The Rise and Fall of the Scarlet Witch

How Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Shattered Wanda Maximoff's Story

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(SPOILER WARNING: Article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness & WandaVision)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has continuously pushed the boundaries of storytelling, and its Post-Credit scenes have often served as tantalizing hints of what's to come. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as the Hydra era reached its climactic conclusion, a seismic shift occurred as the MCU expanded its universe by introducing beloved X-Men characters. Among them was Wanda Maximoff, a character initially regarded as less prominent. Little did we know that she would become an integral part of the Avengers' future. Her journey began in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where she allied with Ultron, driven by a burning desire for revenge against Stark and the Avengers, who she believed were responsible for her family's tragic fate at the hands of Stark Tech. However, as Ultron's true intentions were unveiled, Wanda's loyalties shifted, leading her to stand alongside the Avengers. It was during a heartwarming conversation with Hawkeye that Wanda's true potential came to light—a desire to bring light and justice to those who couldn't fight their own battles. Her role in the Avengers' saga continued to evolve, from a blossoming romance with Vision to the cataclysmic events of Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame.

From heart-wrenching losses to newfound empowerment, Wanda Maximoff's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. As Phase 2 transitioned into Phase 3, her story unfolded with remarkable beauty, weaving a narrative that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. However, as her arc reached its conclusion, the outcome was far from favorable for Wanda. She endured unimaginable pain, losing her parents, her brother, and her beloved Avengers comrades, but none struck as deeply as the loss of Vision. The fate of Vision's heroic sacrifice left us wondering what lay ahead for Wanda in Marvel Studios' WandaVision. The concept of a series centered around Wanda seemed perplexing at first, considering Vision's absence and the seemingly definitive end to his character. Marvel Studios had us all intrigued, curious to discover their vision for this show. As the episodes unfolded, it became evident that WandaVision held a much grander purpose—to empower Wanda and witness her transformation into the enigmatic and powerful Scarlet Witch.

In the gripping series WandaVision, Marvel Studios delved deep into the complex emotions and experiences of Wanda Maximoff. Grief became the driving force of her narrative, particularly following the devastating loss of Vision. As Wanda grappled with her pain, something extraordinary occurred—her powers evolved, and her dormant Chaos Magic awakened. This newfound strength allowed her to escape the harsh realities of her sorrow and create an idyllic world of her own making.

Within this fabricated reality, Wanda resurrected Vision, bringing him back to life, and was blessed with the arrival of her beloved twins, Tommy and Billy. Immersed in a blissful existence, Wanda found solace and contentment, cherishing the family she had longed for. However, this happiness was short-lived, disrupted by the enigmatic Agatha Harkness. As Agatha probed deeper, Wanda's true potential as the Scarlet Witch began to emerge, intertwining her grief and her extraordinary abilities.

Throughout the series, Wanda's journey unfolded in a mesmerizing manner. As she embraced her destiny as the Scarlet Witch, she confronted her grief head-on, no longer able to hide behind the façade of her self-created reality. With her newfound clarity, Wanda made the heart-wrenching decision to relinquish the perfect world she had constructed in Westview. Tearfully bidding farewell to her cherished children and letting go of Vision, she acknowledged that their paths might cross again in the future.

WandaVision proved to be a captivating and poignant story, further enriching Wanda Maximoff's character within the vast MCU. Her transformation throughout the series showcased her resilience, strength, and capacity for growth. Now, as she embarks on her next chapter, we witness a rejuvenated Wanda, embodying her most positive self once more.

As fans eagerly awaited Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the film that was supposed to continue Wanda Maximoff's story, they were met with a surprising twist that left many scratching their heads. The narrative trajectory of Wanda's character seemed to contradict everything she had gone through during the events of WandaVision.

The decision to portray Wanda as an antagonist, driven by the desire to reunite with her children, felt jarring and out of place. Despite the limited on-screen bonding moments between Wanda and her children in both WandaVision and Multiverse of Madness, the emotional connection required to justify her drastic actions was lacking. It became challenging to sympathize with Wanda, as her goal felt weak and self-centered, a far cry from the selfless Avenger we had come to know.

What made matters worse was the disregard for Wanda's previous character development. Throughout her journey as an Avenger, she demonstrated growth, empathy, and a willingness to protect others. However, the narrative choice to erase these positive aspects and depict her as selfishly evil felt forced and unnecessary. It seemed to invalidate the progress she had made and left viewers questioning the direction of her arc.

The shift in Wanda's character from the selfless hero we had grown to admire to a selfish antagonist focused solely on her own desires felt like a pointless deviation. It lacked coherence and failed to resonate with the essence of her character established in previous appearances. The sudden turn to villainy seemed contrived, leaving audiences puzzled and disappointed.

In the next section, we will explore the potential reasons behind this unexpected narrative choice and discuss the implications it may have for Wanda's future in the MCU.

This is why supporting Wanda throughout the entire movie became challenging. It would have been much improved if they showed that the Darkhold was influencing her, but they didn't. Instead, it was her own selfish ambition driving her actions. She was even willing to harm a child just to be with her own kids. This goes against who Wanda Maximoff is supposed to be after everything she has experienced. Turning her into a villain was a terrible decision. It validated Hayward's belief from S.W.O.R.D that Wanda is a threat and there may come a time when she cannot be controlled.

Interestingly, Wanda's realization that her actions were a mistake mirrored the ending of WandaVision, creating a sense of déjà vu. It's disconcerting to witness her current status as an outcast within the MCU, as it leaves us with lingering questions. What lies ahead for the Scarlet Witch? The uncertainty surrounding her future is somewhat bothersome, especially considering the lack of concrete plans for her character in the near future.

In all sincerity, the responsibility for the shortcomings of this film likely rests with the writers and producers. Sam Raimi, on the other hand, deserves praise for his remarkable direction, as he skillfully orchestrated incredible action sequences and delivered moments of intense horror and suspense. However, it appears that the primary focus of the movie shifted towards Wanda rather than Doctor Strange, possibly driven by the desire to pair these two powerful magic users and spell casters together. Unfortunately, this shift resulted in a convoluted narrative, reminiscent of the flaws often associated with films in the DCEU.

As we reflect on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it becomes clear that while the film had its successes, it was not without its flaws. The decision-making process behind the plot and character development ultimately impacted the overall coherence of the story. Nevertheless, with the talent and potential within the MCU, there is hope that future installments will learn from these missteps and bring forth captivating narratives that stay true to the core essence of the characters we have come to love.

As we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the MCU, let us remain optimistic that Wanda's journey will be given the attention and depth it deserves, with a renewed focus on character-driven storytelling and compelling narratives.

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