Maddie Jusko | staff writer

Warner Bros.’ 2025 “Superman” was a successful film, soaring past the $600 million mark at the 2025 global box office. But I think “Supergirl,” which was released this summer, was much better, despite the fact that it didn’t make as much money.

I like “Supergirl” because she is strong and independent, and she fights off villains who get in her way.

Not only did I like the film because the character is a woman, but also because the storyline is an accurate adaptation of the comic book series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.” The series was originally created by Tom King in 2021 to shed light on who Supergirl, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), really is. I recommend reading it because some parts of the comic are not in the movie.

Although this isn’t the character’s first appearance in the DC universe, this was the first film all about Supergirl. The movie grossed $126.4 million worldwide against an official production budget of $170 million to $186 million at the time of its release.

There’s no doubt that Milly Alcock fills the role of Kara Zor-El better than past versions on screen, such as Melissa Benoist in the television series “Supergirl.” Alcock’s acting was better suited for the role because of the character’s party-girl attitude and her do-it-her-own-way mentality.

The action-packed film features a teen Kara who must overcome villains from outer space and the troubles of fitting in, all the while trying to save her dog, Krypto, who she adopted before her home planet, Krypton, was destroyed.

They even show a flashback of Kara growing up on the planet: Viewers see Kara’s mother fall ill and die, as well as her father building her a spaceship, so Kara and her newly acquired dog can head to Earth. This is my favorite part because you get to know Supergirl as a kid. DC fans get to learn that the Superman universe isn’t all about him.

The movie follows Supergirl and an alien named Ruthye Marye (Eve Ridley) on a journey of revenge while trying to find an antidote to save Krypto after the villain Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts) of the Yellow Hills poisoned him. Between fighting off space pirates and dodging a kidnapping, Supergirl shows off her wit and determination.

The movie not only gave the spotlight to female characters, but it also contained a lot of suspense and conflict that kept viewers hooked.

And it didn’t lack humor either.

One of the funny moments from the movie was when Krypto ate chocolate from the trash can. I guess chocolate isn’t poisonous to Kryptonian dogs.

Craig Gillespie is the director of DC’s “Supergirl.” He also directed movies such as Disney’s “Cruella.” “Cruella” is an origin story of the villainous Cruella De Vil.

Gillespie is good at giving female characters the spotlight they deserve.

Some DC fans like Superman more than Supergirl, but I think it’s important to show that girls can do things, too.

“Supergirl” is now one of my favorite movies. I recommend you watch this movie because female superheroes deserve the same amount of screentime as male superheroes.

Maddie Jusko can be reached juskom@duq.edu