Who is Supergirl? What You Should Expect From the Supergirl Movie?
While The Man of Steel was busy saving the world and cleverly disguising himself as a mild-mannered reporter with nothing but a pair of glasses, another Kryptonian was waiting for their chance to make a mark on humanity. Supergirl, aka Kara Zor-El, is Superman’s cousin, and the latest hero to burst onto the screens as part of the DC Universe. Supergirl the film is just about to open worldwide amid high expectations, but who is Kara Zor-El? And what should you expect from the new Supergirl movie? Let’s explore one of the most complex and fascinating characters to come out of planet Krypton.
Who Is Supergirl in the DC Universe?
Supergirl first appeared in Action Comics issue 252 in 1959 but didn’t have the same impact on audiences as her older and more famous relative, Superman. In the DC Universe, she’s still the same character, but thanks to a little more detailed backstory and an attitude that can split a planet in half (as well as a mean right hook), Supergirl is now a far more developed character.
She stands just as tall as Superman, with all the superpowers and abilities that Kal-El has. The trouble is, she also comes with serious emotional baggage, making her more unpredictable and prone to mistakes. In short, Supergirl in the DC Universe is very much a flawed superhero at the beginning of her journey.
The Origin Story of Kara Zor-El Explained
Supergirl, or Kara Zor-El, was born on Krypton to Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. That makes her Superman's cousin, so it’s no surprise she inherited the family traits. As Krypton tore itself apart, her father planned to put her in a spacecraft and send her to Earth, presumably so she could be reunited with her cousin.
However, the ship didn’t make it past the remains of Krypton, and she spent over 30 years in suspended animation on an asteroid. When her ship finally made it to its intended destination, Kara awoke to find her cousin firmly settled in his role as Superman, with no room for a teenage relative in his life. Adopting the identity of ‘Linda Lee’, Kara lived in the Midvale Orphanage, keeping both her own and her cousin’s secrets to herself.
A tragic backstory that not only involves the destruction of her home planet but also a sense of abandonment and loneliness creates a strong, resilient character who is, in many ways, more relatable and far more ‘human’ than her cousin.
What Powers Does Supergirl Have?
As with all Kryptonians, Supergirl’s power comes from her ability to absorb and use the sun’s radiation. That means that she has the same range of powers as her cousin, including super strength, heat vision and super breath. She can also create force fields, fly extremely fast, and even manipulate sound. Basically, Supergirl can do everything Superman can, and with just as much of a flair for the dramatic.
How Supergirl Differs from Superman
Superman’s life journey has a considerably more ‘cosy’ background than Supergirl. Whereas Superman found himself in the loving embrace of an Earth family that cared for and nurtured him, Supergirl has had a tragic, lonely path. Superman has a more grounded, emotionally secure start in life, which shapes his deep-rooted belief in humanity's capacity for fundamental goodness.
Supergirl, however, has witnessed the destruction of Krypton first-hand and then had to cope with the isolation, loneliness, and emotional turmoil that trauma induces. This produces a far more complex and damaged individual, which can also result in moral conflict as the lines between good and evil, right and wrong, are blurred. Supergirl is a much more raw and unpredictable character, and perhaps a more direct reflection of the legacy left by the destruction of a planet and its civilisation. As a witness to that destruction, Supergirl carries the weight of its loss and grief, elements that Superman was spared.
Supergirl’s Most Important Comic Book Storylines
Some of the most important Supergirl storylines include “Red Daughter of Krypton,” “The Last Daughter of Krypton,” and the Linda Danvers arc, showcasing her growth, struggles, and heroic legacy. Red Daughter is the best place to start if you’re new to the Supergirl story, as this charts her story before returning to Earth. Following Red Daughter, The Last Daughter of Krypton chronicles her arrival on Earth, her struggles to adapt, and her initial relationship with her cousin.
The Linda Danvers storyline details the influence her mentor has on her development and how Kara finally becomes the superhero the world embraces. And more recently, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow lays the foundation for the modern take on her journey.
Supergirl’s Journey in Movies and Television
The first Supergirl movie was released in 1984, starring Helen Slater. This film sits in the ‘Donnerverse’, home to the iconic Christopher Reeve’s Superman films and was released between Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. In this version, the two characters never met, and this Supergirl film is very much a stand-alone addition to the timeline.
Supergirl burst onto the small screen in a six-season series that ran from 2015 to 2021. Known as the ‘Arrowverse’ series, it featured Melissa Benoist as Supergirl and was a part of the DC Universe storyline.
In 2023, an alternate-universe version of Supergirl appeared in The Flash, a DC Extended Universe film that featured a disrupted timeline. This was course-corrected in 2025, with the DC Universe Superman featuring a Supergirl appearance at the end as a lead-in to the 2026 Supergirl film.
There are also plenty of animated outings to explore, but the film and TV versions give the most accurate canon to the original comics.
What Is the New Supergirl Movie About?
As part of the DC Universe’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters story arc, it takes the 2021 comic miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow as its cue. This darker version of the Supergirl story sees Kara celebrating her 23rd birthday and travelling the galaxy with her dog Krypto. It’s a tale of revenge and the search for justice in an unjust universe.
Who Is Starring in the Upcoming Supergirl Film?
The upcoming film stars Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem, and Jason 166558 as arch villain Lobo.
How the Supergirl Movie Fits into the New DC Universe
Supergirl may be a stand-alone narrative, but it dovetails into the DC Universe between Superman and the sequel, Man of Tomorrow. It also provides a jumping-off point to explore the darker side of Krypton’s legacy in greater detail with a relatable, vulnerable superhero that has a real connection with the audience.
What Fans Should Expect from the New Supergirl Movie
While there’ll be lots of detailed examination into the motivation and fragility of Supergirl’s character, it won’t all be brooding looks and dark introspective commentaries. There’s plenty of action promised, too, making this a well-rounded and balanced cinematic experience. You’ll be able to catch Supergirl at your nearest VOX Cinemas from the end of June.
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