‘Supergirl’ Review: A Heroine Rendered Powerless By Scriptonite

The DCU's first major test after Superman has crashed and burned. A Forbes review titled 'Supergirl Review: A Heroine Rendered Powerless By Scriptonite' calls the film a 'miserable failure' that wastes its lead actress and signals serious trouble for James Gunn's cinematic universe reboot.

Justin Kroll's piece, published June 27, 2026, on Forbes, excoriates the direction and script of the Supergirl movie, which stars Milly Alcock as the titular heroine. The review states flatly that 'Supergirl is a big test for the DCU, and it fails miserably, hamstringing its lead with bad directing and a worse script.' This is the first major critical blow to the DCU after the relatively well-received Superman: Legacy (2025) kicked off Phase One, 'Gods and Monsters.'

The DCU, overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran, launched with the animated series Creature Commandos and the live-action Superman: Legacy. Supergirl was positioned as the second live-action pillar, a bold reimagining of the character as a more hardened, alien warrior based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely's acclaimed comic 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.' Expectations were high: Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) was a fan-favorite casting, and the source material was considered unfilmable in the best way. The film was directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) from a script by Ana Nogueira.

The Forbes review singles out the script as the primary culprit, describing it as 'scriptonite' — a lethal substance that drains the heroine of her power. It also criticizes the directing for failing to showcase Alcock's performance, leaving her 'rendered powerless' despite her evident talent. No box office figures are mentioned in the review, but early tracking had projected a $60-80 million opening weekend.

Industry analysts suggest this review — especially from a high-profile outlet like Forbes — could dent audience interest beyond hardcore DC fans. 'The DCU was built on goodwill from Superman,' says one anonymous studio insider. 'If Supergirl is seen as a step back, that goodwill evaporates fast. Gunn needs to decide whether to course-correct or let the slate play out.' The failure also raises questions about the development process: how did such a beloved comic and a strong cast end up in a film that critics are calling a mess?

What happens next is uncertain. Gunn and Safran have already announced several projects through 2028, including The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, and The Authority. If Supergirl underperforms at the box office, Warner Bros. Discovery may push reshoots or re-edits for upcoming releases. More immediately, fan reaction on social media will be telling. The DCU's ability to recover from a high-profile flop will be tested like never before.

This Supergirl movie review will likely become a cautionary tale about the perils of ambitious adaptation. For now, the DCU's brightest new star has been dimmed by a weak script.