Supergirl draws praise despite weak box office start
Ars Technica says the DC film is an enjoyable but uneven entry as superhero fatigue weighs on theaters.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Supergirl has opened below Warner Bros.’ expectations, according to Deadline, despite a response from Ars Technica critic Jennifer Ouellette that the film is better than its early commercial performance suggests. The movie’s struggle matters for DC Studios as it tries to build momentum for its rebooted film universe after last year’s Superman.
Ouellette wrote that the film has faced online attacks, mixed reviews and a disappointing first weekend at the box office. Her assessment was measured: she called Supergirl a good superhero movie, though not one strong enough to overcome a crowded market in which many viewers may wait for streaming.
The film is part of the DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter, overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Ars Technica reports that Ana Nogueira wrote the screenplay after earlier plans for a standalone Supergirl film carried over from the previous DC era, and Craig Gillespie directed.
The story draws from the comic miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which Ars Technica notes was partly inspired by True Grit. In the film, Milly Alcock plays Kara Zor-El, who teams with Eve Ridley’s Ruthye Marye Knoll after Krypto, Kara’s dog, is poisoned by Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts.
Ars Technica describes the plot as a space road story centered on Kara and Ruthye’s pursuit of Krem. Jason Momoa appears as bounty hunter Lobo, though Ouellette wrote that the role amounts to a cameo rather than a major part of the story.
A darker take on Kara Zor-El
Ouellette wrote that Supergirl benefits from a cleaner story than Superman, with fewer superhero cameos and a more direct emotional arc. The film’s Kara is portrayed as more cynical and damaged than her cousin Kal-El, played by David Corenswet.
According to Ars Technica, the strongest scenes revisit Kara’s childhood in Argo City. The film’s backstory has Kara born after her father, Zor-El, played by David Krumholtz, saves the city under a protective dome, only for its people to later suffer from radiation sickness tied to kryptonite beneath it.
Ouellette praised Alcock’s performance, saying the House of the Dragon actor gives Kara volatility, humor and vulnerability. She also wrote that Alcock and Ridley work well together on screen, while Krypto makes the most of limited scenes.
The review was less impressed with the villain. Ars Technica said Krem is thinly written, despite Schoenaerts’ efforts, and that Momoa’s Lobo mainly adds comic disruption rather than depth.
Why the film may be struggling
Ouellette pointed to several possible reasons for the weak box office, including broad superhero fatigue and limited demand for a Supergirl solo film. She also wrote that the trailers revealed much of a predictable plot.
The Hollywood Reporter, cited by Ars Technica, has pointed to competing versions of the film and creative differences between Gillespie and Gunn as possible factors in its performance. Ouellette rejected the idea that the film’s underperformance can be blamed on anti-“woke” complaints, misogyny or online criticism of Alcock’s appearance.
Ars Technica also noted that Supergirl is not the only high-budget release to fall short this year, naming Masters of the Universe, The Mandalorian and Grogu and Disclosure Day. By contrast, the review identified Backrooms and Obsession as breakout hits.
Supergirl is currently playing in theaters. Ars Technica reports that Alcock’s version of the character is expected to return in next year’s Man of Tomorrow.
This story draws on original reporting from Ars Technica.