Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness may have won over many of Marvel's most prominent fans with its unique take on a superhero movie, but some viewers have been left disappointed.
And yes, before we go further, this article will contain SPOILERS about Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness.The Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest foray into the multiverse sees Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) back on the big screen and using his powers to protect new teenage hero America Chavez (played by Xochitl Gomez).
However, despite the movie's trailer cunningly making it look as if former sorcerer Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) would be the movie's villain, the audience quickly discovers that it is former Avenger Wanda Maximoff who is the true antagonist of the movie.
Overcome with grief after losing her two children at the end of WandaVision - as well as also losing her manifestation of husband Vision - Maximoff utilizes her full powers as the Scarlet Witch in order to track down Chavez and drain her of her powers.
But the plot of a grief-stricken mom being driven mad by the desire to once again see her children is not a storyline many viewers could get on board with.
Unlike in WandaVision, Wanda doesn't just hold people hostage so she is able to play happy families - she brutally murders people in order to get what she wants. Both on our Earth and Earth-838.
As Daily Dot writer Gavia Baker-Whitelaw explains: "[Wanda] often loses control due to emotional distress; a recurring theme in stories about women with unexpected superpowers."
Baker-Whitelaw highlights how male fathers in the MCU - such as Tony Stark and Clint Barton - get to have "positive relationships with their kids". Meanwhile, "Wanda has a series of cataclysmic breakdowns" over being unable to see her own.
"Screenwriter Michael Waldron used motherhood as an easy shortcut for [Wanda] to go mad and bad," Baker-Whitelaw states.
Additionally, Vulture writer Angelica Jade Bastién also blasts Waldron's "utterly sexist conception of Wanda", stating how Olsen was "saddled with a character so thinly written as a crazy b***h, who can neither control her emotions nor her great powers, that of course her performance is half-hearted and tepid."
And over on Twitter, some MCU fans had similar thoughts about the movie.
"I will never forgive @MarvelStudios for the sexist and ableist treatment of the #ScarletWitch in #DoctorStrange #MultiverseOfMadness," one Twitter user wrote. "Women can be powerful without losing themselves. Mental illness does not make you a villain. Do better."
A second added: "Right when we need our female heroes the most. How dare #Wanda ever become stronger than a man aka #DoctorStrange. F**k this movie #MultiverseOfMadness is sexist bulls**t. Stop praising her 'power' and recognize the betrayal of ruining her."
What are your thoughts on the movie? Let us know in the comments!
