After many, many months of rumor, speculation, and fan theories, the release of Marvel sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is imminent, and the reviews are now in. Directed by beloved filmmaker Sam Raimi and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, and Rachel McAdams, how has Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness fared with the critics?

We begin with Dan Jolin of Empire Magazine, who found a lot to love about Doctor Strange’s adventure into the multiverse. Giving the MCU movie a hugely impressive 4/5, they praised the excitement and energy of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and commended director Sam Raimi.

“Marvel's most deranged and energetic movie yet, as much of a winning comeback for director Sam Raimi as it is a mega-budget exercise in universal stakes-raising.”

The appreciation for the presence and horror-infused vision of Evil Dead and Spider-Man 2 director Sam Raimi is a consistent theme throughout the critical response, with Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair calling the addition of the director to the Marvel Cinematic Universe “inspired.”

“Multiverse of Madness hurtles its characters from one reality to another, shedding the blandness of its opening stretch and giving Raimi, bless him, room to do things his way. As the film unfolds, Raimi’s hiring proves ever more inspired.”

The love for Raimi continues with Brian Truitt from USA Today, who found the director’s skills a welcome relief from the typical Marvel fare.

“While the Marvel-ness of “Madness” will make your head spin, Raimi’s signature style, penchant for the macabre and sense of humor oddly ground the film.”

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly felt that Raimi’s fingerprints were all over Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, even up to the end credits; “Even down to the last obligatory post-credit scenes Raimi forges his own weird, irreverent magic, a method in the Madness.” While ScreenCrush’s Matt Singer simply conclues that the sequel is, “A Sam Raimi movie through and through.”

Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch Steals the Show

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Marvel Studios
Disney

Alongside Sam Raimi, much praise has been aimed toward Elizabeth Olsen and her performance as a damaged, hurting Wanda Maximoff, AKA The Scarlet Witch. As our own Julian Roman puts it...

“Elizabeth Olsen steals the show with a butt-kicking, emotionally complex performance. Wanda has suffered so much pain. Her character arc is quite intriguing. She has become immensely powerful. I highly recommend watching WandaVision before seeing this film.”

Sadly, not everyone was swept off their feet by Doctor Strange’s multiversal escapade. Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post savaged Marvel’s latest, giving it 1/4 and stating that “The Marvel Cinematic Universe has officially jumped the Stark.” Variety’s Owen Gleiberman meanwhile described the movie as a “mess,” though they did enjoy some of what Doctor Strange 2 has to offer.

“Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” is a ride, a head trip, a CGI horror jam, a what-is-reality Marvel brainteaser and, at moments, a bit of an ordeal. It’s a somewhat engaging mess, but a mess all the same.”

Back to the positives, David Ehrlich of indieWire found deeper meaning amid the CGI adventure, even feeling that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness could be a major turning point for the MCU as a whole.

“A film about broken people who are searching for the strength to get by without the things that made them what they are, in a franchise that has finally started to figure out how to do precisely that.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be released in the United States on May 6 as part of Phase Four of the MCU.