‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ Reviews Hail The Film As The MCU’s First Scary Movie

'Multiverse Of Madness' Reviews Hail Film As MCU's First Scary Movie

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

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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