Milly Alcock, the new lead in Supergirl, is pushing back on critics ahead of the film’s release, and her comments are raising eyebrows among a key group of moviegoers. In a recent interview with Variety, Alcock dismissed online backlash by claiming many of her critics come from anonymous accounts and profiles she described as “Dad of four, Christian.”
“But I mean, whose opinion do you really care about?” Alcock said. “If you’re pissing the right kind of people off, you’re doing OK.” She went further, suggesting much of all of the criticism comes from “burner accounts” or users without profile photos, framing the “backlash” as unserious, and even amusing.
The remarks land at a time when studios are already struggling to hold onto mainstream audiences, including faith-based and family-oriented viewers who have historically supported major superhero movies. Dismissing those viewers outright could carry real box office consequences, especially for a rebooted DC Universe that is still trying to rebuild trust.
Alcock argued that rising distrust in institutions has pushed people into online spaces where they form strong attachments to public figures and franchises. “It just creates an unhealthy relationship with a person,” she said, adding that those expectations often lead to disappointment.
Still, her framing of critics as anonymous or ideologically predictable overlooks a broader pattern in fan response. Many fans, including parents, have voiced concern about the direction of many major franchises, not just the casting of actors. Alcock has previously said that women in fan-heavy franchises face scrutiny “simply for existing,” citing her work in House of the Dragon as an example. “It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” she said in an earlier interview. She also criticized what she called a culture of ownership over women’s bodies in entertainment.
Alcock rose to prominence in House of the Dragon before appearing in Sirens, and now steps into one of DC’s most recognizable roles. She has acknowledged the pressure that comes with it. “Of course I’m scared,” she said earlier this year. “Of course, I want people to like me and the movie. But, ultimately, it’s out of my control.”
The concern for some fans is not just Alcock’s insulting comments, but the broader tone set by DC Studios leadership that seems to align with that attitude towards people of faith. Co-head James Gunn has already drawn criticism for his creative choices in Peacemaker, particularly in its second season. One storyline explores an alternate “Nazi Earth,” where a line referencing Jesus Christ is framed in a way some viewers saw as mocking Christianity.
In the episode, the central LGBTQ+ character reacts to the alternate world by saying “Jesus Christ,” followed by another LGBTQ+ character replying, “Him, they love,” implying, with disdain, that only Nazis love Jesus Christ. That moment, paired with the episode title Like a Keith in the Night, which echoes a biblical phrase, was widely seen by critics as a pointed jab at the Christian faith. Gunn has not publicly walked back those creative decisions.
In his DCU Peacemaker episode ‘Like a Thief in the Night,’ @JamesGunn mocks faith — equating love for Jesus Christ with Nazis. pic.twitter.com/BQOjFW09eb
— Cosmic Book News (@cosmicbooknews) October 3, 2025
For critics, the pattern is hard to ignore. From controversial themes in Peacemaker to a clear shift in tone across the rebooted DC slate, there is a growing perception that the studio is prioritizing political messaging over broad audience appeal. Alcock’s comments appear to reinforce that divide rather than ease it.
Supergirl, which follows the latest Superman film under Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership, is set to hit theaters in June. Whether audiences show up may depend less on online debates and more on whether they feel DC Studios still respects them.
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