Marvel and Disney provided all eight episodes of Wonder Man ahead of its January 27 release on Disney+, and going into the series, I found myself both excited and cautiously skeptical. As a longtime MCU fan, it’s no secret that quality across Marvel’s Disney+ output has been uneven lately. With Ironheart being the most recent series—and one I wasn’t particularly fond of—I tempered my expectations. Still, the cast, creative team, and focus on a lesser-known Marvel character made Wonder Man intriguing.
Despite owning a few Wonder Man comic issues and being generally well-versed in Marvel lore, Simon Williams has always existed on the fringes of my fandom. Unlike properties such as Guardians of the Galaxy, which I already knew well before their MCU debut, Wonder Man felt like an opportunity to explore new territory. That sense of unfamiliarity ultimately worked in the show’s favor.
Created by Andrew Guest and Destin Daniel Cretton, alongside several other directors, Wonder Man stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a struggling actor desperate to make his mark in Hollywood. When a legendary filmmaker announces a remake of the classic Wonder Man movie, Simon’s dreams suddenly feel within reach—but his journey is complicated by a secret he’s forced to keep hidden: he has real superpowers in a world that has learned to distrust enhanced individuals.
Right from the start, Wonder Man signals that it’s different. The series opens under the Marvel Spotlight banner, clearly framing itself as a more contained story within the MCU. This isn’t a project designed to directly feed into the next Avengers event, and for some viewers, that may be disappointing. However, as someone who’s been immersed in Marvel content for years, I found the shift refreshing.
Despite its title, Wonder Man is not a traditional superhero show. Yes, Simon has powers, and yes, there are characters actively trying to expose him, but action is minimal. There’s only one brief standout action sequence, and the series largely avoids spelling out the full scope of Simon’s abilities. Instead, his powers surface primarily during moments of emotional intensity. This approach may frustrate viewers expecting a conventional origin story, but it reinforces the show’s true focus: the struggle of an actor chasing a dream in an industry that won’t accept who he really is.
One of the show’s strongest elements is the dynamic between Simon and Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role from Iron Man 3 (and Shang Chi). Slattery serves as the series’ secondary lead, and his mentorship-like relationship with Simon adds humor, warmth, and an unexpected emotional layer. Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley share excellent chemistry, grounding the series in character rather than spectacle.
The series also maintains light but meaningful MCU connections through characters like Agent P (played by Arian Moayed), tying the story loosely to Spider-Man: No Way Home and Ms. Marvel. These elements reinforce that Wonder Man exists in the MCU without letting the larger universe overwhelm its intimate narrative.
Technically, the show is strong across the board. The cinematography, sound design, costume work, and restrained visual effects all work in its favor. Because the series avoids constant spectacle, its effects never feel rushed or underbaked—a welcome change from some streaming-era Marvel projects.
Where Wonder Man stumbles is in its latter half. While I was fully engaged during the first three to four episodes, the pacing falters midway through the season. A full black-and-white episode devoted entirely to exposition—explaining why Hollywood rejects superpowered actors—halts the narrative momentum at a crucial point. While the context is important, dedicating an entire episode to it ultimately undercuts the emotional drive built earlier in the series.
The final episodes never quite recover that initial spark. The finale wraps things up in a satisfying but somewhat muted way, including a major character decision that’s resolved almost as quickly as it’s introduced. By the end, I found myself appreciating the experience more than loving it—a show I admired for its ambition, even if it didn’t fully stick the landing.
Ultimately, Wonder Man is one of the MCU’s most unconventional entries. It’s not about saving the world or building toward the next crossover event. It’s a character study about ambition, identity, and self-worth—told through the lens of a man who happens to have superpowers. That choice won’t work for everyone, but for viewers open to something different, there’s genuine value here.
While the series is undeniably a mixed bag, it’s one I enjoyed more than I didn’t. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II brings charm and vulnerability to Simon Williams, Ben Kingsley is a highlight, and the show’s willingness to take creative risks deserves recognition. Wonder Man may not redefine the MCU, but it does remind us that there’s still room for experimentation within it.
Rating: 6.5/10