Marvel Studios
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on Friday, May 6.
- The film screened for critics and journalists on Monday night.
- Early reactions to the Sam Raimi project are hailing the film as the MCU’s first scary movie.
The first Marvel Cinematic Universe film of 2022 — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — was screened for critics and journalists on Monday night, and the first reviews for the film are hailing the project as the MCU’s first legitimately scary movie.
Personally, I felt that Multiverse of Madness very much feels like a both a Sam Raimi movie and a day in the life of the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s the MCU formula perfected: despite the franchise/multiversal implications and reveals, the film is very much self-contained and focused on its own story and style.
Multiverse of Madness also does an incredible job of understanding what makes Doctor Strange so cool and capitalizing on those powers and flaws, in terms of visuals, plotting, and thematics. It blends classic MCU elements with throwback superhero sequel arcs and legit horror tropes.
When it comes to the horror in the film: did it hit any home runs? I’m not so sure. But did it take big swings? Absolutely. As for the multiverse, unlike No Way Home, the reveals don’t feel like the spine of the plot, but rather the cherry on top of a pure Doctor Strange story.
Critics’ reviews and reactions to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
MCU sequels ranked (not counting Infinity War, Endgame, and NHW)
Captain America: The Winter Solider
Thor: Ragnarok#MultiverseOfMadness
Captain America: Civil War
GOTG Vol. 2
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Iron Man 3
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Iron Man 2
Thor: The Dark World https://t.co/C4gYsSxEku— Eric Italiano (@eric_ital) May 3, 2022
By far the creepiest, gnarliest, zaniest, most haunting & terrifying Marvel movie, #MultiverseOfMadness definitely brings the Sam Raimi horror vibes, and I loved that about it. Danny Elfman’s music is a perfect fit for the film’s odd, mysterious tone & Elizabeth Olsen is MVP, imo pic.twitter.com/R5Ybhnd4rl
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange in the Multiverse of Madness rules. It’s inventive, truly weird, and absolutely a joyride to watch. I didn’t realize how much the MCU needed something like this.
I will have so many more thoughts over at @ComicBook very, very soon. pic.twitter.com/neRFGfhlMG
— Jenna Anderson ✨ (@heyitsjennalynn) May 3, 2022
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the weirdest, grossest Marvel movie yet. It’s wildly disjointed, partially on purpose, so it doesn’t always work but the horror, and especially Wanda, work incredibly well. Plus wow. What huge surprises. pic.twitter.com/HwZUZ4Nygw
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrangeintheMultiverseofMadness is absolutely nuts. Absolutely mad you might say. Hardcore fans are going to bug. Casual fans are gonna go WTF am I watching? But don’t know if anyone will deny it’s Sam Raimi to the max, and Elizabeth Olsen owns it from start to finish.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange is filled with hugely entertaining sequences, character-driven heft & kaleidoscopic, trippy visuals. Xochitl Gomez is a scene stealer. Elizabeth Olsen owns. Benedict Cumberbatch, superb. Doubles as a good entry point for Beginners Horror. Has Raimi signature. pic.twitter.com/0S6tF9dP9h
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 3, 2022
#MultiverseOfMadness is delightfully silly. Pleasant surprise: the best, most fun bits are all distinctively Sam Raimi.
— Siddhant Adlakha (@SiddhantAdlakha) May 3, 2022
Welp! Marvel fans finally got their horror movie. #DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness is a dark & wildly imaginative creation from the twisted and brilliant mind of Sam Raimi. Dug the hell out of it. Study up on your comic book knowledge…Superhero fans will lose their faces! pic.twitter.com/TkwwInCz4W
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange: MARVEL MADE A HORROR MOVIE! It's weird, scary and earns the title "Multiverse of Madness." If you were at all concerned this movie wouldn't feel Sam Raimi enough, fear not! I can't imagine a more Sam Raimi MCU film. My genre loving heart is bursting right now. pic.twitter.com/9we5vMpXhy
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) May 3, 2022
Marvel takes a BIG swing with #DoctorStrange Elizabeth Olsen absolutely delivers and Raimi has his stamp all over it, but there’s a disjointed and chaotic rush to it. pic.twitter.com/05SetN1lqk
— Paul McGuire Grimes (@PaulsMovieTrip) May 3, 2022
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which was directed by Spider-Man filmmaker Sam Raimi and stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams, is set to hit theaters in the United States on Friday, May 6.
Multiverse of Madness will be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film of 2022, followed by Thor: Love and Thunder on July 8 and then Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on November 11. There’s also the bevy of TV series hitting Disney+ — such as Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and season two of What If…? — this year.
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