The Music Choice Defining Supergirl’s New Cinematic Vision
Every major superhero trailer needs a hook, and for the upcoming Supergirl movie, it arrives in the form of a soulful classic. As the trailer unfolds, revealing glimpses of Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Jason Momoa taking on the wild role of Lobo, and the fan-favorite canine companion Krypto, a profound music cue signals a deeper thematic core.
Classic Motown: More than Nostalgia
At the center of this emotional reveal is ‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted’ by Jimmy Ruffin. This Motown gem originated in 1966 and reverberates with themes of loss and searching for solace after heartbreak. While its vintage roots ground it in the past, its inclusion in the Supergirl trailer charges it with new relevance—bridging generations of comic fans and cinephiles. Ruffin’s iconic voice and the song’s history in shows like The Wonder Years and Big Little Lies highlight its enduring impact on pop culture, but it’s the placement here that allows the track to gain a powerful new meaning.
Why This Song Resonates with Supergirl’s Story
This isn’t just a clever needle drop. The choice of ‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted’ delves into Kara’s fractured journey. The trailer shows Superman reaching out to his cousin, asking her to remain on Earth to discover her community. Quick-cut to a desperate scene after Krypto is shot and poisoned, the music begins, underscoring Kara’s sense of isolation and the magnitude of her loss. Krypto is not just a pet—in the absence of Krypton, he is Kara’s last tie to her origins.
The storyline pulls from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely—a modern classic where Kara, wrestling with her own trauma, finds herself aiding Ruthye, a young girl bent on avenging her father’s death. The song’s lyrics invite viewers to empathize with both Kara and Ruthye, both lost in a world without their families and struggling to find their places.
The Emotional Impact: Stakes for Kara and Krypto
While comic book movies often lean on action and spectacle, this trailer highlights something more: the raw emotional core driving Supergirl. Krypto’s fate is set as a ticking clock—Kara must find the antidote within three days, making her mission deeply personal. The song’s melancholy phrases reflect Kara’s own struggle: not just with world-ending threats, but with the pain of losing everything, mirroring her companion’s peril.
James Gunn’s Influence: Music as Storytelling
The fingerprints of DC’s creative leadership are evident. James Gunn, celebrated for weaving classic rock into intricate character arcs in other superhero titles, continues his tradition here—selecting music not for nostalgia alone, but as a key tool in storytelling. While Supergirl’s journey isn’t dominated by a single music era, the trailer’s choice demonstrates that the right song can reveal new narrative layers, shaping audience expectations well before release.
Cast, Crew, and What’s Next for DC
Directed by Craig Gillespie and penned by Ana Nogueira, Otto Binder, Tom King, Al Plastino, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Bilquis Evely, this new iteration of Supergirl promises both emotional depth and comic book spectacle. The cast features not only Milly Alcock as the titular hero but also Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem and Eve Ridley as Ruthye, ensuring a compelling ensemble to bring this epic to life. Jason Momoa’s Lobo injects a chaotic edge, promising fans a unique collision between cosmic misfits and heartfelt drama.
Supergirl is poised to be a new cornerstone for the DC Universe, using every tool—from soundtrack to storytelling—to explore what makes a hero in a world full of loss, hope, and the need for belonging.
