Awesome / Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Moments subpages are Spoilers Off. You Have Been Warned!

"This time, it's gonna take more than killing me to kill me!"

This isn't Doctor Strange's first time dealing with the multiverse, but it definitely is the wildest. And with wild things and Sam Raimi helming the film, we get jaw-dropping moments that defy the physics of the multiverse.

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Trailers

• First and foremost, the visual style is very stylish and varied, yet also surprisingly haunting and serves perfectly for the horror theme the film is going for. Being directed by Sam Raimi certainly helps.
• The way the Marvel logo changes and fractures like the Mirror Dimension effects strongly link to the multiverse.
• At one point, Strange and America Chavez open a door to another dimension, which floats within a very colourful and unique dimension, one that will either serve as important or be one of many different worlds in the film proper.
• At one point in the trailer, Doctor Strange is rescuing civilians from Gargantos attacking them in the city. It throws a huge school bus at him. How does Strange react? He forms an energy construct in the form of a buzz saw and effortlessly slices it in half.
• Strange summoning serpents from his hands to attack his enemies.
• Strange's introduction to his alternate counterpart is as epic as it is chilling. Sadly, the line isn't in the movie itself.
  Sinister Strange: Things just got out of hand...
• Mordo's words to Strange are both a staunch reminder of how dangerous Strange can really be... and a promise of what's to come.
  Mordo: The greatest threat to our universe... is you.
• In the Superbowl trailer, we get Wanda fighting a variant of Captain Marvel, who upon closer inspection is revealed to be Maria Rambeau!
• "We should tell him the truth." Needless to say, people went nutso when we had the implication that we're getting Patrick Stewart as Professor X in this!
• Much like its predecessor, the new trailer showcases multiple versions of Strange himself. There is even a statue highly resembling Classic Doctor Strange, who may even make an appearance within the movie in a similar vein to Loki (2021)!
• A new TV spot shows Wanda getting into a one on one battle with none other than Captain Carter, as well as giving us a better look at Professor X’s yellow wheelchair, much like the Professor X from X-Men: The Animated Series.
• Throughout the trailers, we see that the Illuminati has robotic muscles working for them. The model of those robots? Ultron Sentries, implying that whoever designed them in this universe managed to avert Tony's mistake in designing them in the Sacred Timeline.

Film

• In the Cold Open, Chavez almost has her power taken by Defender Strange, who claims that she can't control it before getting impaled. So what does she do next? She uses her powers to summon a portal, proving this variant of the Doctor wrong.
  • This is revisited in the climax where the Strange (Earth-616) possessed Defender Strange gives Chavez a speech about how when she used her powers, she took them exactly where they needed to go. This proved to him that she can control her powers, before stating:
    Strange (Earth-616) as Defender Strange: We are gonna kick that Witch's ass.
• Strange and Wong battling Gargantos in Manhattan, ending with Strange ripping out the beast’s eye.
  • Strange immediately holds the creature at bay and notices it's targeting something inside a bus. He uses his incredible skill to take the bus apart a la Mirror Dimension physics and quickly seizes America Chavez, the person the creature was after.
  • When it hurls the bus at Strange, he forms a giant buzz saw and cleaves the thing in half, just like in the trailers.
  • The Cloak gets credit for being the one to get America to safety and actively aiding Wong against Gargantos after Strange was knocked unconscious.
  • Wong is quick to spring into action and showcases why he's the Sorcerer Supreme, conjuring an awesome blade on a tangible rope and utilizing spells very effectively against the beast.
  • There's also the transition to how this scene starts: Stephen very nonchalantly jumps out of the balcony and summons his entire Sorcerer getup to fly to the battle. Understandably, the entirety of the wedding guests began pulling out their phones and cheering, probably much like any MCU fan. Christine's new husband is even awestruck watching, having been established as an admirer too. Imagine getting to see your favorite superhero in action on your wedding day—that is quite the (accidental) wedding gift from Doctor Strange.
  • Just the ease and confidence with which Stephen and Wong handle Gargantos at the beginning. Strange is a long way from the novice who could barely summon a portal or hold his own against other sorcerers in the first movie.
• Wanda's powers have grown dramatically since even WandaVision. That orchard Strange meets her in? It's a Hex, one so profound and deep that Strange even comments that it's "real, this time", having no idea of what it is. She even casually remarks that it's easy now.
  • She is summoning monsters now. Giant creepy monsters that Defender Stranger could only slow down.
  • She utterly demolishes the defenders of Kamar-Taj. These are the Masters of the Mystic Arts, led by the Sorcerer Supreme, alongside Doctor Strange, who went toe to toe with an Infinity Stone armed Thanos and did very respectably, and after an initial valiant defence, she spies a weakness and tears through them like they're made of paper. Within a couple of minutes, Strange's immediate reaction is to grab America and run... except he can't, since Wanda, not even in the room, vaporises his Sling Ring.
  • Being trapped in the Mirror Dimension is usually a death sentence for anyone without a Sling Ring. Wanda? After a few false starts, she just reaches through and starts pulling Sorcerers through every reflective surface she can reach, before crawling out of a gong like something out of The Ring.
  • She's also figured out how to dream-walk, multiversal Body Surfing, even overpowering versions of herself that are pretty powerful witches in their own right.
  • Wanda vs the Ultron Sentries. Remember how it needed the totality of the Avengers (plus Wanda, Pietro, Vision and Rhodey) to destroy all the Ultron Sentries back in Age of Ultron? For the little we see here, Wanda soloed this version of them as if they're made of paper.
  • Doubles as Nightmare Fuel, but she's so powerful (and unhinged) that giving Strange the ultimatum of handing America over or she destroys the Sanctum Santorium and kills everyone in it (which she was not bluffing about) is her being nice.
    America: Why didn't she just do that to begin with?
    Strange: Because that was her being reasonable.
• Props to Strange for getting the jump on Wanda several times, even using an illusion to trick her into the Mirror Dimension as opposed to simply forcing her into it. It really sets the contrast for these two in the movie, showing how the strongest magic wielder fares against the best magic wielder. While both have skill and strength, it's clear who has more of which and unsurprisingly it's incredible to watch.
  • Subtle, but Stephen is very quick to realize that Wanda knows more about the situation than she should, namely that she knows America's name despite him never telling her. His Death Glare at her as this sinks in is what causes her to drop the act.
    • Given that Wanda could have easily explained knowing America's name since she's known to be telepathic, this could also be seen as an equally, and darkly, awesome moment for Wanda, choosing to drop her act to show him exactly who and what he's facing. Wanda knows just how powerful she is, and she's ready to use it. Frightening, and awesome at the same time to see how far she's come from the girl who was once afraid of her powers.
  • When Wanda is trapped by Strange in the Mirror Dimension, she seems to quickly realize something is very wrong and tries to escape by touching the reflective surface... only for it to morph into deadly shrapnel and expand, holding her in place like a prison of broken glass. Doctor Strange weaponized the Mirror Dimension. Too bad that Wanda learns quickly enough to use the Mirror Dimension to her advantage and find an exit.
  • Stephen challenging Wanda (even if only to buy some time) is full of awesome. For one, not only does Strange never lose his cool when Wanda crawls through the gong and threatens to kill them, but he also manages to make her resolve falter a little when he questions just how monstrous her actions have become. Wanda states she just wants to be with her children no matter the universe, but Stephen looks her in the eye and simply asks "And what about the Wanda in that universe? What happens to their mom?" As she begins to gather herself again, Strange summons serpents from his hands that lash at her like venomous whips, but for every head she cuts off two more take their place. That's right, Doctor Strange attacked the Scarlet Witch with a Hydra.
• A small, yet powerful moment is when Dr. Strange and America Chavez are travelling around the multiverse after escaping from Wanda. We see them travelling to a crystal universe, a toonverse, a waterworld and even a world made purely of paint. This scene demostrates the potential of the multiverse and how there can be a giant amount of wacky realities.
• Doubles as a funny moment, but when Bruce Campbell^note Who previously played the one character to defeat Raimi-verse Spider-Man insults Strange and threatens to squirt mustard in his face, Strange effortlessly uses his magic to force the man to squirt himself with it, then beat himself up. Constantly. For three weeks. (The second stinger implies it was just for a few minutes, though.)
• An understated one, but the fact that Doctor Strange, not the Scarlet Witch, is considered by the heroes across the Multiverse to be the greatest threat to all reality, to the point they consider Wanda to be just a "little witch" in comparison (though of course that was a HUGE mistake on their part) and in some universes had to kill him. While Stephen is obviously shaken that he's capable of such death and destruction, it's a silent reminder that Stephen Strange was destined for greatness no matter what universe he was in or what shape it took.
• The introduction of the Illuminati is very cool, with all the characters, Captain Carter included, making one hell of an entrance. It's a lineup for the ages and they all get a moment to shine!
  • Despite the heavy costs it took to do so, these heroes managed to kill their version of Thanos, who was armed with the Space, Power, Reality, and Mind Stones, a feat that our Doctor Strange said was basically impossible.
  • Black Bolt deserves a mention for his powerful presence despite being literally unable to speak (or he'd probably shout the world apart). Despite this, his emotions and power is felt with just one look.
  • Another subtle detail that bears a mention; the trailer section notes the Ultron Sentries present seem completely devoid of any flaws that can turn them evil. Who could possibly be smart enough to avert that? Reed Richards.
• In an extremely dark way, Wanda demolishing the Illuminati. It's barely even a fight. The only one she never beats is Mordo, and that's purely because he's elsewhere at the time.
  • Wanda in general. Not even Hela dished out as many one sided Curb Stomp Battles of top tier opponents, and Strange, one of the most powerful Avengers, willing to take on Thanos armed with four Infinity Stones in a straight fight (and match him), never even pretends he has a chance in a direct engagement.
    • Even then, we should give Captain Carter and Captain Rambeau credit where it is due. Captain Carter herself was able to keep up with Wanda's attacks with her jetpack, shield and resourcefulness, using whatever she has to continue the brawl, though she shouldn't have stood still when her shield was telekinetically launched at her. Her most amazing factor? Her sheer determination. "Oh, I can do this all day.", she says. Captain Rambeau, also has the powers of flight, binary powers and sheer strength to keep moving and evading Wanda's assaults as well, only getting done in when she gets Brought Down to Normal with Wanda overpowering her and sending a falling statue to the poor lady.
    • Charles Xavier also deserves credit for being the only character besides Maria and Peggy to actually (very briefly) blindside Scarlet Witch. When she attempts to use her powers, he actually overpowers and invades her mind and manages to find Wanda-838 within her mindscape. Were it not for Scarlet Witch getting the jump on him, Charles very well could have aided Wanda-838 in banishing her from her mind, winning the day. Handicapped Badass indeed.
  • The moment Chavez starts getting her powers under control, it's easy to assume it will be the part of the film where she dishes out a devastating counterattack. In truth, her newfound control barely does anything other than stagger Wanda for a short while before she catches a punch that had enough strength to tear open a portal to another universe.
  • This very article mentions that this was the David vs. Goliath of magic, with Doctor Strange being the weaker more skilled David and the Scarlet Witch being the stronger but less skilled Goliath. The Scarlet Witch wins. Doctor Strange, America Chavez, the sorcerers of Kamar Taj, the Illuminati, not even Professor X, nothing could stop Wanda Maximoff.
• Strange vs. Karl Mordo is filled with awesome, with Strange showcasing where all his martial arts training went, fighting him square on without the use of his magic.
  • Also, how it's set up. Strange realizes the best way to needle Mordo is to play up to his ego, accusing him of being jealous of his world's Strange and goading him into an attack...which allows Strange to break free of his mystical cuffs. Considering how quickly Mordo was to violence, it's entirely possible Strange was right.
• Strange (Earth-616) is sent flying into a piano by Sinister Strange. After getting back on his feet, he spots the sheet music lying around and uses it to create a symphony to attack his variant. Not to be outdone, Sinister Strange throws the attack back at him. The soundtrack in that scene by Danny Elfman is spellbinding, no pun intended. It's easily one of the most unique battles the MCU has ever thrown at us and the visuals are splendid.
• Wanda's arrival at the Tomb of the Damned at Mount Wundagore, mixed with pure nightmare fuel. An accursed temple on unholy ground, and the origin of the Darkhold itself. They enter, the guardians emerge... and bow to her. The temple is revealed to be a throne room from which Wanda is to rule or destroy the multiverse. The implications are equally awesome and horrifying.
• The Zombie Strange that is seen in the promo material? It's none other than 616-Strange using dream walking to possess the corpse of Defender Strange, using the form to deliver a Big Damn Heroes moment.
  • Souls of the Damned come pouring out of Strange, and what does Palmer (Earth-838) do? Use a magical artefact and a torch as a firehose to put them down and give a semi-comatose Strange a Rousing Speech.
  • When the Souls of the Damned attack him, what does Strange do? He takes Palmer's (Earth-838) advice and puts them to submission and uses them as a nightmarish Cloak of Levitation. It's a feat Ragman with his suit of souls would be proud of!
  • Not only that, he actually puts up a decent fight against Wanda, keeping her distracted for just long enough. In fact, it's the only time in the entire movie she seems genuinely overwhelmed.
    Strange: This time, it's gonna take more than killing me to kill me!
• Christine (Earth-838) managing to fight off the damned souls using light to destroy them. More specifically, she uses a chalice-like relic and a candle to do so—seemingly the same relic that Strange attempted, but failed, to use against Kaecilius in the first film.
  Christine: Go back to Hell!
• America Chavez runs from Wanda all throughout the film. However, in the finale, she uses her ability to send them both to Earth-838, right in front of Billy and Tommy, who flee in terror and causes Wanda's Heel Realization.
  • Even before that, she listens as Wanda states her children will never know that their mother killed a child to get to them. America's response?
    America Chavez: But you will.
  • Wanda's (Earth-838) response to Wanda is also worthy of note. This woman has possessed her, used her to commit horrific crimes, run roughshod over her body (walking barefoot over literal broken glass), dumped her outside reality once she was done with her, then turned up willing to kill her in order to steal her children. What does she do, with an utterly broken Wanda on her knees as the Heel Realization sets in? Breaks away from her children and gently takes Wanda's cheek in a silent expression of compassion. That is an act of kindness and grace worthy of Superman himself.
• The alternate Wanda's children attack the Scarlet Witch to protect their mother. They are children with no powers and they attack the most powerful thing short of the Gods in the MCU by throwing stuff at her just because she tried to hurt their mom. Also, this is what starts the Scarlet Witch's Heel Realization, meaning it actually worked.
• In The Stinger, Doctor Strange is walking down the street and is greeted by an unfamiliar face, who insists he has work to do in recompense for all his past actions. Who is this person? Clea, who opens a portal into the Dark Dimension. Strange immediately suits up and joins her.
  • Worth noting is that he makes a point of opening his newly-gained third eye. The most hopeful outcome is that, despite the traumatic nature of its awakening, Strange might have mastered it.

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