Mystical meddling creates Marvelous conundrum for world building profit

After the meddlings of the multiverse that former Sorcerer Supreme Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock) spawned in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness picks up the pace, stretching the scope to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s strange new world. The film picks up Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen, Wind River) after the WandaVision finale as she attempts to find her children, Billy and Tommy (portrayed by Julian Hilliard and Jett Kylne, respectively). Just as problematic is the killing of He Who Remains (Johnathan Majors, Lovecraft Country), which disrupted the so-called “Sacred Timeline '' in Loki. Trying to unweave the consequences creates a multiverse conundrum as expansive as the MCU itself.

To say the least, this movie has been through the wringer. With directorial switches, major studio-mandated reshoots, delays, and even the swapping of release order, it is no wonder that the film received mixed reviews. Multiverse was initially directed by Scott Derrickson (director of the first Doctor Strange film in 2016); however, due to some creative differences, Derrickson stepped away from the project, allowing director Sam Raimi (known for his work on the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy and the Evil Dead franchise) to take the reins, bringing Marvel’s first quasi-horror flick to the big screen. Even though most of the horror elements in the film were genuinely scary and borderline rated-R, some of it felt forced and were put in just to further cement that the film is meant to be scary. To compliment this fearsome film, the score is composed by Danny Elfman (famous for soundtracks from the first two Spider-Man movies as well as the 1989 Batman), rather than Michael Giacchino (composer for the first Doctor Strange), and each song fits perfectly within Raimi’s vision and amplifies the creepiness found throughout the film. 

On top of being the first Marvel horror  release, the film also introduces some major new characters (as well as bringing back some familiar faces fans will find familiar from past franchises) into the cinematic mythos such as America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez, The Babysitters Club), the superpowered teenager from the Utopian Parallel with the ability to hop multiverses, and Rintrah (a bull-looking being from the extradimensional planet of R’Vaal, first appearing in Doctor Strange #80). It also introduces the MCU’s version of the Illuminati, an organization from the comics that was composed of the leaders of the major factions (that being Professor Charles Xaiver on behalf of the X-men, Namor the Sub Mariner representing the Atlantean folk, Iron Man act for the Avengers, Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four, and Black Bolt of the Inhumans).

However, one of the things that the movie struggles with most is the confusion of what the emotional stakes for Strange are beyond just saving the multiverse from an angry mother. Raimi has shown that he can do films that connect both to what’s at stake for the hero and what will happen if he doesn’t succeed, as most famously shown and praised for in Spider-Man 2, a movie that follows Peter Parker struggling with choosing between the things he wants and the things that are right. This occasionally echoes in Multiverse of Madness, just not with the main character.

Heads up, true believer! Heavy spoilers are ahead, you have been warned. 

Delving deeper into the darkness that is Multiverse of Madness, viewers are still left wondering what is next for the “Marvel Cinematic Multiverse” after Wanda’s meddlings in Earth-838, Doctor Strange’s new third eye, and what incursion he caused bringing the niece of Dormammu to newly dubbed Earth-616.

After the Scarlet Witch went on a murdering spree while dreamwalking in her Earth-838 counterpart, killing the entirety of the Illuminati, what is next for this parallel Earth? Even though 838-Wanda will most likely not be held accountable for the crimes of the Nexus being that possessed her, it is inevitable that the living Illuminati member and the families/teams of Reed Richards, Charles Xaiver, Black Bolt, Captain Marvel, and Captain Carter will be out for some form of revenge whether that be against Stephen Strange (in Sorcerer Supreme Baron Karl Mordo’s case) or some other entity. This could possibly spur a true House of M film to be made, ushering in mutants and inhumans alike into Earth-616. 

As for the book of the damned’s toll on 616-Strange, he now sports a third eye in his otherworldly entourage. In many stories, whenever Strange has a third eye, it has usually been the physical embodiment of the Eye of Agamotto, granting Strange some sort of new supernatural skill. However, it appears that Marvel seems to be taking this into a different direction, possibly giving Strange a new link to the Darkhold despite it being destroyed in the closing acts of the film. Raimi seems to be saving the explanation of the new ability for the threequel, following whatever chaos he caused in the Dark Dimension as he was notified by Clea (Charlie Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road) without any explanation in the first post credit scene.

The possible incursion, which is the collision of two universes, explained earlier by the “smartest man alive” Reed Richards (John Krasinski, A Quiet Place) that Strange could’ve caused was using the Darkhold and breaking the multiversal law by doing so. As seen with what Supreme Strange produced, this could be the introduction of the Secret Wars/Battleworld storyline, and possibly the merging of Earth-838 or possibly another universe with the main MCU timeline. 

All in all, even though Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is very much a Raimi film and the accompanying  flaws, it still is an overall enjoyable installment in the MCU. For the first Marvel horror film, it gives a look as to what fans can expect in the future from the actual rated-R Marvel films on the way, and opens the door to a House of M adaptation, hopefully welcoming mutants into the MCU. As for now, Stephen Strange’s multiversal adventure was not the film fans were expecting, but still delivered a scary and visually appealing experience to audiences. 

Grade: B-

By Evan Parfitt

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 8

May 23rd, 2022