The enduring debate over whether superheroes should kill has long been a cornerstone of comic book and cinematic lore. The recently released film Supergirl plunges directly into this contentious topic, centering on the titular hero's complex relationship with a young girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll, who harbors a burning desire for vengeance.
Ruthye seeks to kill Krem of the Yellow Hills, a ruthless brigand responsible for the deaths of her entire family. Simultaneously, Supergirl is on a mission to retrieve an antidote for Krypto the Superdog, who is succumbing to a poison administered by Krem. The film's narrative unfolds over its 108-minute runtime with Ruthye’s avowed intent to end Krem’s life, contrasted by Supergirl’s persistent counsel against vengeance. Supergirl argues that killing will not alleviate pain but rather irrevocably damage one's life, a sentiment echoed in discussions about the difference between being merely nice and truly good, or perfect versus kind.
Despite this central thesis, the film culminates in Supergirl herself executing Krem. This act appears to undermine the character's entire developmental arc, which is focused on aligning her actions with her words and learning to cope with profound loss, such as the destruction of her home planet Argo City. Initially, Supergirl is depicted as a reluctant hero, struggling to find her place and avoiding the mantle of her cousin, Kal-El. She grapples with the noise and strangeness of Earth, not embracing it but accepting her destiny to inspire others, even as she works through her own issues.
Her journey is meant to demonstrate that while she may not be perfect, she can be kind, and though not always nice, she can strive to be good. However, this lesson is seemingly abandoned when Supergirl confronts Krem. After incapacitating him and saving Ruthye from his brigands, Supergirl intercepts Krem. During their confrontation, Krem issues a defiant speech, but Supergirl retaliates by stabbing him twice, first declaring, "This is for my dog," and then, "And this is for the little girl whose life you ruined." This violent conclusion occurs as Lobo, a character who had been encouraging Ruthye’s quest for revenge, observes with approval, signaling the triumph of a revenge-driven philosophy over Supergirl’s teachings.
This resolution starkly contrasts with the source material, Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s comic book Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. In the comic, the narrative is partially told through Ruthye’s perspective, revealing her later in life to have written a fictionalized account of their adventures. In the comic's conclusion, Supergirl, having been deeply affected by their pursuit of Krem, ultimately decides that Krem must be dealt with. However, instead of killing him, they opt to imprison Krem in the Phantom Zone. Centuries later, Krem is released and seeks forgiveness from an elderly Ruthye, who then appears to kill him. This ending, while still debated, presents a different emphasis on reform over immediate retribution, with Ruthye initially choosing redemption.
The film's ending also draws parallels to Superman’s controversial decision to kill General Zod in Man of Steel. In that film, Superman snaps Zod's neck, an act justified by some as the action of a younger, less experienced hero learning about the harsh realities of his powers. The prevailing argument, however, is that Superman’s character is defined by his ability to navigate impossible situations without resorting to lethal force. Supergirl's film attempts to impart a similar lesson to Ruthye and herself—finding a moral compass distinct from Superman’s inherent goodness. Yet, the film’s choice to have Supergirl kill Krem seems designed to satisfy audience expectations for a definitive, albeit violent, conclusion, rather than fully exploring the thematic implications of its central moral dilemma.
The film concludes with Superman welcoming Supergirl back to Earth, raising questions about her emotional state and the future direction of her character within the burgeoning DCU. The DCU has previously shown instances where heroes stray from Superman’s strict moral code, hinting at a complex landscape of heroism. Whether Supergirl will align with or diverge from her cousin's path remains to be seen. Ultimately, the theatrical release of Supergirl appears to prioritize a visceral, crowd-pleasing moment at the expense of its own established narrative and thematic integrity, particularly given its repeated assertion that "death is never the answer."