Helen Slater shares her thoughts on the new Supergirl movie

Helen Slater made her mark as the first live-action Supergirl on the big screen in 1984. More than 40 years later, she has weighed in on the character’s newest big-screen return.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Slater praised Milly Alcock, the actress now carrying the cape in the DC Universe. Her comments arrive at a closely watched moment for the franchise and its future.

Slater praises the reboot

Slater did not hold back when discussing the new film with reporters this week. She told The Hollywood Reporter she loved it without hesitation. She called Alcock astonishing and praised her fierce energy and sharp comic timing on screen.

Her enthusiasm stood out sharply amid a wave of mixed reviews and public criticism of the movie. This was not a sudden change of heart for the veteran actress either. Slater cheered Alcock’s casting back in 2024, long before filming ever wrapped on the project.

She posted on Instagram, calling her luminous and promising fans that the DC Universe was ready for her talent. That early support has clearly carried through to today and shaped her public comments now.

A rocky box office start

The new Supergirl opened well under expectations at the domestic box office this year. Estimates place the debut weekend near $37 million in total ticket sales nationwide. That number falls well short of the $125 million opening earned by 2025’s Superman.

It marked a genuinely tough start for a film many hoped would build momentum for the franchise. DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran acknowledged the shortfall in an interview with The New York Times this week. He downplayed suggestions that the wider DC Universe plan was already in serious trouble.

Studio leaders still see a long road ahead for the franchise built around James Gunn’s creative vision. Executives remain confident that one soft opening will not define the entire slate of upcoming films.

Political backlash divides fans

Beyond box-office numbers, the film also became a target of online political commentary. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly criticized what she described as the “forced” girlboss era after Supergirl’s box-office debut, arguing that audiences were tired of that kind of messaging in modern blockbusters.

Alcock had discussed the pressures of entering another high-profile franchise in interviews before the film’s release. Her comments to Vanity Fair about visibility, scrutiny, and staying true to herself became part of the wider public conversation around the movie.

Alcock’s journey to stardom

Milly Alcock built her name playing young Rhaenyra Targaryen on HBO’s House of the Dragon. She also appeared in Netflix’s Sirens before leading Supergirl in the DC Universe.

Alcock made a brief DC Universe debut in 2025’s Superman before headlining her own film in 2026. She has also been reported as returning as Kara Zor-El in Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman follow-up.

Fun fact: Slater later earned a doctorate in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology.

Slater’s 1984 Supergirl role

Slater’s original Supergirl arrived as a spin-off from the Christopher Reeve Superman film series. She played Kara Zor-El and trained extensively for the physically demanding role.

Slater has recalled gaining 15 pounds of muscle while preparing for the part. The 1984 film underperformed commercially, earning about $14.3M domestically, and it did not receive a theatrical sequel.

Decades of DC history

Slater never fully left the DC world after her debut in the original film. She appeared on Smallville as Lara-El and later played Eliza Danvers on The CW’s Supergirl, which ran from 2015 to 2021.

In 2023, she returned briefly in The Flash, appearing in a cameo connected to classic DC screen history. Her long association with Supergirl and DC gives her recent praise for Alcock added meaning for longtime fans.

Critics and fans disagree

Reviews for the new Supergirl have been mixed among professional critics. Variety’s review called the film “super-horrendous” and criticized its script, while other reviews were more positive about Milly Alcock’s performance than the movie around her.

Audience reaction has been more favorable in some online ratings, with many viewers singling out Alcock’s performance as a bright spot. The broadest criticism has focused more on the story and script than on Alcock’s casting.

Looking toward the future

A disappointing opening weekend makes a quick solo sequel uncertain for Supergirl. Still, Kara Zor-El appears likely to remain part of the larger DC Universe story.

Alcock has been reported as returning as Supergirl in Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman follow-up. James Gunn and Peter Safran continue shaping the franchise despite Supergirl’s rocky box-office start, and Slater’s public support has added a warmer note to the conversation around Alcock’s performance.

Little-known fact: The original 1984 poster mistakenly shows the Statue of Liberty holding her torch in the wrong hand.

TL;DR

• Helen Slater, who starred as Supergirl in 1984, publicly praised Milly Alcock’s new DC performance.
• The new Supergirl opened below expectations, earning about $37.1M domestically in its opening weekend.
• Megyn Kelly criticized the film’s tone, adding to the wider political backlash around the release.
• Alcock has been reported as returning as Kara Zor-El in Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman follow-up.
• Critics were mixed on the film, but many reviews singled out Alcock’s performance as a highlight.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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