Supergirl or Superbust?

By: R.A. Rayne

Did Supergirl ever stand a chance, or was she grounded before the film ever hit the theaters?

For the past month, it’s hard to open a social media feed without seeing a post about Supergirl and its star, Milly Allcock. Articles have been written about her looks, talent, and star power, mostly negative, which is interesting given how much acclaim she received for her cameo in last year’s James Gunn Superman film. I, for one, think Milly Allcock was a perfect choice for the Supergirl film, especially given James Gunn’s take on Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in the DC Universe.

I have seen social media posts demanding that Melissa Benoist reprise her role as Supergirl from the CW/CBS Arrowverse series. Melissa’s tenor as Kara was exceptional. The series was underrated by some, but for fans of the DC Comics Arrowverse, she was the perfect actress for the role. That said, she does not have the edge needed to be Kara Zor-El in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. This version of the character is dealing with the trauma that comes with watching your planet being destroyed and knowing that everyone you’ve ever loved or cared for is now dead.

The Kara in the Arrowverse was a lighter, more fun-loving version of the character. Yes, I know she was still dealing with a lot of the trauma from her past, but when we meet her in the Arrowverse, she has come to terms with most of it. Milly Allcock’s version is not only still dealing with her trauma, but she is also consumed by it. And for that, the role calls for an actress who not only can portray the part but also embody it.

For those unfamiliar with Milly Allcock, she is an Australian actress best known for her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in Season One of HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon. Milly’s sophomore role in a major project was as Simone DeWitt in the Netflix dark comedy miniseries Sirens, opposite acclaimed actors including Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Kevin Bacon. Sirens was well received, and Allcock’s performance as a personal assistant to an enigmatic billionaire who becomes entangled in a complex web of wealth, power, and class, as well as in an increasingly toxic relationship with her boss, was not only powerful but also the standout performance of the series. Milly Allcock’s performance proved she could go deep and dark and carry a project.
For this reason alone, she deserves the leading role in Supergirl. Let’s not forget that Supergirl was not slated for production yet. When James Gunn was announced as the creative head of the DCU, Supergirl was one of the potential movies announced in their First Chapter, titled “Gods and Monsters,” but it was not slated to be one of the later films released. After Superman was released and fans reacted so favorably to Allcock’s portrayal of Supergirl, the film was fast-tracked to a 2026 release.

I almost wish I didn’t have to address this next part, but there is a growing number of toxic fans and individuals who believe that Milly Alcock isn’t pretty enough for the role of Supergirl and that someone like Sydney Sweeney should have been given it. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While Sydney Sweeney is a good actress and might have made a good Kara Zor-El, saying she should have been ‘given’ the role because she is prettier is absurd. For starters, Milly Allcock is stunning. Any of you trolls who think she is unattractive need to take a good look in the mirror, because you’d be lucky if Milly even said “Hi” to you if she passed you on the street.

As an actress, Milly Allcock reminds me a lot of Heath Ledger. Like Heath, she is Australian and a versatile actor. Like Heath, she knows how to go to a dark place and convey the pain she carries inside. Like Heath, she knows when to be vulnerable and when to show her strength. For those of you who question her acting, I am willing to bet you have never acted before. As someone who has been both in front of and behind the camera, I know that taking on the roles she and Heath had takes a lot.
Supergirl, like Masters of the Universe, The Mandalorian, Grogu, and a dozen other films, is suffering not because the films are bad, but because of bad posts. We live in an era when toxic posts rise to the top, and AI algorithms dictate what we think is good and what is perceived as bad.

I have seen all of these movies, and while they, like most films, have their issues, they are good movies. Supergirl is a well-produced, well-acted, well-told story. It is a fun summer film that is not only inspiring but also a great escape from reality. Its larger-than-life action sequences make it a must-see in theaters, and Milly Allcock is super. She deserves the role and the title of Supergirl. If you loved James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies or his hit series Peacemaker, you will enjoy Supergirl. My suggestion is not to wait for it to stream; go see it in theaters.

You will not regret it.