Supergirl's First Reactions Revealed
Early Supergirl Reviews Praise Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa in Gritty DCU Debut
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Key Points
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Warner Bros. moved up the social media embargo, allowing early viewers to post reactions ahead of Supergirl’s theatrical release—framing the “first wave” as something the studio clearly wants to capitalize on.
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Joseph Deckelmeier (MovieWeb) highlighted that the film is “a straightforward, poignant story with lots of emotion,” specifically calling out seeing Kara “through little Ruthye’s eyes,” with Deckelmeier saying that perspective makes the action scenes land.
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Chris Killian of ComicBook.com described Jason Momoa’s Lobo as delivering relentless energy, writing that Momoa is “having the fraggin’ time of his life.”
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Simon Thompson (Variety) pointed to concrete production strengths—calling out “production design and costuming” as major technical wins, beyond the performances and overall tone.
The first wave of reviews for *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow* landed on June 18, 2026, after Warner Bros. lifted its social media embargo early — a clear sign the studio likes what it has. Reactions are largely positive, with critics zeroing in on Milly Alcock's raw, flawed take on Kara Zor-El as the film's biggest strength. MovieWeb called it "a straightforward, poignant story with lots of emotion."
The film, directed by Craig Gillespie and produced by James Gunn, hits US theaters on June 26, 2026. It is the second movie in the new DCU, following last year's *Superman*. With a $170 million budget and a crowded summer box office, the stakes are high.
Alcock Redefines Supergirl as Flawed and Fierce
Milly Alcock plays a version of Kara who spent 14 years stranded on a drifting fragment of Krypton. She is darker, edgier, and less hopeful than any Supergirl seen before. Alcock herself described the character as "less earnest and more edgy" in pre-release interviews. ComicBookMovie reported that critic David Crow said Alcock "will change our idea of Supergirl forever."
The story follows Kara on a revenge-driven quest alongside a young girl named Ruthye. According to MovieWeb, seeing Kara through Ruthye's eyes is what makes the action scenes land. That grounded perspective turns big superhero moments into something that actually feels personal.
Momoa's Lobo Steals Scenes with Wild Energy
Jason Momoa plays Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter, and early reviewers say he runs away with every scene he is in. Momoa has said he "petitioned for 15 years" to play the role. ComicBookMovie cited Chris Killian of ComicBook.com, who wrote that Momoa is "having the fraggin' time of his life."
Momoa transitions from his decade-long run as Aquaman in the old DC continuity. His high-energy, chaotic performance as Lobo is already drawing calls for a solo project. Analysts note his immediate popularity could make Lobo a recurring presence across the DCU.
Grimy Space-Western Tone Sets It Apart from Superman
Multiple critics compared the film's look and feel to *Mad Max*. The world is described as dirty, dangerous, and physically brutal. Newsy Today noted reviewers called it a "grimy, emotionally heavy space adventure" that stands apart from the sunnier tone of last year's *Superman*. Simon Thompson of Variety also praised the film's "production design and costuming" as major technical wins.
James Gunn has framed the film as a "space western" from the start. Director Craig Gillespie, known for *I, Tonya* and *Cruella*, was brought in specifically for a rougher, more dangerous direction. Some critics also pointed to a *Guardians of the Galaxy* influence in its humor-and-heartbreak balance.
Weak Villain and Uneven Story Draw Some Criticism
Not every reaction was glowing. Matthias Schoenaerts plays Krem of the Yellow Hills, the film's main villain. ComicBookMovie reported that several critics called the character "bland." Tessa Smith of Mama's Geeky described the film as a "mixed bag," citing both the weak villain and some uneven storytelling as concerns.
A few critics also noted the film does not hit the same emotional high as *Superman*. On top of that, *Supergirl* faces stiff competition at the box office. It opens the same summer as *Toy Story 5* and the viral horror hit *Backrooms*, making a strong opening weekend far from guaranteed. The film runs 108 minutes.
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