During the destruction of Krypton, young Kara Zor-El escapes in a ship after her mother succumbs to Kryptonite poisoning. Years later on Earth, she operates as Supergirl alongside her cousin Superman, though she spends most of her time partying off-world for her twenty-third birthday. While visiting the planet Holzherr, she meets Ruthye Marye Knoll, a survivor seeking revenge against the bandit leader Krem of the Yellow Hills for murdering her family.
Initially, Supergirl refuses to help. However, Krem and his Brigands hijack her ship and shoot her dog Krypto with a poisonous dart. Given only three days to live, Krypto's impending fate forces Supergirl to chase Krem across the galaxy to secure an antidote. She reluctantly takes Ruthye along, navigating encounters with space pirates and bounty hunters while tracking the ruthless bandits through multiple star systems.
What happens at the end of Supergirl?
Key takeaways
Supergirl overcomes her vulnerability under a green sun and defeats the Brigands to retrieve the vital antidote for Krypto.
Ruthye chooses to spare Krem, though Supergirl ultimately takes his life with the sword to end the cycle of vengeance.
After saving her canine companion in time, Supergirl finally decides to embrace Earth as her permanent home alongside Superman.
One interpretation of the ending is that true justice requires moving past personal vendettas to embrace community and belonging.
The final act begins on the planet Barenton, where Supergirl tracks the Brigands but is initially weakened because the world orbits a green sun. Ruthye secretly follows her to this location and tends to her during her vulnerability. Soon after, Ruthye and the bounty hunter Lobo are captured by the Brigands and imprisoned aboard their ship.
Ruthye manages to break out of her cell, frees Lobo, but is captured again by Krem when she reaches the upper decks. Meanwhile, the planet's rotation shifts its sun from green to yellow, allowing Supergirl to recover completely and don her iconic Supergirl suit. She storms the ship, and with Lobo providing crucial assistance, Supergirl defeats the remaining Brigands and liberates all the captive women who were being held as brides.
During the confrontation, Supergirl pleads with Ruthye not to kill Krem, convincing her that vengeance will not ease her suffering. As Ruthye steps back and walks away, Supergirl picks up Ruthye abandoned sword and uses it to strike down Krem herself. She retrieves the antidote from his person and races back to save Krypto just in time.
Following the battle, Supergirl bids a warm farewell to Ruthye, inviting her to celebrate the remainder of her birthday week together. In the closing scenes, some time later, Supergirl returns to Earth and reunites with Superman. She expresses her genuine desire to stay on the planet for the long term, firmly establishing that Earth is truly her home now. The final image of the story shows Supergirl looking toward her future on Earth with a renewed sense of belonging.
What does the ending of Supergirl mean?
The narrative explores deep themes of vengeance, justice, and finding a place to call home. Throughout her journey, Supergirl is pulled between her initial desire for reckless freedom and the heavy responsibilities of protecting others. The central conflict highlights the destructive nature of revenge, as both Ruthye and Supergirl grapple with the urge to punish Krem for his atrocities.
While Supergirl convinces Ruthye to walk away from murder, she ultimately chooses to slay Krem herself, suggesting the burden of hard choices often falls on those with the power to act. One reading of this climax is that true resolution cannot be found through endless cycles of retaliation, but rather through healing and connection. Furthermore, Supergirl's evolution from a drifting wanderer celebrating birthdays across the cosmos to a grounded protector who embraces Earth symbolizes a profound personal maturation. By deciding to settle down alongside Superman, she sheds her alienation and accepts her identity, transforming a harsh exile into a meaningful homecoming.
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Where to watch Supergirl
How
Available on
Rent
Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Buy
Apple TV Store
Listed for region IN. Availability varies by country.
Supergirl ending FAQ
Why does Supergirl go on this interstellar journey?
Supergirl pursues Krem of the Yellow Hills because he shoots her dog Krypto with a poisonous dart during a ship hijacking. She needs to obtain the antidote that Krem keeps on his person in order to save Krypto's life before the three-day time limit expires.
Who is Ruthye Marye Knoll?
Ruthye Marye Knoll is the last surviving member of her family, all of whom were murdered by Krem and his bandit group known as the Brigands. She enlists Supergirl to help her exact vengeance against Krem across several alien planets.
How does Supergirl recover on the planet Barenton?
Supergirl is initially weakened on Barenton because the planet orbits a green sun. She recovers her immense powers when the planet rotates and the sun shifts to a yellow light, allowing her to put on her suit and fight the Brigands.
Does Ruthye kill Krem in the end?
No, Ruthye does not kill Krem. Supergirl convinces her that taking a life will not ease her pain, causing Ruthye to walk away. However, Supergirl then picks up the sword and kills Krem herself to secure the antidote.
Does Supergirl stay on Earth at the end of the movie?
Yes, after saving Krypto and saying goodbye to Ruthye, Supergirl eventually reunites with Superman on Earth. She expresses her clear desire to remain there for the long term, finally accepting the planet as her true home.
Where can I watch Supergirl?
Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video. Buy: Apple TV Store. Availability listed for region IN and varies by country.
Supergirl cast
Actor
Character
Milly Alcock
Supergirl
Eve Ridley
Ruthye
Matthias Schoenaerts
Krem
Jason Momoa
Lobo
David Krumholtz
Zor-El
Emily Beecham
Alura In-Ze
David Corenswet
Superman
Kadiff Kirwan
Bomar Vran
Movie
★ 8.2
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