Warning: This article contains spoilers for Superman.Supergirl’s DC Universe debut at the end of Superman makes one earlier scene in the film retrospectively all the sadder. Superman‘s DCU movie cast brought in a wide array of comic characters, but arguably the most exciting addition was that of Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, who appeared in the Superman movie ending.

Though we didn’t get to see much of the character’s actual heroic endeavors – since her DCU debut sees a drunk Supergirl come pick up Krypto before leaving just as swiftly – this sequence in the movie does add some major context to what came before. As it stands, said context appears to make one major scene significantly sadder looking back now.

Superman Being Angry About Krypto’s Kidnapping Already Makes Sense For The DCU Movie

Superman introduces Krypto in its first few minutes – but we only get to see the super-dog’s true owner in the film’s closing scenes, some two hours later. During Superman‘s last on-screen visit to the Fortress of Solitude, it’s confirmed he’s been looking after Krypto for Supergirl, who’s been planet-hopping in order to get drunk on worlds with red suns.

This makes it all the more interesting to note that Krypto almost wasn’t there for Kara to pick up. Indeed, Krypto was only in the Fortress when Supergirl returned thanks to the Man of Steel hunting her beloved dog down after Lex Luthor kidnapped Krypto during his infiltration of the Fortress of Solitude at the start of the film.

Superman confronting Lex is one of the very few times we see him genuinely overcome with rage in the film, seeming angrier here than he does in many of his actual fights. It’s clear this is partly because he considers Krypto an innocent victim of Lex’s hatred for him, but it doesn’t appear this is the only reason.

Though Superman’s rage makes sense in terms of Krypto being a lovable – if somewhat unruly – pooch, the ending of Superman does add further context to why the Man of Steel was so worked up over this event. However, it does make this scene significantly sadder in retrospect.

Supergirl’s Ties To Krypto Further Explain Superman’s Big Reaction To Him Going Missing

Superman’s complicated-looking dynamic with Supergirl inherently hints at why Clark may have been especially uncomfortable about Krypto being kidnapped. As Superman’s only remaining ties to his homeworld, upsetting Kara by losing Krypto and potentially ruining his relationship with both would be a big deal, and one Kal-El would no doubt want to avoid.

However, it also seems like there’s a more personal, tragic explanation here, especially given both heroes’ characterizations. Clark’s worries about Supergirl and what appears to be the unhealthy coping mechanisms she uses to cope with the destruction of her planet and people would make saving Krypto immediately even more important, since losing Krypto could put Kara in a downwards spiral.

As such, it also makes sense for Superman to be as angry as he is because he doesn’t know how to help Supergirl, and is stressed that even temporarily losing Krypto could be catastrophic if she returns before he’s found their beloved canine. Indeed, Superman’s line about worrying Krypto is out there alone may also apply to Kara, who he knows is on her own tricky path right now.

There’s also the possibility that Superman is as reactive as he is about this ordeal because he knows if he doesn’t find Krypto, Supergirl will, and it’s very likely her methods are more heavy-handed, looking at just how aggressively she and Krypto play together. However, Supergirl’s heroic methods likely won’t become clear until her 2026 DCU movie.

Superman & Supergirl’s Bonds Are Set To Be Further Tested By The 2025 Movie’s Big Plot Twist

While Krypto is safe by the time Supergirl comes to pick him up, it seems like the Kryptonian cousins are still set to face some challenges thanks to the events of Superman. Kal-El’s parents leaving him a message that essentially asks him to take over the Earth and rule it leaves a lot of questions about Supergirl’s own upbringing.

It’s not unheard of for Supergirl to be somewhat more ruthless or morally different to her cousin thanks to her own time on Krypton, and the concept of the DCU’s Kryptonians being more warmongering would suggest this is the case here. Clark now becoming fully aware of this detail presents its own difficulties for the Kryptonian survivors.

It would be seemingly against Superman’s character for him to hold Kara’s upbringing against her. However, the hero becoming aware that his cousin may have had an idea about his parents’ “true” message to him due to her experiences on Krypton could create conflict between the two, especially if it does turn out Kara kept details about Krypton from her cousin.

Seeing how this storyline unfolds – and how all three superpowered characters develop over the course of the DCU timeline – already looks to be one of DC’s most interesting ongoing narratives. Fortunately, both Supergirl and Krypto are set to return in 2026’s Supergirl movie, which could even feature the DC Universe‘s Man of Steel in some capacity too.