‘Doctor Strange 2’: Why Some Fans Aren’t Happy With Wanda’s Storyline
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness just made its debut, and the sequel is reuniting Marvel fans with some of their favorite characters. Unfortunately, not everyone is thrilled with how the movie handles them. In particular, many are unhappy with Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) storyline in Doctor Strange 2.
[Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.]
‘Doctor Strange 2’ makes Wanda Maximoff the villain
When the initial trailers for Doctor Strange 2 surfaced, it was clear Wanda Maximoff held a prominent role in the film — though whether she’d play friend or foe to Benedict Cumberbatch’s lead remained in question.
Now that the sequel has hit theaters, fans know that Wanda serves as its villain. After acquiring the Darkhold in WandaVision, it seems Wanda became corrupted. She’s determined to get back to her kids, and she’ll do anything to make that happen — even murder innocent people.
For some, this shift in Wanda’s characterization felt like a natural progression, especially after she began using the Book of the Damned. However, just as many viewers feel unhappy about Wanda’s trajectory in Doctor Strange 2.
Wanda Maximoff fans aren’t thrilled with her storyline in the film
It’s no secret Wanda Maximoff is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most-loved characters, and some fans weren’t happy with where Doctor Strange 2 left her. After watching her come to terms with her grief in WandaVision, the sequel presents a character who’s still willing to commit atrocities to get her family back.
As one Redditor points out, seeing Wanda leverage the full extent of her power is exciting. However, the whole thing is weakened by the fact that most of her descent into madness happens off-screen:
“I keep going back and forth. On the one hand, seeing Wanda powered up in the way that we do is incredible. But on the other hand, her murderous rampage against Kamar-Taj and the Illuminati felt like an entirely separate character, and I’ve gotta be honest, the corruption of the Darkhold is such a lazy excuse for that.”
Other fans on Twitter and Reddit echoed that sentiment, adding that Wanda’s portrayal felt very black and white. Although she comes to realize what she’s done in the end, there’s no sense of the character we know and love for most of the film.
And of course, the ending of Doctor Strange 2 leaves Wanda’s fate in question. In a last-ditch attempt to redeem herself, she destroys all the Darkholds across the multiverse. She also brings an entire shrine and mountain toppling down on her. The film wants viewers to think she died, a disappointing development for fans who want more of the character. Still, there’s a chance that’s not how things played out. So, could Wanda return in future MCU projects?
Will the Scarlet Witch return after ‘Doctor Strange 2’?
The ending of Doctor Strange 2 doesn’t bode well for Wanda Maximoff fans, but many are holding out hope that her character survives. Although the sequel implies she sacrifices herself to destroy the Darkhold, it’s hard to believe falling rubble could kill someone as powerful as the Scarlet Witch. Likewise, the film never shows viewers a body, leaving an opening to bring her back.
Hopefully, that means we’ll see Wanda again — either the one we know or another variant of her. In the meantime, fans can catch Elizabeth Olsen’s latest outing as the character in Doctor Strange 2.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently playing in theaters worldwide.
