Why Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ Doesn’t Work in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
Certain songs become irrevocably associated with certain movies. Deadpool & Wolverine makes memorable use of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” so the younger generation will be exposed to the song for the first time through Marvel. But the track’s appearance in the film feels disingenuous.
Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ is in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ because it’s a Christian spoof
On one level, the Material Girl‘s “Like a Prayer” is a classic. On another level, it’s a naughty little novelty song in the vein of Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling.” The track is supposed to sound like a sincere gospel song but it’s actually a thinly veiled tune about sex. “Down on my knees” indeed.
In Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool is set up as a Christ figure. Without giving away the plot, he makes a heroic sacrifice in the movie. “Like a Prayer” plays over that scene, making the comparison between Deadpool and Jesus so obvious that you’ll notice it even if you missed the times they make the comparison through dialog.
Of course, using “Like a Prayer” in this scene rather than a religious song like “How Great Thou Art” or “Amazing Grace” makes the whole sequence feel like a joke. In fact, everything in the film is a smarmy joke. If Deadpool & Wolverine was just a comedy, that would be fine, but the movie wants us to get invested in its story.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ uses the Goo Goo Dolls’ ‘Iris’ in a similar way to ‘Like a Prayer’
The use of “Like a Prayer” also lets the film have some Christian undertones without alienating anyone with a negative attitute toward Christianity. The same thing happens immediately after when the film uses the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” “Iris” isn’t a Christian song per se, but it’s from a movie about an angel.
If Deadpool & Wolverine wants to have Christian themes, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too. However, the film plays both sides in a cowardly bid to appeal to everyone. Big movies like this are crafted in boardroom meetings to appeal to the broadest possible audience.
Ryan Reynolds explained what Madonna thought of the scene
During a 2024 interview with Sirius XM, Deadpool & Wolverine star Ryan Reynolds discussed getting the rights to the song. “It was a big deal to ask for and certainly a bigger deal to use it,” Reynolds said. “We went over and met with her and showed her how it was being used, and where and why.”
“I even asked someone who worked with her, I was like, ‘Am I allowed to just say Madonna?'” Reynolds adds. “Like, ‘Hello, Madonna. I’m f*****’ Ryan.’ That was one of the great thrills of my life.”
Reynolds said the “Like a Virgin” singer had some ideas for the film should use her song. “She watched it, and I’m not kidding, just was like ‘You need to do this, this, and this, in this moment and damn it if she wasn’t like, spot on,” he recalled. “We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this one note. She had only one note, and it was a great note, and it made the sequence better.”
“Like a Prayer” doesn’t work in Deadpool & Wolverine but at least Madonna seemed to approve of its use in the film.
