We at Knight Edge Media were granted access to the first four episodes of Marvel Studios’ newest series Moon Knight on Disney+. Many of the complaints about the Disney+ shows is how small the stakes are for the heroes. While most enjoyed WandaVision, both The Falcon & The Winter Soldier or Hawkeye were bite-sized stories in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Now Marvel Studios introduces audiences to Moon Knight, played by star Oscar Issac. Many don’t know, but when he was originally cast in X-Men: Apocalypse as the main antagonist, the actor often spoke about his love for Egyptian or Biblical lore (via The Hollywood Reporter). However, the actor has since mentioned his distaste for the 2016 film. Fast-forward almost five years, and the actor is once again thrust into the world of Egyptian gods and the underworld of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The show’s premise is “Is any of this real?” for British gift shop cashier Steven Grant. All he knows is that he constantly wakes up in places that he didn’t go to bed to. As the story unfolds for both the audience and Steven Grant, we slowly learn that he has an entirely different life led by American mercenary Marc Spector. Like the comics, Marc Spector has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DiD). Marc Spector is aware of Steven Grant’s existence, but Steven Grant has no idea who Marc Spector is. While speaking to each other (or himself) brings several authentically hilarious exchanges between the two personalities. Steven Grant is timid, while Marc Spector is heroic and brave. Most audiences have grown tired of Marvel Studios’ “quips” from the films, but here the humor is spot on because of Oscar Isaac’s performance.
Without getting too far into the spoiler plot points of the show. We, as the audience, are taken on a journey with Steven Grant into the dark horrors of the Marvel Underworld. While Marc Spector knows he is an instrument of bravery and justice for the Egyptian Moon god Khonshu. Steven Grant also has value to help move the story along against former “Moon Knight” Arthur Harrow, played by Ethan Hawke. Marc and Steven simply must learn to work together throughout the series. However, is there another personality hidden deep within neither of them know about, or is this merely a figment of Marc’s imagination?
All-in-All: Moon Knight is the audience’s first big leap into the horror side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe without the help of The Avengers. Oscar Isaac is a mainstay actor moving forward in the MCU. Hopefully, Moon Knight will cross over with other characters like Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Blade, or Werewolf by Night. One thing is for sure, we have entered the Marvel Underworld!
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
