Supergirl First Reactions: Mad Max Meets Guardians of the Galaxy in the DCU

The first reactions to Supergirl dropped on June 18, and they paint a picture of something that nobody really predicted. If you assumed James Gunn’s DC Universe would deliver another upbeat, needle-drop-heavy space romp after Superman (2025), you’re about to be pleasantly surprised.

Craig Gillespie — the director behind I, Tonya and Cruella — has made a film that looks and plays more like Mad Max: Fury Road than Guardians of the Galaxy, despite borrowing some of the latter’s intergalactic road-trip energy.

The Tone Nobody Expected

Several early reviewers went out of their way to say that Supergirl defied their expectations. Mike Ryan wrote:

“SUPERGIRL is not at all what I was expecting. I, too, assumed ‘superhero space movie with needle drops’ would have a similar tone to GOTG or even Superman. Instead it looks and plays more like a Mad Max movie, with dirty worlds, gross villains and a self destructive hero.”

That’s a bold direction for a DC tentpole. The grime-and-grit aesthetic sets it apart from the polished superhero fare we’ve been getting for years. Chris Killian put it well: “If you threw GOTG, True Grit, and Mad Max into a DC blender, you’d get Supergirl — a grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure.”

Milly Alcock Is the Real Deal

Almost every reaction circles back to one thing: Milly Alcock’s performance as Kara. DCU Brief called the film “a bold, fresh and lively film that lets this iconic character shine. Milly Alcock is the highlight. She’s jaded and brash, yet optimistic and so damn cool.”

Rachel Leishman captured the spirit of the character nicely: “Kara isn’t her cousin and I really loved how this movie makes that clear. She’s a different kind of hero and perfect in every way.”

That distinction matters. Too often, Supergirl gets folded into Superman’s shadow. Gillespie’s film appears to resist that urge entirely.

Jason Momoa’s Lobo Is an Instant Standout

If Alcock is the heart of the film, Momoa’s Lobo is its wild pulse. Will-iam Smith called him “an instant standout,” and Chris Killian noted that Momoa is “having the fraggin’ time of his life” — which, if you know anything about Momoa and Lobo, is exactly what you want to hear.

Lobo has been a fan-favorite character in the comics for decades — a foul-mouthed, intergalactic bounty hunter with a motorcycle and zero regard for authority. Seeing Momoa lean fully into that energy is about as exciting as it sounds.

How It Compares to Superman

Germain Lussier’s reaction is probably the most balanced take: “It doesn’t quite have the resonance of Superman, but it acts as both a perfect companion and a follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships. It’s also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder.”

That’s a useful framing. Supergirl isn’t trying to top Superman — it’s carving out its own lane. The pace is shorter, the tone is heavier, and the emotional core is Kara’s tragic backstory rather than the optimism that defined her cousin’s film.

The Verdict From Early Screenings

The early consensus is clear: Supergirl is a crowd-pleaser that takes risks. It’s not the safe play many expected from a studio superhero sequel. The Mad Max influence gives it a rougher edge, Alcock’s performance gives it a soul, and Momoa gives it pure chaotic energy.

If those ingredients survive the final cut intact, the DC Universe is looking at its second genuine hit in a row.