July 24, 2025
Supergirl's cameo in Superman is brief, but impactful. In just a couple of minutes, audiences get a clear sense of where her character is development-wise. Not very far along — or at least, that's how it looks. She seems to be a bit of a mess, a stark contrast to her cousin Superman. It's an unusual way to present Supergirl ahead of her own movie, but it's important in establishing the character's trauma.
James Gunn's Superman is all about the triumph of hope and goodness among humanity. Craig Gillespie's Supergirl will deal with many similar themes, but from a perspective shaped more through loss. With all the anger and sorrow that she harbors, it's only natural to question how Supergirl is able to cling to her optimism. The upcoming Supergirl film is definitely a movie worth looking out for if Superman already has you invested in the beauty of well-written comic book narratives.
For those that don't know, the 2026 Supergirl movie will be an adaptation of Tom King and Bilquis Evely's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The comic series, above all, stresses the importance of maintaining one's ideals. Even in a universe plagued by cruelty and corruption at every turn, Supergirl refuses to shed her belief in the inherent goodness of people. And despite having experienced so much loss in her life, Kara doesn't let her trauma inform her actions.
While Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is unmistakably a Supergirl comic, there's also a coming-of-age aspect to the story. Not for Kara, but for a young girl by the name of Ruthye Marye Knoll. In some ways, she can be considered the true protagonist of the story. The initial conflict in the comic comes from the murder of her father, after all. Supergirl actually serves as more of a mentor figure in this story. It's an unusual dynamic for Supergirl, but it works so well. Confronted with a girl whose pain shapes her every living purpose, Supergirl understands the importance of setting a good example. At its heart, the story becomes just as much about womanhood as it is about heroism. It really isn't surprising that a movie adaptation is already being made.
As for the tone of the upcoming Supergirl movie, expect a vibrant space adventure. Despite some of the heavy themes in the narrative, there's an underlying reverence for the beauty of life all over. Supergirl and Ruthye will be traversing the universe, going to various unique planets. There's a lot to take in throughout that journey, and the gorgeous visuals are just as important as the plot in some areas.
It's surprising that DC has never really explored the depths of space all that much in its films. Probably because it's a bit too bold of an endeavor to take. Properly adapting Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow won't be some cakewalk. The comic is visually stunning; translating that to the big screen will take lots of hard work. The payoff, though, will likely be well worth it. If all goes well, this upcoming Supergirl movie could be an instant classic, just like the comic that it's adapting.