Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a chaotic, visually ambitious, and horror-tinged entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), directed by the legendary Sam Raimi. This film dives headfirst into the concept of parallel universes, twisting realities, and the moral complexities of wielding immense power.

Detailed Summary

Opening Sequence: Strange’s Nightmare and America Chavez

The movie kicks off in another universe where an alternate Doctor Strange (Defender Strange) and America Chavez are trying to reach the Book of Vishanti to stop a monstrous creature. Defender Strange dies trying to protect Chavez, who accidentally opens a portal to another universe — the one we know — and ends up in Earth-616 (our main MCU universe).

Doctor Strange Meets America

In Earth-616, our Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) attends Christine Palmer’s wedding and is soon pulled into action when a giant creature attacks New York, chasing Chavez. After saving her with help from Wong, Strange learns about Chavez’s unique power: she can travel between universes, but she can’t control it. Strange deduces that witchcraft, not sorcery, is at play and visits Wanda Maximoff.

Wanda’s Turn to the Dark Side

In a major twist, Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) is revealed as the antagonist. Consumed by grief and corrupted by the Darkhold after the events of WandaVision, she wants to capture Chavez and steal her powers to reunite with her sons in another universe. Wanda is now the Scarlet Witch and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal, leaving a path of destruction.

Kamar-Taj and the Multiversal Chase

Wanda attacks Kamar-Taj, brutally defeating its defenders. Chavez and Strange escape through a multiverse portal, landing in Earth-838, a more utopian world. Here, they are captured by the Illuminati — a secret council that includes alternate versions of familiar heroes like:

• Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell)
• Captain Marvel (Maria Rambeau)
• Black Bolt (Anson Mount)
• Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski)
• Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart)
• Karl Mordo (Earth-838 Sorcerer Supreme)

The Illuminati tell Strange that their universe’s Strange was corrupted by the Darkhold and had to be destroyed by them, suggesting our Strange may follow the same path.

The Scarlet Witch Slaughters the Illuminati

Wanda uses dreamwalking — a dark magic method to possess her variants — to enter Earth-838 and hunt Chavez. What follows is one of the darkest scenes in MCU history: Wanda mercilessly kills the Illuminati one by one, showcasing Sam Raimi’s horror sensibilities in full force. Strange and Chavez narrowly escape with the help of Earth-838’s Christine Palmer.

Strange and the Darkhold

Back in the multiverse, Strange and Christine flee to a universe devastated by an incursion — a result of two universes colliding. They meet a corrupted, third Strange (“Sinister Strange”) who has destroyed his own reality. After a deadly duel, our Strange takes the Darkhold from Sinister Strange and uses it to dreamwalk into his own corpse (the Defender Strange body), now reanimated as a zombie.

This climactic sequence involves a zombified Strange using souls of the damned as weapons. He and Christine help Chavez confront Wanda in Mount Wundagore — the source of the Darkhold’s power.

Movie Ending

Chavez, finally mastering her powers, shows Wanda a version of herself with her children. When the children recoil in fear, realizing she’s a monster, Wanda is devastated. Realizing the horror of what she’s become, Wanda destroys Mount Wundagore, seemingly sacrificing herself and wiping all versions of the Darkhold from existence across the multiverse.

Afterward, Strange reassures Chavez, who now begins training in Kamar-Taj. Christine returns to her universe, and Strange continues his life — until he suddenly collapses in pain as a third eye opens on his forehead, indicating the Darkhold has left a mark on him.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there are two post-credits scenes:

1. Mid-Credits Scene: Strange is approached by Clea (played by Charlize Theron), a powerful sorceress from the Dark Dimension. She tells him his actions caused an incursion, and they must fix it. Strange opens his third eye and follows her into a portal, setting up a potential Doctor Strange 3.
2. Post-Credits Scene: A comedic scene featuring Bruce Campbell’s character, a street vendor named Pizza Poppa. After being cursed by Strange to punch himself repeatedly, the scene shows him finally stopping and celebrating, breaking the fourth wall with “It’s over!”

Type of Movie

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a superhero action movie with horror and fantasy elements. It’s part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and blends typical MCU action with darker, psychological horror sequences, thanks to Sam Raimi’s direction.

Cast

• Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Stephen Strange
• Elizabeth Olsen – Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
• Xochitl Gomez – America Chavez
• Chiwetel Ejiofor – Karl Mordo (Earth-838)
• Rachel McAdams – Christine Palmer
• Benedict Wong – Wong
• Charlize Theron – Clea (cameo)
• Patrick Stewart – Professor Charles Xavier
• John Krasinski – Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
• Hayley Atwell – Captain Carter
• Anson Mount – Black Bolt
• Lashana Lynch – Captain Marvel (Earth-838)
• Bruce Campbell – Pizza Poppa (cameo)

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Danny Elfman, a longtime collaborator of Raimi. The music swings between heroic Marvel tones and eerie, discordant horror notes. A standout scene is the musical note battle between two versions of Strange — a brilliantly executed combination of visuals and score.

Filming Locations

The film was primarily shot in:

• Longcross Studios, England
• Burrow Hill, Somerset (England countryside scenes)
• New York City (exteriors)

These locations provided both grounded and fantastical backdrops. Much of the multiverse was created using CGI and virtual sets.

Awards and Nominations

The film received several nominations, particularly for visual effects, sound editing, and costume design, though it didn’t win any major awards. It was praised for Olsen’s performance and its unique horror style in the superhero genre.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Sam Raimi returned to superhero movies after 15+ years, his last being Spider-Man 3 (2007).
• Rachel McAdams’ character plays a more active and heroic role compared to the first Doctor Strange film.
• Raimi insisted on practical effects and camera techniques where possible, resulting in more tactile and visually unique horror sequences.
• The Illuminati sequence was kept top-secret, and actors were brought in for very short, secret shoots.
• Danny Elfman’s score was composed partially during pandemic lockdowns, with remote orchestration.

Inspirations and References

• The Darkhold and Scarlet Witch storyline draws heavily from the House of M and Avengers: Disassembled comics.
• The concept of incursions and multiversal collapse ties into Secret Wars, hinting at future MCU storylines.
• Raimi paid homage to his Evil Dead roots, especially in the haunted scenes like Strange dreamwalking into a corpse.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• Several cameos were rumored but cut or never filmed, including Tom Cruise as a variant Iron Man and Deadpool.
• A deleted scene reportedly featured more time with Earth-838’s Illuminati, expanding their world before their deaths.
• Alternate versions of Wanda’s redemption arc were considered, some more ambiguous than the final one used.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While not a direct adaptation, the film pulls from several comics, especially:

• The Multiverse of Madness arc from Doctor Strange comics.
• House of M for Wanda’s breakdown.
• Time Runs Out and Secret Wars for multiversal incursions.

The film takes creative liberties, especially with the Book of Vishanti and the portrayal of Chavez’s powers.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Wanda massacring the Illuminati.
• The musical note battle between two Doctor Stranges.
• Strange dreamwalking into a zombie version of himself.
• Wanda confronting her variant and children.
• The mid-credits introduction of Clea.

Iconic Quotes

• “Dreams are windows into the lives of our multiversal selves.” – Doctor Strange
• “You break the rules and become a hero. I do it and I become the enemy. That doesn’t seem fair.” – Wanda Maximoff
• “This time, it will take more than killing me to kill me.” – Zombie Strange

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Ultron bots in Earth-838 may have been created by a different version of Tony Stark.
• Mount Wundagore is a legendary location in Marvel lore, tied to Chthon, the god of chaos.
• Christine Palmer’s designation of Earth-616 matches the mainline comic universe’s name.
• Pizza Poppa’s inclusion is a callback to Raimi’s Evil Dead actor Bruce Campbell’s tradition of cameos.

Trivia

• First MCU film officially labeled as “horror” by the director.
• The film was initially supposed to be released before Spider-Man: No Way Home.
• Xochitl Gomez was only 14 when she was cast as America Chavez.
• Danny Elfman reused motifs from Raimi’s Spider-Man films as a musical Easter egg.

Why Watch?

Watch it for its bold stylistic departure from standard MCU fare. This is Marvel meets Sam Raimi horror, complete with twisted visuals, magic battles, multiversal doppelgängers, and a morally complex villain. It’s also essential for understanding where the MCU is heading next, especially regarding the multiverse and future threats.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Evil Dead (1981)
• Evil Dead II (1987)
• Army of Darkness (1992)
• Spider-Man (2002)
• Drag Me to Hell (2009)
• Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Recommended Films for Fans

• WandaVision (2021)
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
• Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
• The Flash (2023)
• Doctor Strange (2016)
• The Evil Dead (1981)