As is the unfortunate case with many women-led superhero movies, Supergirl has been subject to lots of misogynistic commentary. The new film has its flaws, but it’s otherwise a solid movie with compelling emotion and great action. Supergirl’s mere existence, however, means it’s often held to a higher standard than superhero movies with a male protagonist. So it can’t simply be good or average. Anything less than phenomenal is unacceptable.
Supergirl’s imperfections have become overblown and exaggerated. The discourse isn’t even always a legitimate critique about narrative quality and film-making technique. Sometimes, it includes irrelevant personal attacks on the women who brought the movie to life — especially DCU’s Kara Zor-El actress, Milly Alcock.
Supergirl screenwriter Ana Nogueira has also been criticized, receiving claims that her script was bad and hurt the film. But of the primary problems that Supergirl had, the script wasn’t one of them. In fact, several lines are standout moments that continue to resonate even more than a week after seeing the movie.
From heartfelt proclamations to powerful messages, the following lines are proof that Nogueira’s Supergirl script is better than people say.
MORE: Supergirl Review: A Movie About Grief Overshadowed by People’s Hatred of Women
“Clark sees the good in people. I see the truth.”
This line from Kara perfectly distinguishes what makes her different from her cousin. Supergirl and Superman comparisons are inevitable and understandable, but it’s important that Kara gets to be her own character. Kara has experienced grief and loss that Clark Kent never has, and it has shaped her into who she is and how she sees life. It’s a simple line that’s honest and heartfelt but sad all at the same time.
“Krypton didn’t die in a day. The gods are not that kind.”
Alcock delivers these words in such a melancholic and earnest manner, which elevates their impact. It’s natural to think of death as a singular moment when a life ceases. But this line, which comes directly from the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series, describes death as a process. It captures the agonizing torture and betrayal of a slow death and while explaining Kara’s mindset.
She says these words to Eve Ridley’s Ruthye Marye Knoll, and it’s important that she doesn’t hold back on the truth. Before, Kara hadn’t been completely honest with Ruthye about her background. But, by deciding to tell Ruthye the truth without sugarcoating anything, Kara also makes an inadvertent choice to guide and teach her. Ruthye saw her family’s death firsthand. It was traumatic but relatively quick. Kara’s experience with Krypton and her parents teaches Ruthye to consider other perspectives and how vast the universe is.
“You are our souls unfolding into the future.”
Zor-El’s message to his daughter at this point in Supergirl is a final lesson of sorts. He has just told Kara that he’s dying of radiation poisoning, like her mother did, but is working to save her from that. Their conversation about that, as a whole, is really well done, but Zor-El’s line about Kara being the way he and her mother get to live on is so powerful. It’s a testament to love, legacy, and honoring your family.
“You’re not always nice, but you’re kind. And you’re not always perfect, but you’re good.”
One of the best parts of Supergirl is how authentic Kara is. She’s not fake or deceptive, and she’s far from perfect. She’s messy, lost and overwhelmed with grief. She tries to hide behind her trauma at times, but she can’t hide her goodness.
When Ruthye says this line, it encapsulates the film’s coming-of-age theme. Ruthye sees Kara for who she is, recognizes the hero the Kryptonian is, and acknowledges her potential for more. It also reiterates the idea that Kara doesn’t need to be some flawless optimist to make an impact in the same way Superman is a symbol of hope. Ruthye’s words help Kara discover who she is and what she has to offer.
“Your life is your revenge.”
In the new Supergirl film, Kara continually pleads with Ruthye to not kill Krem. But it isn’t until this line toward the end of the movie (naturally) that Ruthye realizes why that’s the right thing to do. Kara’s words emphasize the power and gift of life, shifting the focus to whose life actually matters in the scenario: Ruthye’s.
In some ways, Kara giving Ruthye this message feels like her way of imparting the wisdom Zor-El gave her, because both messages are about valuing one’s own life. Kara’s life is how her parents still live on, and Ruthye’s life can be how her family still lives on. Ruthye doesn’t have to subject herself to the darkness of killing and carrying that for the rest of her life. She can carry memories of her family and opportunities to live a life that honors them.
Supergirl is now in theaters.
