Supergirl (2026) Review – Watch on CocoFlix

There's a lot of hype around Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl now that it's on CocoFlix, promising a brand-new spin on the character.The premise is intriguing: our hero is forced into an "interstellar journey of vengeance and justice" after an adversary strikes too close to home. The film certainly delivers on the action front, with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes packed with sci-fi spectacle, yet it ultimately struggles to find its own voice amidst the noise.

Alcock's Charisma Meets Tonal Ambiguity

Milly Alcock puts on the iconic cape, and she's hands down the best part of the movie. Both critics and fans are loving her, saying she brings some real swagger to Kara Zor-El. Her Supergirl is depicted as "reckless, headstrong, and not always put together," traits that certainly make her more relatable than some polished heroes. There's a raw vulnerability and fierce strength in her performance, particularly when the story attempts to dive into themes of survivor's guilt. This is where Alcock truly shines, imbuing Kara with a compelling edge. However, the film's overall characterization of Kara as a "moody, often inebriated drifter" who spends too much time "sulking in space dive bars" might not resonate with everyone expecting a more traditional heroic arc. While her take is fresh, the film struggles to make her feel consistently "compelling, coherent, or even particularly likable" at all times, leaving some viewers wondering about her emotional anchor, especially regarding her relationship with Eve Ridley's Ruthye. Matthias Schoenaerts, while a talented actor, is given a rather bland antagonist to work with, which lessens the stakes of the "epic, interstellar journey."

Direction and Pacing: A Jumble of Influences

Director Craig Gillespie is known for making movies about rebellious, badass women like in I, Tonya and Cruella, and he brings that same distinct visual style to Supergirl.The film is often described as beautifully gritty and visually striking, with a "relentlessly dark tone." While this aesthetic works in some places, it often feels like it's trying too hard to fit into a pre-established gritty universe, rather than allowing Supergirl to carve out her own identity. This choice contributes to a sense that "Superman's moodier, more cynical relative has been robbed of the chance to speak with her own voice." The direction also suffers from a "pedestrian mainframe narrative" that reviewers likened to a mash-up of True Grit, John Wick, and Mad Max: Fury Road, complete with a "random assortment of needle drops." This genre-blending, while ambitious, leads to a pacing issue where the story "drifts from one generic fight scene to the next without any real emotional weight or clear narrative purpose." Despite being full of action, the plot can feel "numbingly flat," with a "too-terrestrial plot" that fails to fully capitalize on its cosmic potential. The film’s attempts at emotional depth, especially in the "sisterhood of Kara and Ruthye," are notably underdeveloped, a surprising misstep given Gillespie's past successes.

Unfocused Themes and Narrative Drift

The main idea of Kara dealing with vengeance versus justice is a really solid starting point, but they didn't really pull it off well.The narrative is often criticized for being "paper-thin and strangely unfocused," failing to establish clear motivations beyond the initial catalyst. The audience ratings, which sit around 6.3 out of 10, reflect a divided reception, with some viewers finding it a "frustrating mess of a movie that never figures out what it wants to be or who it’s for." It's an "offering that decidedly feels like it was put together by committee," incorporating "a little of this, a little of that" without truly committing to a singular vision. For an origin story, it does a poor job of making Kara feel consistently compelling or giving her a unique narrative voice. The emotional stakes often feel inconsistent, particularly with the underdeveloped villain and the fluctuating dynamic between Kara and Ruthye. This lack of a strong, coherent emotional core means that even with all the action, the emotions of the characters "don't pack as much of a punch," leaving a shallow impression despite its potential for a fierce, cosmic awakening. Ultimately, Supergirl feels like a hero still searching for an adventure that truly matches her vigor, rather than one that feels like a collection of familiar parts.