Supergirl Movie Review: Fun Action, But Needs More Lobo

James Gunn’s Supergirl is an enjoyable superhero flick that effectively follows the rebooted Superman in the DC Universe. Critics and audiences seem to agree that one character steals the show but deserves more screen time.

What Is Supergirl?

If you haven’t been keeping up with DC’s relaunch, Supergirl is part of James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe (DCU). This overhaul also produced the well-received Superman in 2025. Think of the DCU as DC’s effort to create a cohesive movie-and-TV landscape like Marvel did with the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) starting in 2008. Gunn, who directed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, now heads DC Studios and is building this new universe from scratch.

Supergirl stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s Kryptonian cousin. It also features Jason Momoa in a role that critics are calling one of the film’s standout performances.

What the Reviews Say

Both CNET and Mashable have similar takes: it’s a good comic book movie, but not a great one. Milly Alcock’s portrayal of Kara is receiving strong acclaim. Reviewers say she brings real attitude and emotional depth to a character that’s often hard to nail on screen. Alcock, known for her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon, has convincingly stepped into the big-budget superhero arena.

The action scenes hit the mark. The tone aligns well with Gunn’s vision for the DCU. Plus, the film serves as a proper sequel to Superman, expanding the universe rather than pulling back.

However, the main complaint from reviewers is clear: not enough Lobo.

Who Is Lobo, and Why Does It Matter?

Lobo is a character from DC Comics, depicted as an intergalactic bounty hunter with a personality that mixes a biker gang leader with a walking disaster. He’s deliberately exaggerated, crude, and funny, making him a wild card that can bring serious energy to a superhero story that might otherwise feel serious. Jason Momoa, who played Aquaman in the earlier DC films, takes on this role, and critics say he lights up every scene he’s in.

The frustration isn’t about Momoa’s performance — it’s that reviewers clearly wanted to see more of him. This only highlights how much they appreciated his work. Mashable’s review noted that Momoa brought “big attitude” to the role, while CNET pointed out that the film could “really use more Lobo,” which became a key point in their coverage.

Where Supergirl Fits in the New DC Universe

The DCU relaunch has been a gradual process. Gunn has taken a careful approach, steering clear of the cluttered, crossover-heavy strategy that hampered previous DC films. Supergirl seems to do what it needs to: it tells a self-contained story while laying groundwork for future films and series.

Mashable’s review mentioned that the film is “better than the comic” it’s based on, indicating that Gunn’s team made some creative choices that paid off. For mainstream viewers who aren’t familiar with the DC source material, that’s a solid benchmark — the movie stands on its own.

What This Means for Everyday Viewers

If you liked last year’s Superman reboot and are curious whether Supergirl is worth your time and money, critics say yes, with a few caveats. You’ll find a well-acted superhero movie packed with solid action. Milly Alcock looks like she’ll be a valuable long-term asset for the DCU. Plus, Jason Momoa’s Lobo is clearly being set up as a recurring character — reviews suggest he’s too good to keep sidelined.

If you’ve grown tired of superhero films after the overloaded Marvel phase, Supergirl probably won’t change your mind. However, for fans who are cautiously optimistic about Gunn’s DC reboot, this seems like another positive step instead of a misstep.

In the bigger picture, DC is slowly rebuilding audience trust, film by film. Supergirl is player two in that strategy.

What Fans Are Saying

“Milly Alcock absolutely carried this movie. The Lobo scenes felt like a completely different film, and I mean that as a compliment. Give Momoa his own spinoff already.”

— u/DCFanReboot, Reddit r/DCFilm

“It’s good, not amazing. But ‘good’ is exactly what DC needed after the last few years. I’ll take it.”

— YouTube comment on the official Supergirl trailer, 4.2K likes

Sources and Further Reading

• CNET: ‘Supergirl’ Review — A Solid ‘Superman’ Follow-Up That Could Really Use More Lobo
• Mashable: Supergirl Review — Better Than the Comic, but Not DC’s Best

What To Watch

• Box office tracking: Opening weekend numbers will reveal whether Gunn’s DCU is gaining mainstream traction beyond critics and comic fans.
• Lobo spinoff rumors: If audience reception for Momoa holds up, expect DC Studios to fast-track a standalone Lobo project. Keep an eye on announcements from Gunn’s social channels or DC Studios.
• Next DCU entry: Gunn has laid out a multi-year plan for the DCU. The next major film or series announcement will likely come at a big industry event in late 2026.
• Milly Alcock’s future: With positive reviews behind her, Alcock is positioned as a franchise cornerstone. How DC moves forward with Supergirl will signal its overall DCU strategy.