DC's latest cinematic endeavor, "Supergirl," has met with a largely unenthusiastic critical reception, with reviewers describing the film as "ugly" and "flat." Despite anticipation built from Milly Alcock's earlier appearance in "Superman," her portrayal of the iconic heroine has garnered a mixed response, with one critic deeming the movie "a dispiriting girl power disappointment."
The film follows Kara Zor-El as she embarks on an "interstellar journey of vengeance and justice" alongside an "unlikely companion" to find an antidote for her poisoned dog, Krypton.
While Alcock's performance as Kara Zor-El received some positive mentions, her character was frequently described as a "Gen-Z malcontent," a stark contrast to previous, more idealized portrayals. The film's visual style was also a point of contention. Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent noted that the adaptation of Tom King and Bilquis Evely's comic series lacked the original's "striking and beautiful cosmic imagery," opting instead for a "colourless, utilitarian version" that was "cramped and dingy."
Kevin Maher of The Times awarded the film two stars, characterizing Alcock's Supergirl as a "Gen-Z malcontent" and criticizing the inclusion of "needless and momentum-killing flashbacks" detailing Kara's journey to Earth. Similarly, Craig Gillespie in The Irish Times gave two stars, finding the film's approach to the character frustrating despite Alcock's "swaggering layabout" depiction which offered "enjoyably human flaws."
Owen Gleiberman of Variety critiqued the film's aesthetic, stating, "It's all so desperate to be 'punk rock.' But Supergirl is a punk crock." Pete Hammond in Deadline pointed to the "special effects and relentlessly dark tone" as hindrances, impacting the ensemble's ability to "rock" despite Alcock's efforts as a somewhat "quirky" and "reckless" portrayal.
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter noted a failure to find "emotional depth in the sisterhood of Kara and Ruthye," particularly given director's Gillespie's previous work with "spirited, rule-breaking women." However, David Fear of Rolling Stone offered a more optimistic view, suggesting that if director James Gunn's team can maintain this quality and respect for DC characters while exploring "deeper, thornier terrain," the new era of the franchise could be successful.
Alison Willmore of Vulture found Alcock to be a "very watchable lead" but felt the movie "doesn’t know what to do with her or her character," likening Supergirl to an average person "running away from her problems." Conversely, Dulcie Pearce of The Sun awarded the film four stars, praising its "comedic appearances from Superman (David Corenswet), an excellent soundtrack and enough jeopardy."
Beyond the critical reviews, Alcock herself faced backlash regarding her appearance after being cast. This controversy was amplified when Dean Cain, who previously played Superman in the 1990s TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," responded to a social media comparison of Alcock to a primitive character from "Land of the Lost." Cain's reaction, stating "Dang it... I laughed," led to outrage from some fans who accused him of tarnishing his legacy. Cain later clarified he did not call her ugly but appeared unconcerned by the backlash.
Alcock has largely dismissed the criticism, telling Variety Magazine that the negative comments often come from anonymous or unverified online accounts. "If you're p***ing the right kind of people off, you're doing okay!" she stated, indicating a defiant stance against the online discourse.