl isn’t going to dethrone my absolute favorite DC projects. But even with the Dark Knight holding the top spot in my heart, I had an absolute blast with this movie. It’s a fun, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining ride.

I’ll definitely be watching this one again, and it’s a guaranteed purchase for me the second it hits digital platforms. If you haven’t checked it out yet, go give it a look.

Did you see Supergirl yet? What did you think of Milly Alcock’s performance or Jason Momoa’s take on Lobo? Let me know in the comments below!

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