‘Supergirl’ doesn’t just win over Krem, it makes Kara Zor-El one of the most interesting characters in the DCU. The film brings back together Kara and Krypto and sends her back to Earth, but most importantly, it reveals that she’s not like Superman.
Kara doesn’t follow in her cousin’s footsteps, but instead creates her own heroic persona through experience, trauma, and hard choices. She’s not just going home at the end of the film. She’s finally accepting that Earth might become one.
‘Supergirl’ Reinvents Kara Zor-El For DCU’s Next Chapter
Throughout the movie, Kara battles the emotional trauma of surviving the destruction of Krypton. Kara has grown up with the values of the world she lost, unlike Clark Kent, who was raised with the values of the earth.
Related: Before ‘The Batman Part II’, Matt Reeves Has Another Dark Knight Story Ready
This feeling weighs on her mind and influences all her choices. As she saves Ruthye and many innocent ones who fall into Krem’s wrath, her quest to save Krypto slowly evolves into something greater than what she had originally envisioned.
Those acts remind Kara that she can give her life purpose again by helping others. The most surprising moment in the film is when Kara persuades Ruthye not to seek revenge, and then kills Krem herself moments later. It’s a morally ambiguous choice that paves the way between her and Superman’s stance against taking a life.
The movie doesn’t portray Kara as a reckless person, but rather, she feels that certain threats need to be eliminated once and for all if it means saving others. This is an interesting creative decision that immediately presents the DCU with two Kryptonian heroes, who have very different philosophies.
A Bigger Future Awaits The Girl Of Steel
The conclusion definitely leaves the door open for Kara to be a big part of the DCU’s future. After all she has seen and done beyond the stars, she can return to Earth to fight with Superman, join larger teams of superheroes, or explore the universe. Lobo also brings another significant aspect of DC’s cosmic future to the screen.
In case you missed it: New ‘Supergirl’ Footage Teases The Next Major Chapter In DC’s Kryptonian Story
In the next DCU project, Jason Momoa’s bounty hunter left on good terms with Kara, allowing for more potential future interactions. So ‘Supergirl’ is more than just a fight against a bad guy; it’s a quest to find a purpose to keep going after an unspeakable tragedy.
Kara begins the story running from her pain, but ends it embracing the possibility of a new life. The finale is so moving because of that emotional shift. Supergirl isn’t just Superman 2.0. But she comes across as a hero with her own morals, her own scars, and her own space in the DC universe.
In case you missed it: Milly Alcock’s Approach To ‘Supergirl’ Begins By Ignoring One Major Comparison
