Like many of you, I thought the first Doctor Strange was an alright film that explored the complex lore in the MCU while limiting focus on the subpar cast of characters. It wasn’t the snooze-fest that is the first two Thor films, but it certainly wasn’t anything special. Benedict Cumberbatch was a lovely Doctor Strange, and the character has seen prevalence as a side character in recent films (Ragnarok, Infinity War, Endgame).
Doctor Strange left the impression that most early 2000’s Superhero films often did, focusing on melodrama and character analysis rather than applying a story to a shared universe tangled in plotlines often ignored by the “popcorn moviegoer.” In fact, the ability to abandon common trends of filmmaking in favor of a surrealist, mind-bending visual style separated the movie from its counterparts. Though the plot was rather plain, the way the film was handled showed what a unique vision could bring to the MCU. Notable scenes include gravity bending fights, close-quarters combat, and the MCU interpretation of Dormammu.
A lot of praise can be directed to Scott Derrickson who, despite having a poor filmography, has focused on horror throughout his career. Lending this unique vision to a relatively safe series offers a breath of fresh air dissimilar to other ventures. Though crowd pleasing, many could say that Captain Marvel, Endgame, and Far From Home barely stood out from the status quo the MCU abides to. With the next phase of the MCU comes potential for a new direction, one that can take greater risks than any film before. A possible multiverse can change the Universe drastically, and with that we can explore new methods of filmmaking.
At Comic Con 2019, Kevin Feige announced that the next film in the Doctor Strange series will release on May 7, 2021 with Scott Derrickson returning to the director’s chair. Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness would normally draw no attention from fatigued fans like myself, but the rider to that announcement immediately caught my interest.
Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness would be the first Horror Film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A horror film? In my family-friendly, big budget, box office dominating, merchandise selling Marvel Cinematic Universe? Surely they’re kidding.
Let’s assume they aren’t though. This isn’t a hyperbole, and it will be the same style of schlocky summer horror Scott Derrickson is known for. If this is the case, we should be very excited for the possibilities that come from blending psychedelic visuals and over-the-top horror. Unrestrained scares and budget similar to the original can only lead to a film for the ages.
With a title drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountain of Madness, and a focus heavily reliant on the series’s reality bending magic, Multiverse of Madness has potential to uproot the nature of MCU films following the conclusion of the Infinity Saga.
Could a focus on horror be off-putting for normal viewers? Given the director’s previous films (Sinister, Poltergeist (2015), etc.), there’s a very real possibility that, left unchecked, this director could deliver something both unique and off-putting for young children. The decision to take risks that may alienate a younger demographic puts film over profit, a decision that would surprise many familiar with the brand.
However, one must understand that certain details give the impression that “horror” is a bit of a stretch. Focusing heavily on the partnership of Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch, it seems like this will be another MCU adventure with darker undertones. Films like A Quiet Place show you can create a simple experience with horror elements, but also direct it in such a way that the horror takes a backseat to loveable characters. Initial promises of a horror film may be a dubious one, especially to those looking for films closer to The Conjuring.
At this point, we don’t know the direction this film will take. Will it give audiences nightmares? Will it be a darker take on a lighter franchise? Only time will tell. The potential for something original is tantalizing, and I for one am excited to see what this could bring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Ryan Dorman is a Columnist and the Content Director for the Boardwalk Times. He can be found on Twitter at @OpentheDorman, and as a host of the Boardwalk Talk podcast on iTunes.
