In a familiar narrative dilemma faced by powerful characters, the superhero Supergirl grapples with the challenge of telling a compelling story about a character for whom everything seems effortless. Often, the most obvious solutions that Supergirl encounters are the most difficult for the audience to accept. This common trope involves powerful beings burdened with artificial problems to portray their godlike abilities as a curse. For instance, the immensely strong hero inexplicably struggles against weaker opponents to create a sense of real stakes. Alternatively, the character may choose isolation from humanity to evoke pathos or renounce powers to embrace a supposedly more fulfilling mortal life.
Addressing this storytelling challenge, the early-2000s webcomic “minus” humorously confronts the cliché of portraying superhuman abilities as a burden. Rather than dwelling on the hardships of having extraordinary powers, “minus” satirizes how writers rely on this idea to drive their narratives.
Supergirl, portrayed by Milly Alcock, faces similar thematic hurdles encountered by Superman writers throughout history. The film opens with Supergirl embarking on a self-destructive journey across the galaxy, disconnected from humanity and seeking solace in isolation. Her path intersects with Ruthye, a mortal warrior seeking vengeance, leading to an interstellar quest fueled by a valuable sword and a generic villain, Krem.
Despite commendable performances and world-building efforts, Supergirl’s narrative falters due to amateurish writing and direction. The movie fails to establish its protagonist effectively, resorting to clichéd action tropes without depth or purpose. Characters like Lobo add little substance, contributing to the film’s overall incoherence and lack of engagement.
Ultimately, Supergirl struggles to offer a fresh perspective or meaningful character development, resulting in a film that falls short of captivating its audience. The movie’s direction by Craig Gillespie and screenplay by Ana Nogueira lack the finesse needed to elevate Supergirl beyond a predictable and uninspired superhero narrative.
