If you’ve ever delved into the world of comic books, chances are you’ve come across the concept of the multiverse. Both Marvel and DC have utilized this concept to introduce alternate versions of their iconic characters, allowing for new and fresh storytelling. In recent years, Hollywood has also jumped on the multiverse bandwagon, with movies exploring this fascinating concept. However, the quality of these movies has been inconsistent, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
Most of the multiverse movies released in recent years have been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as Marvel Studios is currently in the midst of its Multiverse Saga. We got a taste of the multiverse in “Avengers: Endgame,” and since then, almost every Marvel show and film has touched on alternate realities. Initially, this was an exciting prospect as the possibilities seemed endless. We discovered that there were countless variations of our beloved heroes and villains, and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” even managed to merge two separate movie franchises into the MCU. “Loki” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hinted at the chaos that could ensue if these timelines started colliding.
However, as much as the multiverse held promise, its prevalence in recent storytelling coincided with a decline in the quality of the MCU. As we’ve previously highlighted, the three lowest-rated Marvel movies on Rotten Tomatoes are all part of the Multiverse Saga. Surprisingly, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” has an even lower rating than “Eternals.” When you factor in the disastrous reception of DC’s multiversal endeavor, “The Flash,” it’s no wonder that audiences are starting to grow weary of the multiverse trend.
But here’s the thing: I don’t believe that the multiverse itself is the issue. True, it may eventually lose its appeal as all fads do, but we shouldn’t dismiss it entirely. After all, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” recently won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The problem lies in the execution of multiverse stories, as many of these attempts have been disappointing. Let’s examine some recent movies and shows that heavily feature the multiverse:
– “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021)
– “Loki” (2021)
– “What If…?” (2021)
– “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021)
– “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
– “Morbius” (2022)
– “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022)
– “Sonic Prime” (2022)
– “Mila in the Multiverse” (2023)
– “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023)
– “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023)
– “The Flash” (2023)
This list is not exhaustive, and if we go back a few years, we can include other examples such as “Rick and Morty,” “The Man in the High Castle,” and J.J. Abrams’s Star Trek movies. However, two observations stand out. Firstly, there isn’t as much multiverse-centric content as one might expect, considering the complaints about the saturation of multiverse stories. Secondly, the worst entries on this list are truly abysmal.
“Morbius” may be one of the weakest comic book movies of the decade, “The Flash” is a financial disaster for Warner Bros. Discovery, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” are arguably among the worst MCU films, and while “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” improved upon the original, it did not save the old DCEU. However, the failure of these movies cannot be attributed solely to the multiverse concept. Despite the supposed multiverse fatigue, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” has been a massive success both critically and commercially. Similarly, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” received widespread acclaim and won multiple awards. These examples prove that audiences are not fixated on the specifics of a story as long as it captivates and engages them.
We are willing to watch a variety of shows and movies, regardless of the genre, as long as they offer compelling plots and strong performances. “The Bear,” for instance, has been hailed as one of the best shows on television not because it revolves around food, but because of its exceptional cast, brilliant writing, intense pacing, and its ability to deliver emotional impact. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for “Quantumania.”
In conclusion, I believe we are misdirecting our complaints when it comes to the multiverse trend. While not every story needs to explore the multiverse, we should demand more from the ones that do. We shouldn’t simply rely on the gimmick of bringing together different actors or crossing over franchises like Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton donning the Batsuit in the same movie or the possibility of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man facing off against Venom in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The multiverse can serve as a solid foundation for compelling storytelling in the hands of talented creators. We’ve seen this with the success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” So let’s shift our focus to applauding well-crafted narratives rather than blaming the multiverse concept itself.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
