In a multiverse of opinions, Sam Raimi’s 2022 installment in the MCU, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, still continues to spark a cosmic storm of controversy. Fans and critics find themselves divided over the character depiction of Benedict Cumberbatch’s beloved hero, Doctor Stephen Strange.
Taking to social media, netizens sparked a debate surrounding Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after one user hyped the film compared to the 2021 TV show WandaVision. Arguing that Sam Raimi’s movie amounted to nothing short of a character assassination of the Sorcerer Supreme, fans slammed the film for wasting potential characters.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Upsetting Character Depiction in Sam Raimi’s Sequel
From the Sanctum Sanctorum to Twitter threads, debate rages on, as die-hard Marvel enthusiasts cry foul over Sam Raimi‘s 2022 iteration of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Highlighting the iconic mastery of visuals juxtaposed with gripping storytelling in the initial 2016 movie Doctor Strange, fans argue how the sequel completely damaged the established reputation of the character in the MCU.
Claiming that the film undoubtedly managed to butcher Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sorcerer Supreme, disgruntled voices in the fandom stated how Doctor Strange almost appeared like a secondary character in his own film. Although a few netizens tried dissuading the debate by asserting that Cumberbatch’s character was completely fine, and instead it was perhaps an issue with the writing, fans shut down the argument with valid callbacks.
Through the Twitter threads, fans recalled how Doctor Strange was portrayed less like a master of the mystic arts and more like a bystander caught in the wake of the Wanda Maximoff vs. America Chavez showdown. Further, implying that Benedict Cumberbatch was just there as a glorified plot device in Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel fans went on to other character depictions that deeply disappointed them.
Even After Years, Fans Criticize Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Although it’s been more than 2 years since the premiere of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the movie still seems to disappoint fans, just as it did back in 2022. Even recalling the scenes and speaking about the film on social media seems to enrage audiences, afresh. Therefore, after slamming Sam Raimi and his sequel for ruining Benedict Cumberbatch‘s character, fans accused the film of squandering the potential of other iconic Marvel figures.
After initially arguing about Marvel’s alleged use of a woke agenda, where more focus was offered to female characters like Wanda Maximoff, America Chavez, and even Christine Palmer, fans went on to discuss the atrocious waste of potential for Reed Richards and Professor X. Highlighting how the Fantastic Four and the X-Men character had previously entertained audiences, fans slammed the 2022 sequel for sidelining their roles.
However, not everyone was ready to cast a mystical judgment on Sam Raimi’s directorial choices. Some defenders of the film argued that the narrative complexities and character depictions were necessary to set the stage for future MCU phases. Advocating for the filmmaker, as well as the Marvel multiverse at large, a few fans extended their supportive hands toward Raimi.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is available on Disney+.
