- Primary Subject: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026 Film)
- Key Update: The film is struggling financially and critically, sparking debate over whether key narrative deviations from the comic source material hindered its success.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 3, 2026
- Quick Answer: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is currently struggling at the box office, grossing 79 million dollars against a production budget of up to 186 million dollars.
After premiering in theaters on June 26, Supergirl has received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed just $79 million worldwide (as of July 1) against its reported production budget of $170–186 million.
While Milly Alcock has earned praise for her portrayal of Kara Zor-El, with many applauding the swagger and confidence she brings to the iconic heroine, critics have argued that the film's story falls flat.
Based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely's acclaimed Woman of Tomorrow miniseries, the movie left out several compelling ideas from the source material. So here are three scrapped concepts that could have made Supergirl better.
Being Told From Ruthye’s Perspective
While Woman of Tomorrow centers on Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), the story is told from Ruthye's (Eve Ridley) perspective.
Using a framing device, an older Ruthye recounts the events years later as she reflects on the journey she shared with Kara.
Although this approach may initially make it seem as though the story isn't truly about Supergirl, it ultimately highlights the profound impact Kara had on Ruthye's life.
Had the film adapted this storyline, it could have added greater emotional depth to the story. Seeing Ruthye reflect on her experiences decades later would have shown how much Kara shaped her life, the same heartfelt storytelling approach that made the comic memorable.
A Much Brighter and Vibrant Color Scheme
Besides the story, many viewers and critics have also criticized Supergirl for its dark visual style.
From Kara and Ruthye's journey to the flashbacks of Krypton and Earth, much of the film uses dark, muted colors, making it less visually exciting.
In contrast, Woman of Tomorrow features a bright and vibrant color palette, making the movie look very different from the comic it is based on.
If the film had adopted the comic's colorful style, it could have been more visually appealing while staying faithful to the source material. The brighter colors also could have balanced the movie's darker themes, including child trafficking, making it feel less gloomy overall.
Supergirl’s Way of Killing Krem
One of the biggest changes from Woman of Tomorrow is how Kara deals with Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), and it has become one of the film's most controversial decisions.
In the comic, Kara struggles with whether to kill Krem but ultimately chooses to spare his life. In the movie, however, she lets Ruthye believe that she spared him, only to secretly stab him to death after Ruthye looks away.
While this change shows Kara trying to protect Ruthye from taking revenge herself, the comic's ending delivers a much stronger message about mercy and forgiveness.
If Supergirl had stayed faithful to the source material, Kara's decision to spare Krem would have made the ending more powerful and better reflected the themes of Woman of Tomorrow.
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