Supergirl 2026 as a standalone is an okay movie at bet(6 to 6.5/10) as an adaption it's horrible especially with how it handles Krem of the yellow hills a very underrated complex character
To start way smarter people have critiqued it better I recommend some youtubers who bring takes on issues I may have forgot about or if you want more detail on it's issues or shorter easier to understand funny way
Hitop films is more about the writing issues while Ali is more of an expert on Supergirl and there very new so any support would help. I'm not really a huge fan of Pitch Meeting stuff as much as I like the guy he tends dumb down stuff sometimes he is better with mid and objectively bad movies and disagree a bit of stuff like when he says it's bad Krem shoot the dog with a poison that will slowly kill him instead of instantly killing him when Krem is shown as someone who takes joy in torturing anything plus Krypto can resit a lot being kryptonian and the alien was the one that confirmed it would take 3 days not that Krem shoot him with something that takes 3 days specifically.
Hitop flims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svuvte-vAww.
Ali's Comic Corner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmCRWM52RZw&t=6s.
Pitch Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXdaOo7CLyg
I read the book almost twice boring for me at first really enjoyed it later it overexplains a lot with Ruthie no matter how obvious it is and tells instead of shows her relationship with her Dad and discrimination she faced being poor the middle and ending did bring it back up for me.
It works in most cases given Ruthie is an unreliable narrator on others it just keeps the movie from it's potienal it's still an 8/10 at least an 8.5 max I could be wrong but I recommend those haven't read it give it a chance. I'll be going into good later but I brought this up to show the book isn't amazing or even that great improving and instead of taking what worked which is what adaptation should do it often doubles down on the worst dumbs down the messages and lessons or forgets it entirely and isn't impressive or even good on it's own likeable sure. I'll be going mostly how it butchers them as adaptations and even they don't stand well or on there own.
KREM OF THE YELLOW HILLS
The first part was posted when just a few clips and the design showed up but the movie made it worse.
The design is meant to be average to the point of forgettable he isn't special or tough by any means just another mediocre man given authority and tools he shouldn't have nor earned by catering to people worse sides which could easily ended with the purples finding him unworthy and deciding to throw him and other prisoners with the minorities they sacrificed so he isn't really smart and he is practically powerless without them and confuses himself with someone important. Perhaps to feel better about himself or cope with how terrible he is. They made him appear human and didn't go overboard with his design to show that even in this vast beautiful designed advanced alien word the evil we see in man with corrupt cops cartel members etc Tough behind a crowd or a weapon people still exist and very prevalent a theme behind the book a lot as shown with the non subtle Jim crow call back with the blues. In fact the reason he killed Ruthie dad was because he was reminded of how unimportant he is by someone who doesn't know who he really is and did his job. Turning him into a creepy monster with a cool suit. Sidenote they did the opposite with others Ruthie looked human sure but she has a unique design and culture as shown from the items she dresses with her and her red eyes and her helmet.
The movie made this way worse making him a leader and even were planning to add a backstory where he got abused by his dad making him evil if they have time. I have had plenty of abusers who had family who there abusers who made them like this. I'm fully aware I could turn into someone as bad if don't put in the work to help myself and using abuse in a story could spread more awareness that abuse even sexual abuse isn't as simple as people including myself used to think. Abusers can be former victims and even be currently abused victims even SA victims can be abuse and how you can understand the reasons the cycle even feel bad without excusing issue is but it also has to be treated with care and not just an easy way to add ''depth'' to a villain rather than giving them depth.
For one Bloodsport Peacemaker Abaddyo Dr. Frankenstein etc already fill that role so adding that would make him less unique. Which the comic did by not giving him a story krem is distributed yes but his childhood isn't shown because he is meant to show anybody regardless of background could end up like him parents who neglected him because they worked hard all day if he grew up poor or if he was an orphan or if he was just a spoiled rich kid or parents who did everything right and he was just bored with an average life or born bad. I know it's not in the movie but I do believe it would be as poorly handled as almost everything else and further shows the writer misunderstanding Krem villains without backstories and abuse as a storypoint.
Without the Brigidians inviting him it's possible he wouldn't get enough kills to get the Mordu globe and he wouldn't even be much of a threat than your average gangster. Ruthie dad reminded him what a loser he is nobody even recognizes him because he isn't any special in the gang just another face and only came for him out of loyalty but as shown in the ending not only did they soon give up but even without him hundreds of years into the future there still around and have bought the story Ruthie wrote that Supergirl killed him. He lost nearly his whole life maybe he changed and despite his attempts to apologize Ruthie refuses to forgive him and humiliated him and only has himself to blame while the gang moved on without him.
Brigidians can represent a lot of organizations like Cartel Triads or maybe even a corrupt country or government or even the concept of evil it can exist if one hitman serial killer politician or foot soldier goes to jail just fine everyone forgot him to and he is only left with his mistakes at the end the damage he dealt and no way to really to atone or be forgiven for them. He probably won't even have enough time to enjoy his freedom or even get used to world so much has changed probably when he was gone and he has nobody to guide him or spend those last days all for what? They only came to fight Supergirl not out of loyalty to him but because by taking him they were being disrespected and shown how there not as all powerful as they act and quickly flee once Supergirl starts winning.
You can be good as your own thing right except Krem isn't. In fact it's hard to take him seriously as a threat. I know nothing about Ruthie family and her suffering as I will explain later isn't done that well so it's hard to care and what instantly follows her scene is Supergirl having a party and playing with Krypto.
We learn nothing more about Krem over the movie except he does human trafficking which doesn't change anything his personality or lore is still just I enjoy evil and feels like a attempt at shock value rather than to add something to him and the other characters. They still want to kill him anyway. No insecurities no significant rivalries outside of main characters goals or conflicts no expanded life before the movie nothing.
Take Deep in Boys S1 he abuses woman because of his insecurities of his gills being dumb and pretty lame powers as well as being treated like shit by his colleagues Mom and superiors even when he is trying to do good like helping sea animals and he still messes it up he humiliates woman to feel strong like the people he feels mistreated him even though he has enough social skills wealth looks and fame to easily get all the sex he wants even from Starlight a fan of him and gets angry when Starlight is still mad and assumes she would move on because it's part of the business that people should put up with anything. There is also hints of self sabotage there having a fear of genuine relationship or belief that he can so he ruins it before he can risk it as he is too used to being miserable yes he has much more time but you can think of smaller characters who get more with there sexual evil as well as there victims or other characters than just shock value.
Love don't cost a thing 2003: Paris boyfriend is a cheater we never seen much romance between them because their relationship is shallow on both sides. There only dating each other because their expected too and on logic and social side it makes sense. Paris is rich beautiful girl she is a perfect prize for a pro football player to complete the dream life. While for Paris he is good investment so even after she will still have the lavish lifestyle without much or any work thanks to her looks. We see how she uses her looks and status to get out of consequences like joyriding and wrecking her mom's car(I think) when left alone. Plus neither of them spend much or any time together further selling the idea their relationship is really just appearances. So when she bonds with Alvin she has something real through a fake relationship. Eventually sees Alvin turing into someone like her boyfriend her and the rest of her friends and exposes him which allows him to make things right with his real friends who still stuck by him than ending up stuck in performative friendships.
Paris already finds out or is somewhat aware he is cheating on her with a crowd of woman but just puts up with it for the benefits being with Alvin who she found as pathetic at first taught her relationships can be more than something shallow while her boyfriend finds about Alvin he barely cares and pulls the same manipulative tactics because he assumes she would have little respect for herself and come back because it's what's expected he is more angry about the fact it was done with a loser like Alvin than the fact she did it and none of his friends told him or done anything about it despite everyone knowing.
He isn't anything scary because as pitch meeting says Supergirl constantly has to be nerfed because she would wipe the floor with him in a instant sometimes in ways that don't make sense Lobo wasn't even harmed by him and Ruthie a child who is pretty much human and got easily restrained in a previous scene by one guy and got caught trying to sneak off on the Krypton planet nearly killed him was saved by Supergirl in both scenes instead of her telling Lobo to seriously injure him or just tackling him instead of Ruthie.
Supergirl who doesn't trust and sees the worst in everyone chooses to accept a drink from the parents in a shady planet without checking if it's poisoned and these parents say they did it for trade but also instantly try to help her and they have no reason to believe he would keep there end of the bargain and Supergirl has shown to be powerful and already working with Lobo an expert bounty hunter who they have seen and heard his stories. If he were meant to be weak another thug sure it could work but the movie and other characters describe him as ruthless powerful leader.
Maybe he is strategic threat like Luthor oh no he tutored under Sister Sage at BvS Luthor academy of I'm only smart because the writers turned everyone into morons and things happen to go my way despite how they shouldn't until the writers says not.
Supergirl not only taking the drink when he gets there and it not being a trap or her faking it but also him not putting any kryptonite in it as well despite the parents saying the Bridgians gave them the poison as while as her letting him get away and saving him twice. She doesn't think to work with Lobo sooner and instead goes on her own and trusts random aliens who tried to force themselves on ruthie. Good thing she didn't force the aliens to take her to Krem way sooner when she was with Lobo and Ruthie. Good thing Ruthie parents didn't tell there kids to hide and then just blow up the ship which hurt him maybe even used a few on him and stab him while distracted with the swords made of strongest steel while he was coming and they had time to plan.
Good thing she was dumb enough to fall for the Krypton planet trap she couldn't have one check if there a trap and to put a type of suit on and why didn't just attack or capture Kara while she was on the ground instead of letting her get away. Why didn't Krem or his men just track Ruthie when she was bringing water to where Supergirl is hiding or even try to torture her with the Poison they talked about in the start they keep the antidote to taunt them? Why not have Ruthie and Lobo watched even through cameras or put them in separate jails since there both there to kill him and his sidekick and Supergirl could come free them anytime.
I don't even know why Krem is leader of the group how is he taken any more seriously he isn't much stronger he isn't richer or any smarter and even Lobo a professional bounty hunter is after another random guy not him. So he isn't special in this gang and he doesn't have any notable interactions with them and you don't get the feeling they are in danger. He will make a speech take disrespect and won't retaliate try to torture them even delaying the kill to talk until someone comes to save them a lot or leaving.
WORLDBUILDING
The world itself is meant to be bright and colorful to contrast with how dark and unforgiving it is on the inside with the majority of people only concerned for themselves and just 2 young girls are trying to manage understanding their place in it just like with mayvile were everyone tries to pretend everything is fine. Think how in the Watchmen Boys or in Invincible their silly suits or even how they might talk or they environment contrast with the horrible things they going through and/or doing. Over here it's dark and glomming with most of the ones encountered looking dressing and talking like people even their ships and hideouts designed like it.
During the comic we explore a lot of different cultures tragedies rules even dangers like instead of another thieves and murderers it's a dragon that feasts it on technology of the ship the Blues racism issue and keeping a wholesome image to hide there guilt over destroying a whole race even those inferior and lashing it out at any mention. or the Giants being honorable warriors. Instead of Red sun showing other weakness to kryptonians which made it more interesting to see how they especially Ruthie would survive while expanding on the lore of the superman since he had enemies who built it. Here it's a boring dessert like no lighting or creatures to gawk at. Almost everything looks the same even as earth places the danger is just space mobsters. Not just we learn more about the world but so does Ruthie and Supergirl.
Both of them have there own tragedies and found it in them to empathize with others and find purpose even in something as small as giving soup to a disabled patient or letting a giant beat them up so she could feel better.
Yes you could say the comic is long but the movie is an adaption and should have made it a mini series or even longer movie. Movies like Guardians of the Galaxy 1 had it way better we saw the Nova corps and Space Pirates who expolit kids and except to be rewarded for the bare minimum even learned a little history on Kree Oppression the stones and Ronan alliance with Thanos leader of Chinaturi. Alien diversity meant something. Like Drax people taking everything literally and being genocided and even side hustlers. It felt more alive and you got to see more.
Hurts even more that it took only 3 days to explore all of that.
RUTHIE
Ruthie just feels very bland I understand she is secondary character in one kinda short movie but there isn't much personality to her her dialogue is often the same talking about her backstory. I want to kill Krem notmuch to that and murder is wrong even though I killed plenty and so have others including kids. Her flaws aren't too expanded and why she decided murder is wrong.
I'll talk about her comic book counterpart
Her way of speaking has her over complicating everything to seem more grown up and professional despite her clear baby face and lack of understanding of the world makes not only for a lot of funny moments to get across the idea of how cold this world is she has to seek Justice for her own dad who the world cares so little about someone who did everything so right even by his corrupt country rules someone who looks like she should be finger-painting watching barbie etc has to get her own Justice with not even her own mother arguing back against it despite that Ruthie knows she would easily get killed and throws herself head first.
While getting us to know she wants people to think she is way smarter than she is so they don't look down on her for her background as dirt farmer even though at the start she kinda of does the same even lecturing Supergirl on if she every lost anybody like her during there first fight forgetting about Krypton in the moment because she was so angered.
There so poor her Mother is fine throwing her out with one less mouth to feed and her brothers are once again depending on the Gods to deliver their Justice for them as an excuse not to take action themselves despite as shown with Ruthie and her Mom blank look they know nothing is going to down. As well as to downplay how vulnerable and hurt she is to others and seem more than simple dirt farmer over her. Supergirl is kinda of like the Mom she never had. She lost her family simply because Krem wanted to kill someone not because he was offended on being reminded of how much of a forgettable and unimportant man he is by another forgettable and unimportant man who made peace with it even takes pride in it according to Ruthie when talking about the discrimination they faced as dirt farmers which helps us understand her grief more despite barley knowing the guy.
She hides behind Supergirl to handle her problems for her even to scare a guy to quit leaning on her. She is an edgelord who talks about how she fantasises of Krem being at her feet and apologizing promising to devout his life to good and then brutally killing him but she is honorable enough to give him a fair fight. I could go into way more.
In the movie her family have little characterization just disposable wife trope and she doesn't have much either. Wait Ruthie also her turn from scared girl hiding behind Supergirl no it's completely unearned and her personality doesn't change much either. She just changes into a warrior all of sudden. Who despite being easily held by just one guy when Krem attacked drunk Supergirl and also easily getting spotted yet when the plot demands she who is shown to be human strength or similar is able to easily strangle a guy while cuffed mind you someone whose gang can take hits from Supergirl and Lobo. As well as breaking out of Krem's grasp and beating a bunch of his thugs. She chooses to not kill Krem for what reason because she is still good Ruthie has killed in self defense and she believes Supergirl is good who has killed people and later kills Krem. It's just so forced.
Supergirl only knows her for 3 days where as the comics they were around for months giving Supergirl time to teach her sword fighting which she easily did while drunk and depowered and Ruthie to learn from her obsessive watching over her her past as a dirt farmer building her pain tolerance. Also when you have development for stuff there has to be a believable catalyst
Ruthie in the comic while on the planet has to be one to protect Supergirl because she is sick from the red sun planet designed to destroy Superman and they have to wait until night to leave when it's usually the other way and she can't half ass things because someone's life her mentor and mother figure is on the line despite there many arguments which forces her to be creative and patient as the animals are far bigger and stronger as well as using her insane pain tolerance that was established in the first chapter were she easily swam across a dangerous lake while carrying heavy equipment and risking being eaten.
It's major to her growth of growing more as a intelligent warrior rather than acting like it and letting Supergirl handle challenges for her as well or throwing herself at it because she doesn't care if she dies or gets hurt.
So her training so when she beats Krem later it makes sense she learned not to depend on her intellect and unpredictable fighting sure could used some more training scenes of Supergirl teaching Ruthie how to fight given she is shown to be good with a sword even while drunk but it overall worked and shows Ruthie maturity discipline and willingness to push on no matter how helpless counters Krem who hides behind numbers weapons or picking on smaller opponent and hasn't been in real fight in awhile. While Supergirl gives her the support and a hand when she needs it. It's also how Supergirl treats her more than a child. Ruthie comes to lesson that she doesn't want to kill Krem and even convinces Supergirl not to.
If only there was a short say 3 minute scene maybe given some of her background issues with family that wasn't deleted.
LOBO
I understand his role is the guy who corrupts her however for that role to work and he was originally supposed to be in the comic. Lobo doesn't even have any interest outside the prison scene Ruthie would have to admire or relate to him or envy him. Maybe Lobo gets more time to have him but heads with Supergirl and show confliction over her on which side to pick. As well as him having no nuance of course Ruthie would end up to go with her friend Kara then go who killed his own planet and she doesn't do anything wrong in that scene just defends herself hard seeing it as a darker turn. You could say it's a compromise to work with a man a lot like Krem just for revenge but the movie doesn't frame that as a bad thing even Supergirl does.
However she doesn't she just goes with him to find Krem and takes out the guard on her own. You can easily have her make that choice on her saying Supergirl is not enough and going rouge. In fact you can remove Lobo as fun as he is and the story would be better for it. Ruthie can mess with something that blows up the ship a little freeing Supergirl and most goes the same.
Batman vs Robin with Talon a shorter movie has it better you don't really need the prequel much. Robin is shown to be disobedient of Batman he spent his entire life raised to kill for the greater good an over controlling mother who assaulted his dad which is why he was born which as we find out later in movies bruce held anger at the Damian hates himself for it doesn't help she told him when he turned 10. Now Batman wants him to drop everything he learned his whole life instantly is secretive of him and keeps traps to have him locked up inside and assumed he killed the Dollmaker and lashes out instantly despite that he followed orders and it was Talon but he doesn't apologize and expects Damian to go along with whatever he says.
Talon like Damian was raised as a weapon his whole life he just traded one abusive dad for a whole cult. Talon even sees Damian as a younger version of himself and wants to help him avoid being exploited and treated like thrash like the court did to him shaming him for not wanting to die to become an lobotomized solider and girlfriend who manipulates him but refuses to stick up for him when it matters but repeats the cycle without knowing. He gives Damian the freedom to go where he wants takes interests in what he likes and feeds into his urges while helping him justify it as both want to get rid of criminals. Damian beats a mob boss to near death but stops despite Talon egging him on tells Nightwing his dad loves him more because there blood and he just has pity for him but he is also challenged by Batman more like when Talon offers him a choice and Damian chooses to fight and try to kill him so Talon can escape and Bruce goes easy on him even saving him twice and choosing to trust Damian to pick the right choice and takes more accountability for pushing him while still letting him know he can make his own choices Talon didn't make him do anything. Which Talon doesn't and as we see plenty is another victim turned abuser to keep the cycle even trying to kill Damain's family and turn him into lobotomized solider.
I get it's a short movie by why introduce Lobo or any corrupter if not paying it off in satisfying way it doesn't have to be this fleshed out.
SUPERGIRL
Easily the best written character in the movie that's not a high bar and very likeable. I already covered her mostly in the others. Her drunk scenes seems like a fun party where she is popular and at home she having a blast with Krypto this comes after a scene where Krem murders Ruthie family. The tone is off her yes the comic made jokes but they introduced her as lonely sukling in a corner most of it was were more focused on tragedy side loneliness drinking away her issues or any distraction from how miserable it is Over here it's almost painted is something as cool and quirky. I liked the Argo city plotline but it's not only butchers Woman of tomorrow but her history in general.
What she has over Kal is that she remembered what Krypton was and the people there before Argo city. How she broke her own legs with hammers fighting a losing battle watching everyone she loves dies which is why she relates to Ruthie obsession and doesn't want that life for her as even if Ruthie killed Krem the cost would be a lot to get there. I'm fine with changing the Krypto plot a bit even though it does show Supergirl addressing Ruthie problems in her way at the start she is just saying what Clark like she is reading a script sounds robotic and you can tell she doesn't actually believe it so Ruthie meltdown led to her making up the dog excuse so she can still have a reason to guide her in her own way as someone who used to be like her rather than just letting repeating a generic don't kill because it's wrong why.
Supergirl says it would corrupt her revenge won't make her happy and no turning back but we never see why she learned or would believe this you think an obvious reveal that she avenged her planet instead of getting justice and has nothing left or knows someone who did something like that and how it hurt them but no. She just does because the movie needs it.
As well as supergirl adaptations keeps forgetting she is Clark older cousin she was sent to not only live but help him and instead she lost that and now Clark is the mentor figure. So the one thing she has is gone what is her point of being alive?(In her eyes). It also easily adds more to why she disobeys him and doesn't take him as seriously he is still a baby and she should be teaching him.
Like I explained her issues with Ruthie killing don't work she doesn't attempt to restrain her on another planet or strand her with the doctor alien. She brings Ruthie a long knowing Ruthie would be in places where she would have to kill. She gets a guard to fall on the poison spikes and uses her sword lethally so it's just trope of the hero gets to kill the henchman but not the main villain that set them on this path. As well as Supergirl approving of the trafficked kids operating a machine gun and killing there abusers but Ruthie can't kill.