‘Supergirl’ First Reactions: Milly Alcock ‘Shines’ as James Gunn’s DC Universe Embraces ‘Mad Max’ Vibes

Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- "Supergirl" drew positive first reactions from film press, with journalist Simon Thompson writing, "It isn't a classic but it's fun and hits most of the targets it aims for," and calling Milly Alcock "great as the titular heroine."
- Film journalist Mike Ryan said the movie "looks and plays more like a 'Mad Max' movie, with dirty worlds, gross villains and a self-destructive hero."
- Gizmodo/io9's Germain Lussier called the film "highly enjoyable" and "a perfect companion and follow-up to 'Superman'" with "better characters and more complex relationships."
- Jason Momoa appears as the alien mercenary Lobo, which Thompson called "a blast," alongside David Corenswet reprising his Superman role from last year's franchise-launching film.
- "Supergirl" is directed by Craig Gillespie, based on Tom King's "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" comic series, and opens in theaters July 26.
- The film continues James Gunn's DC Universe after "Superman" opened last summer to solid reviews and $618 million worldwide.
Why it matters: Gunn's DC Universe is staking its second theatrical outing on tonal departure — grittier, post-apocalyptic aesthetics over Superman's brighter register — with Alcock's casting and Momoa's Lobo as the swing factors. A soft opening here would complicate DCU's franchise roadmap just one film into its relaunch.



