KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — Supergirl has landed in Malaysian cinemas, marking the second feature under James Gunn’s DC Universe (DCU).
The latest adaptation stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, with the film adapting the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series.
The superhero genre has become increasingly crowded in recent years, and is now often seen as a make-or-break category at the box office.
Since its release, Supergirl has sparked widespread discussion nationwide, with moviegoers sharing a range of early impressions.
What Malaysians are saying about Supergirl
Alynn Lau, 29, said the film was a bold step for DC.
“They had the difficult task of breaking the audience’s existing perception of Supergirl while also meeting the expectations of comic fans,” she said.
She added that while adapting Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow was a strong creative choice, the final film did not fully realise its potential.
Lau said the character development felt somewhat underwhelming, while the villain was not particularly memorable.
However, she described the film as “overall a solid watch”.
“I really enjoyed the space setting and the design of the different alien races.
“They did a great job building the world,” she said.
She also noted that her strongest association with the character remained the CW version of Supergirl, played by Melissa Benoist.
The key difference, she said, was in Kara’s worldview, with the CW version being more optimistic and compassionate, while Alcock’s interpretation is grittier, more cynical and shaped by heavier emotional baggage.
“Considering her backstory in Woman of Tomorrow, I think it’s a really interesting interpretation of the character,” Lau added.
Datuk Kamil Othman, a veteran of Malaysia’s creative industry who attended an early screening, described the film as a “roller-coaster ride” and praised Alcock’s performance.
“Story-wise, it’s Yojimbo and Pale Rider in space, and despite the horsing around, it’s still the Superman universe we all know,” he said, as shown in an Instagram post by Xavier Naxa.
Musician and artist Syazwan Evans, in a similar post, praised the film as a classic-style superhero story centred on positive values.
“An action movie that champions justice, truth and goodness while showcasing the strength and heart of a hero in overcoming every challenge,” he said.
Supergirl’s on-screen evolution
Supergirl has been portrayed by several actresses over the years in live-action adaptations, beginning with Helen Slater in the movie Supergirl in 1984.
Laura Vandervoort later played Kara Zor-El in Smallville from 2007 to 2011, followed by Melissa Benoist, who led the Supergirl TV series from 2015 to 2021.
More recently, Sasha Calle appeared as the character in The Flash in 2023.
Ahead of the 2026 film’s release, promotional events, early screenings and themed activations were held across Malaysia.
These included café tie-ins and Supergirl-inspired arcade crane game booths in the Klang Valley and Penang.
The campaign also extended into everyday spaces, with Supergirl-themed vinyl wraps on Grab vehicles across the Klang Valley, bringing the film’s visuals to commuters.
Several advance screenings saw strong fan turnout, with audiences arriving in cosplay to celebrate the heroine’s return to the big screen.
DCU momentum and what’s next
Superman, the first film in Gunn’s DCU, grossed US$618.7 million, or approximately RM2.9 billion, worldwide in 2025 and helped generate excitement for the franchise’s next chapter.
The momentum has also been reflected in Malaysia, where fans have actively embraced the new DCU.
Last year, around 1,000 fans gathered at AEON Mall Bukit Indah in Johor, where 1,007 participants dressed as Superman or Clark Kent secured a place in the Malaysia Book of Records.
The next DCU feature film is Clayface, scheduled for release in October this year.
The sequel to Superman, titled Man of Tomorrow, is set for 2027, with Supergirl expected to return as the shared universe continues to expand.
Supergirl is currently screening in Malaysian cinemas.
