- Primary Subject: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026 Movie)
- Key Update: The upcoming film will explore the clashing personalities of Kara Zor-El and Superman, fueled by Kara's past trauma and jealousy of Clark's inner peace.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 12, 2026
- Quick Answer: Supergirl and Superman clash because Kara's tragic past makes her cynical, leaving her envious of Clark Kent's optimistic nature and freedom from personal demons.
Fans will once again see Kara Zor-El and her cousin, Kal-El, in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow after her brief cameo in Superman.
As the film explores more of the two heroes’ dynamic, viewers will see that they actually have clashing personalities.
So, why don’t Supergirl and Superman get along? Here’s how their relationship works.
Are Supergirl and Superman Close?
Sure, Kara Zor-El and Kal-El are both superheroes and cousins, but they differ greatly from one another.
Most notably, the two have very different outlooks on life. Kara is far more jaded and cynical because of her experiences and past trauma.
At one point in the Supergirl trailer, she even appears to mock her cousin for being overly optimistic and always trying to do the right thing.
With such a stark contrast between them, how does their relationship work?
“I think that Kara really, I don’t know if it admires or is jealous. It’s like a combination of the two words,” Supergirl star Milly Alcock told ComicBook. “I think that she desires his freedom within himself that she doesn’t have.”
Compared to Kal-El, who appears more established and confident in who he is, Kara is still struggling to find her place in the world.
“I think that she sees that Clark can move through the world being exactly who he is without being interfered with by his own personal demons,” Alcock explained. “And I think that she’s a bit jealous of that, and she’d aspire to have that.”
Will Kara Become Like Superman in Supergirl?
Kara Zor-El and Clark Kent had very different childhoods and upbringings. Clark, despite being sent to Earth from Krypton, was raised by loving parents who taught him the importance of kindness and seeing the good in everyone.
Kara's experience could not have been more different. Rather than growing up in a loving environment, she witnessed the destruction of her home world and the deaths of many of her loved ones.
Given these vastly different experiences, it is easy to understand why they have such contrasting personalities.
However, with Kara embarking on her own journey in Supergirl, it is possible that she will undergo a major transformation that helps her discover who she truly is.
In fact, the film's tagline, "Find Your Place in the Universe," suggests that Kara will finally find her purpose.
Throughout the movie, she is not only determined to save her dog, Krypto, but also to confront the pain and trauma of her past. With everything she has endured, the story appears set to explore how she processes her grief and learns to move forward.
She may also receive help from Ruthye Marye Knoll, whose own tragic past allows her to relate to Kara's struggles.
So while Kara may never be exactly like Superman, Supergirl could mark a significant turning point in her life–one that changes both her outlook and her future.
Supergirl premieres on June 26, 2026.
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