The first reactions for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have arrived, and they suggest it’s a good time indeed. According to those in attendance at an early screening, the MCU installment is a horror movie that’s a Sam Raimi production through and through.
The action movie heralds Benedict Cumberbatch’s second headline outing in the franchise, reckoning with a multiverse that’s in tatters due to the events of Loki, WandaVision, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Of course, the Sorcerer Supreme himself was largely responsible for what went down in the latter Spider-Man movie, leading to him answering to the Illuminati in Multiverse of Madness. Your arrogance is always your downfall, Stephen!
However, it’s Raimi who’s the star of the show on social media. “Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness fully goes horror—jump scares, body horror, and a smattering of diabolical kills,” writes Karl Delossantos, an editor for the New York Times. “It fits in the MCU but has Raimi’s deranged creepy campy groovy DNA all over it.” Perri Nemiroff, host for Collider, adds: “I can’t imagine a more Sam Raimi MCU film. My genre loving heart is bursting right now.”
As much is not surprising, this is Raimi’s glorious return to comic book movies after Spider-Man 3 in 2007. You can check out more reactions to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness below:
Don't worry, Sam Raimi fans. DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS fully goes horror—jump scares, body horror, and a smattering of diabolical kills. It fits in the MCU but has Raimi's deranged creepy campy groovy DNA all over it. Start the Elizabeth Olsen Oscar campaign. pic.twitter.com/jIVheGQfoY
— Karl Delossantos 🔜 Cannes (@karl_delo) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange: MARVEL MADE A HORROR MOVIE! It's weird, scary and earns the title "Multiverse of Madness." If you were at all concerned this movie wouldn't feel Sam Raimi enough, fear not! I can't imagine a more Sam Raimi MCU film. My genre loving heart is bursting right now. pic.twitter.com/9we5vMpXhy
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) May 3, 2022
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is a wild, cameo-filled ride. Elizabeth Olsen stands out with an incredible performance & Sam Raimi delivers a marvelous visual spectacle infused with personality & a breakneck pace that would have benefited from a stronger structure. pic.twitter.com/Y5zvCJCk4d
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz) May 3, 2022
Welp! Marvel fans finally got their horror movie. #DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness is a dark & wildly imaginative creation from the twisted and brilliant mind of Sam Raimi. Dug the hell out of it. Study up on your comic book knowledge…Superhero fans will lose their faces! pic.twitter.com/TkwwInCz4W
— Clayton Davis – Stand with 🇺🇦 (@ByClaytonDavis) May 3, 2022
Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez join Cumberbatch for the otherworldly fantasy movie. Raimi is directing, from a script by Michael Waldron, who also wrote Loki. Marvel has kept plot details on a relatively tight leash, with us really only knowing that the Multiverse is involved, and Doctor Strange is in some deep trouble.
You can find out for yourself when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is in theatres May 5.