“Supergirl” has been unveiled to members of the film press, and it appears James Gunn‘s burgeoning DC Universe is staying on track with its second film outing. First reactions for the comic book tentpole are praising leading star Milly Alcock and the movie for shifting Gunn’s DC world into “Mad Max” territory.

“It isn’t a classic but it’s fun and hits most of the targets it aims for,” wrote journalist Simon Thompson. “Milly Alcock is great as the titular heroine and Momoa’s Lobo is a blast. Other big wins are the action, humor and when it leans into physical production.”

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo and io9 called the movie “highly enjoyable,” noting: “It doesn’t quite have the resonance of ‘Superman,’ but it acts as both a perfect companion and follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships. It’s also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder.”

Film journalist Mike Ryan said the movie “looks and plays more like a ‘Mad Max’ movie, with dirty worlds, gross villains and a self destructive hero.”

“Supergirl” continues the DC Universe after last summer’s “Superman,” which introduced David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and kicked off Gunn’s franchise with solid reviews and a strong $618 million at the worldwide box office. Milly Alcock stars in the title role.

The film’s logline reads, “When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.”

“Supergirl” is based on the comic series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” by Tom King and directed by Craig Gillespie. The supporting cast includes Matthias Schoenaerts as the lead villain, Krem of the Yellow Hills; Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, a girl who recruits Supergirl to bring Krem to justice for killing her father; David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham as Supergirl’s parents; and Jason Momoa as the alien mercenary Lobo. Corenswet also pops up as Superman.

In a Variety cover story last month, Alcock opened up about deciding to take on the superhero on the big screen. She explained: “I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, ‘Who am I to turn down this opportunity? I knew that it was what I needed to do, because it scared me. And I thought, ‘Well, I get one big, bad, beautiful life. Why not fucking go for it?’ Just fucking go for it! What are you, scared? Get over yourself.”

“Supergirl” opens in theaters July 26. Check out more first reactions below.

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

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) June 18, 2026

#Supergirl is highly enjoyable.

It doesn't quite have the resonance of Superman, but it acts as both a perfect companion and follow-up to that movie with better characters and more complex relationships.

It's also incredibly emotional, which makes the action hit even harder. pic.twitter.com/Mic27Q2jKu

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 18, 2026

SUPERGIRL is everything I wanted it to be. Girls can be messy and that rules! 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. pic.twitter.com/38V5fP2MWd

— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) June 18, 2026

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 shines, especially when we get into Kara’s tragic backstory, but Jason Momoa is having the fraggin’ time of his life as Lobo. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/k2wmb7VMdy

— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) June 18, 2026

Unfortunately Supergirl is a mixed bag for me. As a fan of the comic, I was (perhaps) overly excited for the film adaptation. While Jason Momoa’s Lobo & Milly Alcock shine, some adaptation choices and a bland villain keep it from greatness. It's, simply put, just fine. #Supergirl pic.twitter.com/4uDAvQmjYv

— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) June 18, 2026

#Supergirl isn't a classic but it's pacey fun and hits most of the targets it aims for. Milly Alcock is great as the titular heroine and Momoa's Lobo is a blast. Other big wins are the action, humor and when it leans into physical production. Production and costuming design are👍 pic.twitter.com/ogelX1QSCE

— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) June 18, 2026