Marvel Studios is billing the second installment of Doctor Strange as a horror-action film. While we’re still unsure if the film will be as scary as James Wan’s Insidious or The Conjuring, we know that the horror will be kept within the PG-13 rating.
Without divulging spoilers, we’re continuing this mini-series about understanding the films announced in Marvel’s Phase 4. If you’ve missed out on our previous coverage of Marvel’s Black Widow, read about it here.
Now, let’s get into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
baron mordo is still alive
Back in 2016, Doctor Strange‘s most iconic scene was when Steven Strange defeated the antagonist Dormammu by annoying the hell out of him. Beyond that humour, viewers should note that Strange’s mentor Baron Mordo is still lurking out there.
Mordo was seen supporting and guiding Strange to reach his full potential. Yet, the film ended with him angrily leaving Strange and eliminating Jonathan Pangborn (that man who used magic to cure his paralysis). Presumably, that was the start of Mordo’s path towards evil, what did he mean when he said, “Earth has too many sorcerers“? This film might provide us with answers to that.
Hopefully, Multiverse of Madness will pit Mordo against Doctor Strange instead of wasting his talents on just another post-credit scene.
touching on our deepest fears
Truth to be told, Doctor Strange is as humanly fallible as you and I. When he was robbed of this motor skills and consequently his stature as a top surgeon, he struggled to accept that reality. It’s a tough pill to swallow when what defines you as a person is forcibly taken away from you.
And as much as being a superhero is interesting in its own right, taking that leap of faith also meant that Strange was unable to lead a normal life. He couldn’t continue his normal extravagant lifestyle as a surgeon nor have a proper relationship with Christine Palmer (played by actress Rachel McAdams). Not to mention, after being the Ancient One’s chosen wizard, Strange failed to save her from her untimely demise and even lost the Time Stone to Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
So, even if there are no jump-scares or scary characters in the film, we assume that the fear of loss and failure could be another aspect of horror that Marvel Studios will look to employ.
top-notch visual effects
During the 2017 Empire Awards ceremony, Doctor Strange and its director Scott Derrickson clinched the title for Best Visual Effects, besting other films such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Captain America: Civil War, Rogue One and The Jungle Book.
If you were just as amazed as I was with Doctor Strange‘s topsy-turvy, Inception-esque visual effects, you’ll be in for quite a treat in Doctor Strange’s Multiverse of Madness because Derrickson just confirmed his continued involvement.
Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be released 7 May 2021.