{"id":2482242,"date":"2026-06-30T17:41:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2482242"},"modified":"2026-06-30T17:41:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:41:05","slug":"supergirl-is-a-decent-standalone-movie-so-why-is-everyone-acting-like-its-awful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/supergirl-is-a-decent-standalone-movie-so-why-is-everyone-acting-like-its-awful\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSupergirl\u201d is a decent standalone movie \u2014 so why is everyone acting like it\u2019s awful?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Here we go again. A woman-led superhero movie is out in theaters, and people can\u2019t stop gleefully bashing it, as well as prematurely analyzing its performance based solely on its <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/supergirl-bumpy-box-office-takeoff-toy-story-5-soars-to-number-one-12008195\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:opening weekend earnings;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;opening weekend earnings&quot;}\" class=\"link \">opening weekend earnings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">And okay, I&#8217;ll admit it \u2014 before I watched <em>Supergirl<\/em> in a movie theater this past weekend, my expectations were medium to low.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Part of the reason was the reviews; the second film in the reboot of the DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran received a \u201crotten\u201d score of 55% on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/m\/supergirl_2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Rotten Tomatoes;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Rotten Tomatoes&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Rotten Tomatoes<\/a> (the audience score is much more positive). Another reason is superhero blockbuster fatigue. I\u2019ve seen nearly every live-action superhero movie in theaters during its opening weekend for the last 20 years. I\u2019m a fan of the genre, but studios are pushing them out quicker and quicker. Audiences barely get to breathe between sequels and spinoffs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Milly Alcock as Supergirl, with her dog Krypto, in &#8216;Supergirl&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Warner Bros.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Yet I loved Gunn\u2019s <em>Superman<\/em>, which opened last summer to positive reviews all around and earned $618 million at the global box office. Gunn did not direct <em>Supergirl<\/em>, but I trusted his vision after last year\u2019s hit. Plus, <em>House of the Dragon<\/em>\u2019s Milly Alcock was leading the film, so how bad could it be?<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As it turns out, <em>Supergirl <\/em>isn\u2019t bad at all. Directed by Craig Gillespie (<em>I, Tonya<\/em>) and written by Ana Nogueira, the film is a fun detour that gives a backstory to Superman\u2019s cousin, Kara Zor-El. Based on the critically acclaimed comic book series <em>Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow<\/em>, it follows Kara as a reluctant (and often drunk) superhero who teams up with Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), a teenage girl seeking revenge after her family is murdered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Although the plot is darker than <em>Superman<\/em>\u2019s, the film still feels like it&#8217;s in the same universe as last year\u2019s hit. The visuals, dialogue, and world-building are all in line with the new DCU. I was entertained for the duration of the film, which, in case we forgot, is the goal of every moviegoing experience! I can\u2019t say the same for every other superhero film released in the last few years, yet many of those films weren\u2019t judged as harshly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">So why are people acting like <em>Supergirl <\/em>is the worst movie ever made? (One <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/film\/reviews\/supergirl-review-milly-alcock-1236788124\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:critic even said;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;critic even said&quot;}\" class=\"link \">critic even said<\/a> it had the \u201cworst script I can remember.\u201d) There\u2019s a simple answer: misogyny. While it doesn\u2019t apply to every negative review and reaction to the movie, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/show\/researchers-report-stunning-surge-of-misogyny-in-schools\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:growing hatred and resentment of women;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;growing hatred and resentment of women&quot;}\" class=\"link \">growing hatred and resentment of women<\/a> across the world have definitely impacted <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/movies\/the-marvels-box-office-report\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:women-led;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;women-led&quot;}\" class=\"link \">women-led<\/a> superhero films.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/former-superman-dean-cain-takes-jab-at-milly-alcock-s-supergirl-11994543\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:men mocked;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;men mocked&quot;}\" class=\"link \">men mocked<\/a> 26-year-old Alcock\u2019s appearance across social media. The narrative was clear: Alcock, who spends most of <em>Supergirl<\/em> wearing loose T-shirts and minimal makeup, wasn\u2019t styled to fit the male gaze. It\u2019s quite the opposite: with a human trafficking plot tied to the villain, Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), the story calls out those who sexualize young girls and women.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Additionally, Kara doesn\u2019t have a love interest, and the film isn\u2019t interested in giving her one. <em>Supergirl <\/em>is a story about a depressed, super-powered woman who is pulled out of her bar-hopping to help other people and find her purpose.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">To be clear: The story isn\u2019t for everyone, and, despite everything I wrote above, I don\u2019t think you\u2019re a bad person if you don\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But we need to talk about how the public responds to women-led stories in a genre that historically has been consumed by male-majority audiences. <em>Supergirl<\/em> was set up to fail with the backlash that started as soon as the first trailer hit the internet. Now, after an opening weekend that earned the film $38 million domestically against a budget of over $170 million, everyone is quick to call it a failure\u2026when the film hasn\u2019t even been in theaters for a week. DC Studios doesn\u2019t appear to be confidently promoting its film, either.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Director Craig Gillespie (left) with Milly Alcock and Eve Ridley on the set of 'Supergirl'Credit: Warner Bros.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/7PYkUrOZPjhrctufvIA1jA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/6d92b5a4bbea395fe07df7063fbb7c61\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Director Craig Gillespie (left) with Milly Alcock and Eve Ridley on the set of &#8216;Supergirl&#8217;<br \/>Credit: Warner Bros.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Safran, co-chairman and co-chief executive of DC Studios with Gunn, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/dc-reacts-supergirl-box-office-flop-12009000\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:told the New York Times;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;told the New York Times&quot;}\" class=\"link \">told the <em>New York Times<\/em><\/a> on Monday, \u201cWhile <em>Supergirl<\/em> didn\u2019t meet our box office expectations, it\u2019s just one component of a broader, long-term strategy at DC Studios that we remain confident in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our <\/em><\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/ew-dispatch-newsletter-11812417\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:EW Dispatch newsletter;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;EW Dispatch newsletter&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><strong><em>EW Dispatch newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The statement doesn\u2019t exactly inspire audiences to jump to see it during the upcoming holiday weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Supergirl<\/em> is not the awful film the public is being led to believe it is. It\u2019s a decent standalone movie that gives Supergirl a backstory before she next appears with David Corenswet in 2027\u2019s <em>Man of Tomorrow<\/em>. There\u2019s humor, an emotional core, and engaging performances. It deserves more attention.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Supergirl<\/em> is now playing in theaters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/supergirl-is-a-good-movie-backlash-opinion-12009121\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Entertainment Weekly;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Entertainment Weekly&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here we go again. A woman-led superhero movie is out in theaters, and people can\u2019t stop gleefully bashing it, as well as prematurely analyzing its performance based solely on its opening weekend earnings. And okay, I&#8217;ll admit it \u2014 before I watched Supergirl in a movie theater this past weekend, my expectations were medium to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2482243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[41332,482706,184939,26980,344723,47897,72985,363825,337434],"class_list":["post-2482242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-james-gunn","tag-kara-zor-el","tag-milly-alcock","tag-movie-theater","tag-opening-weekend","tag-peter-safran","tag-supergirl","tag-superhero-film","tag-superhero-movie"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Supergirl-is-a-decent-standalone-movie-\u2014-so-why-is.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2482242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2482242"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2482242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2482244,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2482242\/revisions\/2482244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2482243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2482242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2482242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2482242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}