One of the biggest controversies surrounding James Gunn’s Superman may not be going away anytime soon if Supergirl reviews are to be believed.
Light spoilers may follow for Supergirl…
According to veteran film critics Chris Gore and Alan Ng of Film Threat, Supergirl appears to double down on the very plot point that generated some of the strongest backlash among DC fans following the release of Gunn’s first DC Universe film, Superman.
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Speaking in Film Threat’s out-of-the-theater reaction video, Gore revealed that Supergirl reinforces the now-infamous revelation that Kal-El was sent to Earth not simply to survive Krypton’s destruction, but to eventually conquer and subjugate humanity.
For fans who hoped Gunn would quietly move away from the controversial storyline after the reaction to Superman, Gore’s comments suggest the opposite may be happening.
Chris Gore Says Supergirl Reinforces Superman’s Conqueror Narrative
While being careful to avoid major spoilers, Gore singled out one particular story beat that immediately stood out to him.
“Without getting into spoilers, they double down on the fact that Kal-El was sent to Earth to conquer Earth,” Gore said. “They doubled down on it in a line in a way that I couldn’t believe.”
The statement is significant because that revelation was arguably the most debated creative choice in Gunn’s Superman.
For decades, Superman’s origin has been one of the simplest and most beloved stories in comics. Jor-El and Lara sent their infant son away from Krypton as an act of love. They wanted him to survive. The Kents then raised Clark Kent with the values that ultimately made him Superman.
The controversial message from Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van in Superman – YouTube, Luke Davis
Gunn’s interpretation altered that formula.
Instead of simply sending Kal-El to safety, the film introduced the idea that Superman’s Kryptonian parents intended something much darker. While Clark ultimately rejects that path, many fans felt the change fundamentally misunderstood what makes Superman inspiring in the first place.
Fans Have Criticized The Change Since Superman Released
The backlash was immediate.
Across social media, YouTube, and fan forums, many viewers argued that transforming Superman’s origin into a story about overcoming the intentions of his biological parents was unnecessary and damaging to the character.
The criticism wasn’t merely about changing comic book lore.
Superman fighting The Hammer of Boravia in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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For many fans, Superman represents the ultimate American success story, a hero who chooses kindness, self-sacrifice, and hope despite possessing virtually unlimited power. Making his parents secretly send him as a potential conqueror shifted the focus away from those ideals and injected moral ambiguity into a character traditionally celebrated for his moral clarity.
Numerous fans predicted the storyline would eventually be softened, reinterpreted, or outright retconned in future films.
According to Gore, that does not appear to be the case.
James Gunn Appears Unwilling To Back Away From The Decision
If Gore’s comments accurately reflect what appears in Supergirl, it raises a larger question about Gunn’s approach to audience feedback.
One of the recurring criticisms leveled at modern Hollywood franchises is that studios often dismiss fan concerns rather than address them. Whether discussing Star Wars, Marvel, Doctor Who, or other major properties, audiences increasingly feel that their feedback is ignored whenever a controversial creative decision is made.
James Gunn introduces the trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 – YouTube, DC
For critics of Gunn’s DC Universe, Supergirl may become the latest example.
Rather than quietly moving away from a storyline many fans disliked, the film reportedly reinforces it.
That suggests Gunn remains fully committed to his interpretation of Superman’s mythology regardless of the audience response.
Film Threat’s Overall Reaction Was Brutal
The Superman revelation wasn’t the only criticism Gore and Film Threat’s Alan Ng had for the film.
Ng opened the reaction by calling Supergirl “profoundly awful” and said he “didn’t think a movie could be this bad.” He also described Milly Alcock as “100% miscast” in the role of Kara Zor-El.
A screen capture from the Supergirl trailer – YouTube @dcofficial
Gore largely agreed, criticizing the film’s visual presentation, villains, script, and overall tone, while arguing that the movie lacked the heroic ideals audiences traditionally expect from superhero stories.
“There’s no heroism in this movie,” Gore said.
The pair also described the film as dark, depressing, and exhausting, with Gore saying he simply wanted to go home before it ended.
Another Warning Sign For DC Studios
Early reactions are not final reviews, and audiences will ultimately decide for themselves whether Gore’s assessment is fair.
Still, his comments regarding Superman’s controversial origin story may end up generating more discussion than any other part of Film Threat’s reaction.
James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ
The idea that Kal-El was sent to Earth as a conqueror was already one of the most divisive elements of Gunn’s Superman. If Supergirl truly doubles down on that storyline, it may confirm what many skeptical fans have suspected all along: James Gunn has no intention of changing course, no matter how loudly audiences object.
Are you surprised that Supergirl doubles down on this controversial Superman plot point? Sound off and let us know!
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