I had the opportunity to attend an early screening of Supergirl this week at Warner Bros., and it was a refreshing take on a beloved superhero.
Warning: There may be spoilers in this post. Read with caution.
Growing up, Supergirl was one of my favorite superheroes.
I clearly remember watching the 1984 film sometime in the late 80s. My parents bought me the comics, and I dressed up as Supergirl for Halloween. You can say I was a bit obsessed. Watching this film in 2026 with my daughter was pretty cool and nostalgic at the same time.
I loved the retro, junky space vibes.
First, the color grading. Kara (played by Milly Alcock), a Blondies fan, has a record player and retro-type decor, though quite a mess. But the mess symbolizes the messiness in her actual life, too. When she has flashbacks of her old family life, it’s very minimal, neutral beige tones, and when with her cousin Clark, crisp, blue hues. The entire film is set mostly in space and momentarily on Earth.
The film begins with Kara drinking herself numb to celebrate her birthday while Ruthye’s tragic story plays out. The two meet as Ruthye seeks to avenge her family’s death. Kara resists, but when Krypto, her dog, becomes involved, she eventually caves in, and a bond is formed between the two. Kara finds her purpose despite the pain, and Ruthye is brave despite her own. Ruthye and Kara’s friendship becomes the emotional heart of the film. Their bond is heartfelt, authentic, and beautifully reminds us that family isn’t always the one you’re born into.
What stood out most to me is that Supergirl isn’t just about extraordinary powers- it’s about a young woman navigating grief.
Kara is raw, real, and deeply emotional, carrying the weight of loss while simply trying to figure out who she is in her twenties and where she belongs. It’s a vulnerable portrayal that makes her feel incredibly human. The scene that hit me was when she felt so overwhelmed by her emotions and almost helpless, even with superpowers- she flies into space and lets out a big scream. It was such a real moment.
Krypto will hit you in the feels. And it wrecked Kara.
The relationship between Kara and her loyal companion brought some of my favorite moments in the film. Kara’s flashbacks show Krypto as a pup and how she found him rummaging through garbage and gave him a home. Krypto became Kara’s emotional support and family as she was losing her parents and starting over on planet Earth. Their connection adds warmth, humor, and plenty of heart. But they also will tug at your heart. As a paw parent myself, I felt Kara’s pain. When the bad guys messed with the dog, I just knew it was over. I may or may not have shed a tear- paw parents be warned!
At its core, Supergirl is a story about friendship, family, love, grief, resilience, and discovering that true strength isn’t just about having superpowers-it’s about finding the courage to keep moving forward, even when you’re carrying the weight of the world.
Whether you’re a longtime DC fan or simply love a good superhero story, Supergirl delivers an emotional journey that’s just as powerful as its action sequences. It’s a reminder that sometimes the strongest heroes are the ones who allow themselves to be vulnerable.
