On May 6, 2022, the newest movie in the MCU was released worldwide, that being “Dr. Strange: Multiverse of Madness.” So far, the movie has gained $450 million at the box office, and has earned a 75 on “Rotten Tomatoes,” and a 7.5 on “IMDB.” It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and a new actor in the MCU series, Xochitl Gomez.

In the newest installment of the MCU, Steven Strange is encountered by a particularly odd girl named America, who can travel through any and every multiverse. She comes to Strange to let him know of what danger she’s in, specifically the monsters coming after her for her power. Strange investigates a bit further, finding out the true threat chasing America, who is Wanda Maximoff.

Wanda, after the events of the Disney Plus show “WandaVision,” has gone on to figure out a way to gain the only bit of happiness in her life left, her children. She wants this despite reality clearly showing that Wanda is destined to be alone. Dr. Strange has to protect America at all costs before Wanda causes a petrifying disaster that could possibly end not only the world but any multiverse she touches. The chase is on, as the horrors of Wanda’s power begin to get stronger.

Dr. Strange’s journey in this film is not as strong as his in the first film. While it is important to Strange’s development, it felt as if it was crammed in with all of the other themes and events that took place in this film. Those other things are to save America and to stop Wanda.

America is a new character that was introduced in this film. Overall, she was a fine character that was very smart for her age. Her power is also very interesting, and it does bring to question how it will affect the next few Marvel movies. But it didn’t feel like we got much out of her in this film, or at least enough to know her place in the MCU.

Wanda was the highest point in this film, as her dive into evil and dark magic was perfectly developed throughout the Marvel series (except for WandaVision). Her motives are obviously pure evil, using someone’s power and killing them, in order to find a reality where she can be with her children. It’s a dark motive, but it’s believable, pitiful, and ultimately believable. Although that is taken down a peg as more of the action in the series takes over that dark motivation.

What makes this movie undoubtedly special is that it’s the darkest, strangest, and most violent movie in the MCU yet. Showing acts of violence that just barely make it to the PG-13 rating for the film. This film also takes a more horror, shock-value route, having quite a few jump scares to give the film its edge. The horrifying aspect of this film is not bad, as Marvel has recently been experimenting with their shows. “Ms. Marvel,” a new Marvel “Disney Plus” show that’ll be airing in the summer, has an aesthetic for more younger kids. It’s all merely just Marvel experimenting with themes and genres.

Another aspect of this film that is interesting is the cameos. They’re not necessarily cameos like Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” but they still are interesting. With the whole “multiverse” theme in this film, seeing the leader of the Fantastic Four, an alternate Captain Marvel, Captain Carter, Black Bolt, and Professor X all in one film as a group called the “Illuminati” was insane. But their rolls don’t last long as they are quickly discarded when Wanda kills them in the darkest sequence in all of Marvel.

The finale of this film overall felt a bit anti-climactic. It was cool seeing Dr. Strange using the dead to his advantage against Wanda, but overall, the resolve of this climax felt like it wasn’t earned. I think this film should’ve kept with its darker themes and created a twist ending that no one would’ve expected. But alas, Marvel went with the classic “and everything turned out okay” ending.

Overall, “Dr. Strange: Multiverse of Madness” is an odd film, one that has interesting ideas, but doesn’t exactly prevail with them. While the sequences of violence and gore are shocking, it doesn’t exactly help this film out. Although it does bring up interest in what the MCU is going to do next, and where this film and all of the films in Phase 4 are going. Seven out of ten.