SUPERGIRL Stumbles Out of the Gate With Rotten Tomatoes Score as Early Reviews Call It "Super-Horrendous"

The first wave of reviews forSupergirlhave landed and the reactions has painted a surprisingly rocky picture for what was expected to be another major win for DC Studios.

With 119 reviews currently counted, the film has landed at a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it firmly in "Rotten" territory. While that number could still shift as more reviews roll in, it would take a significant surge of positive reactions to push the movie back into "Fresh" status.

That score puts Supergirl well behind the other projects released so far in the new DC Universe. Creature Commandos currently sits at 95%, Peacemaker Season 2 holds 94%, and Superman earned a strong 83%. It's also worth noting that Supergirl marks the first DCU project that James Gunn neither wrote nor directed.

The reviews themselves are all over the place. While a handful of critics found plenty to enjoy, even many of the film's supporters admit it's weighed down by some major issues. Unlike a true critical breakout, there doesn't seem to be much consensus that Supergirl is anything more than a mixed bag.

Deadline wrote that "despite some good moments and sharp dialogue in places (Ana Nogueria is the screenwriter), something feels a bit off" with Supergirl, describing it as a movie which "seems to [be] borrowing from others rather than staying in its own lane."

The Hollywood Reporter was even less enthusiastic, telling readers, "Anyone invested in the DCU would be best to hold out for Gunn’s return to the director’s chair on next year’s Superman continuation, Man of Tomorrow."

Variety didn't hold back either. Its headline bluntly declared the film "So Flat It’s Super-Horrendous," while the review itself stated:

"I was shocked to see that the director, Craig Gillespie, who made the arresting I, Tonya and the fabulous Cruella, could churn out a piece of product this generic in its action and its attitudinizing. It’s all so desperate to be 'punk rock.' But Supergirl is a punk crock."

The Wrap also found itself frustrated by what the movie leaves on the table, writing: "A lot of the frustration stems from potential that it just can’t seem to reach in its action sequences, and the casual and unanswered sexism that has no business existing in a film centering on the Girl of Steel."

Not every review has been negative, though. GamesRadar+ praised the film's darker tone, calling it: "Superman's messier younger cousin in every way, Supergirl earns its Guardians of the Galaxy and Mad Max comparisons with a surprisingly dark (and sometimes downright gross) space adventure about revenge and finding your home."

Empire was similarly positive, highlighting star Milly Alcock's performance: "Milly Alcock’s hungover hero is delightful, even if the film never truly cuts loose. Here’s hoping she gets a weirder, wilder showcase."

io9 also came away mostly satisfied, writing: "Supergirl isn’t quite as great as Superman, but it’s a super solid follow-up nevertheless. Alcock is perfect in the role, Ridley is a wonderful sidekick, and together, they help teach us a bunch more about the overall DC universe. It’s a delightful, albeit flawed, ride."

IGN landed somewhere in the middle, stating: "Supergirl borrows from the best, but Milly Alcock’s great take on Kara Zor-El gets lost in the spare parts from other movies used to assemble her story."

The Hollywood Handle shared a similar opinion, saying that it’s "a very generic plot, weak action sequences, and bland visuals make this just an 'okay' superhero adventure."

Even some of the more favorable reviews came with plenty of caveats. The Guardian noted: "Supergirl isn’t a perfect movie by any means, but there are moments when you’ll believe this franchise can fly."

Meanwhile, AV Club concluded: "It's not as terrific as its source material, but it's still a worthwhile companion piece to DC's big guy."

For DC Studios, this certainly isn't the reception they were expecting. Following the strong response to the first wave of DCU projects, Supergirl looked poised to continue that momentum. Instead, it has become the first major stumble for the franchise's theatrical slate.

Of course, critical reception is only part of the story. Box office performance will ultimately determine how successful the film becomes, and comic book movies have overcome mixed reviews before. Still, the reaction suggests that some of the issues that plagued past DC films haven't completely disappeared.

The silver lining is that one aspect of the movie appears to have earned near-universal praise. Alcock's portrayal of Kara Zor-El continues to receive compliments from critics on both sides of the debate, giving fans plenty of reason to remain excited about the character's future.

Even if Supergirl hasn't soared with critics, Kara's journey in the DCU is only getting started. Alcock is already set to return in next year's Man of Tomorrow, and many viewers may leave this film wanting to see even more of her version of the iconic hero.

Supergirl flies into theaters on June 26.