Let’s be honest: the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been in a rough patch these last few years, with critics and fans alike questioning whether Marvel lost the plot somewhere between Endgame and the multiverse chaos. But here’s the thing—Marvel seems to have heard the feedback. Over the past year, the studio has shifted focus from quantity to quality, delivering genuinely solid entries like Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Daredevil: Born Again, and even the surprisingly fun Marvel Zombies.
Wonder Man slides comfortably into this winning streak, and it does so by doing something radical: it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. This isn’t a series preoccupied with setting up the next big crossover event or explaining multiversal mechanics. Instead, it’s focused on telling one good story about interesting characters—and honestly? That’s exactly what the MCU needs more of right now.
Marvel Spotlight Delivers on Its Promise
Wonder Man serves as genuine proof-of-concept for the “Marvel Spotlight” branding that started with Echo. These series are specifically designed to be smaller-scale, more character-focused, and more creator-driven than typical MCU fare—and this show delivers on that promise in spades. The stakes here are refreshingly personal rather than world-ending. You won’t find any infinity stones or reality-threatening villains here. What you will find is a well-rounded, surprisingly grounded portrait of the MCU’s newest superhero—though calling Simon Williams a “superhero” at all might be generous, and that’s part of what makes this series so charming.
Wonder Man proves to be less a traditional superhero origin story and more a workplace drama about a struggling actor who just happens to have destructive ionic powers he’d really rather not think about, thank you very much. It’s The Wrestler meets The Disaster Artist with a light dusting of superhuman abilities, and that unusual cocktail works far better than it has any right to.
The Chemistry That Carries Everything
Here’s the truth: this premise lives and dies on the strength of its lead actors, and that’s where Wonder Man truly shines like the ionic energy coursing through Simon’s veins. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley make for an absolutely winning pair as fellow struggling actors Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery, both of whom find themselves competing for roles in Hollywood’s much-anticipated remake of the classic Wonder Man movie (yes, movies exist about superheroes within the MCU—the meta levels here are delightful).
Both Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley are formidable performers individually—we’ve seen their work across numerous projects. But it’s their unexpected chemistry together that carries the show forward from episode to episode, turning what could have been a standard buddy comedy into something with genuine heart. Simon and Trevor’s unlikely bromance is just that charming, filled with the kind of lived-in authenticity that makes you believe these two weary performers would actually become friends.
One of the series’ best scenes comes early on, as the two frazzled thespians sit in Simon’s cramped apartment and simply blow off steam by trading dramatic monologues like theater kids showing off for each other. It’s a quiet moment that does something important: it reminds us that both men—the actors and their characters—have genuine talent being wasted by an industry that doesn’t know what to do with them.
Trevor Slattery’s Redemption Arc We Didn’t Know We Needed
Kingsley is a known quantity in the MCU at this point, continuing his character arc from 2013’s Iron Man 3, 2014’s Marvel One-Shot All Hail the King, and 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. On paper, it might seem random to suddenly thrust Trevor back into the spotlight after all these years, but he makes for a natural companion and occasional foil to Simon’s earnest striver energy.
And here’s what’s genuinely lovely: for a character who was mostly played for laughs before now, we finally get to see a softer, more genuine side of Trevor Slattery. He’s still the somewhat bumbling actor with delusions of grandeur, but the series gives him depth, showing us the insecurity and genuine talent hiding beneath the bluster.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Makes Simon Williams Unforgettable
As for Simon, Abdul-Mateen brings all the charisma, humor, and pathos to the role that the scripts demand and then some. The series establishes a compelling arc for Simon, painting him as a driven, passionate actor who’s constantly held back by his pathological fear of showing his true self. The fact that his true self happens to be a superhuman with destructive ionic powers that could level a city block just further complicates an already complicated situation.
Abdul-Mateen deftly captures all sides of this multifaceted character and makes us genuinely care about Simon’s journey from rags to riches and the difficult moral crossroads that comes next. He’s playing someone pretending to be normal while harboring a dangerous secret, and then pretending to be a fictional superhero who’s actually closer to his real self—the layers here are delicious, and Abdul-Mateen navigates them with skill.
The Supporting Cast Problem
The only real problem with having two such compelling main characters is that the rest of the cast struggles to emerge from their collective shadow. Most of the supporting characters are thinly defined and two-dimensional at best, whether it’s Simon’s well-meaning but underdeveloped mother (Shola Adewusi) and disapproving brother Eric (Demetrius Grosse), or Wonder Man movie director Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić), who exists mostly to bark instructions and look vaguely European.
Grosse’s Eric Williams is especially bizarre from a comics perspective because this is actually a major Avengers villain in the source material—the Grim Reaper, no less—but here he’s reduced to little more than a sternly disapproving older brother figure who doesn’t understand why Simon won’t just get a “real job.” All the episodes clock in around the half-hour mark, and it’s hard not to wonder if the series might have benefited from a few extra minutes devoted to fleshing out these supporting players a bit more, giving them arcs beyond simply reacting to Simon’s choices.
The MCU Elements Actually Enhance the Drama
Frankly, the two leads are strong enough that the series could probably work simply as a straight drama about two struggling actors navigating Hollywood’s brutal ecosystem, no MCU elements needed whatsoever. But though Wonder Man definitely downplays the superheroics compared to typical Marvel fare, it does benefit from those genre elements in meaningful ways.
The early reveal that Trevor is secretly working with Arian Moayed’s Agent Cleary and the Department of Damage Control (DODC) to spy on Simon adds a fun wrinkle of tension to their developing friendship. Is Trevor genuine, or is this all an act? Can their bond survive this betrayal when it inevitably comes to light? These questions add stakes to scenes that might otherwise be simple hangout moments, and it all pays off beautifully in the end when Simon finally reaches the point where he has to choose between being an actual hero or simply playing one on the big screen for millions of dollars.
Episode 4: “Doorman” Steals the Entire Show
As enjoyable as Wonder Man is across its eight-episode run, the series easily reaches its absolute height in Episode 4, titled “Doorman”—and I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be one of the best single episodes of television Marvel has ever produced. That’s despite this episode being almost completely divorced from the rest of the series’ ongoing narrative.
“Doorman” relates the sad, hilarious, and ultimately heartbreaking saga of DeMarr Davis (Byron Bowers), a literal nightclub doorman who gains what might be the world’s stupidest superpower—he can create portals, but only to other doorways—and somehow parlays this into his 15 minutes of fame before it all comes crashing down. By the episode’s end, we learn exactly why Hollywood studios have instituted a “Doorman Clause” barring superhuman performers like Simon from working on film projects, and it’s both darkly funny and genuinely tragic.
“Doorman” accomplishes more in 30 minutes than some entire seasons of television manage. It captures the series at its funniest, including making surprisingly hilarious use of Josh Gad playing a fictionalized, absolutely terrible version of himself (the casting here is chef’s kiss). But it’s also a deeply tragic story that makes you feel for this Z-list Marvel hero who thought his powers would finally make him special, only to discover that being special doesn’t mean being valued.
And because it’s essentially telling a standalone story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, it’s entirely possible to tune into Episode 4 alone and get a complete, satisfying experience. Just think of it as another Marvel Studios Special Presentation like 2022’s excellent Werewolf by Night—a perfect little short film that exists within the MCU but doesn’t require homework to enjoy.
How the Bromance Survives Betrayal
Again, Wonder Man is a fairly low-stakes show as far as MCU series go—there are no infinity stones here, no multiversal incursions, no Kang variants lurking in the shadows. The two burning questions fueling the plot are refreshingly human: “Will Simon and Trevor get their big break?” and “Will Trevor betray Simon for his own personal gain?” That’s it. That’s the show. And somehow, that’s enough.
These questions all come to a head in the penultimate episode, “Kathy Friedman,” where the two newly minted stars have their friendship torpedoed by the titular meddling reporter who smells a story in their unusual connection and Simon’s mysterious past.
It’s genuinely interesting how writer and co-creator Andrew Guest opts to resolve that central conflict in Episode 8, “Yucca Valley.” The pivotal sequence where Trevor chooses to revive his infamous Mandarin persona to take the blame for the explosion Simon caused at the studio is both funny and deeply moving—a perfect encapsulation of what this show does well. It’s a character moment that works on multiple levels: it’s a callback to Iron Man 3 that actually enhances both that film and this series, it’s a hilarious visual (Kingsley clearly relishing the chance to put the costume back on), and it’s a genuinely heroic sacrifice that shows Trevor’s growth.
Trevor is hauled off to a DODC prison, accepting responsibility for his past mistakes and using his most famous role for good rather than personal gain, and Simon gets to maintain his secret identity while enjoying his hard-earned success as a movie star. Problem solved, right?
The Extended Epilogue That Actually Matters
Upon first viewing, it’s a little strange seeing things resolve themselves so quickly, making what follows feel at first like an extended epilogue. The pacing here is unusual for modern television, which typically builds to a climax in the final minutes. Instead, the major conflict resolves with significant time remaining, and we’re left wondering where the show is going.
It’s only very late in the game, when it becomes clear what Simon is actually up to with his sudden foray into intense method acting (studying safecracking, guard routines, and security systems), that everything clicks into place. Simon uses the power of acting—his actual superpower, arguably more than the ionic energy—to con his way into the DODC prison and break Trevor out. The bromance endures. The credits roll on our two heroes, fugitives now, but together.
As odd as the structure of this finale is, this feels like a narratively necessary twist for Simon’s character arc. Up until that point, he had never truly succeeded in opening up and embracing that side of himself he worked so hard to suppress. Even when earning the coveted Wonder Man role, he completely bungled the soul-baring improv challenge and only succeeded by virtue of reading his lines really, really well—being technically perfect but emotionally closed off.
The character needed to do something that showed he’s finally at peace with himself and his powers, willing to risk everything for someone he cares about, and that’s exactly what we get in those final scenes. It’s a much more satisfying conclusion than “hero learns to accept himself” told through a generic fight scene.
What Comes Next for Wonder Man?
The beautiful thing is that the ending leaves the door completely open for more adventures with Wonder Man and his faithful sidekick, Trevor Slattery. What becomes of this dynamic duo? Does Simon make an honest attempt at being a proper superhero, using his powers to help people? Does he go back to the acting grind, trying to rebuild a career while on the DODC’s most-wanted list? Do he and Trevor become fugitives on the run, Thelma & Louise-style? Do we eventually get a more comics-accurate, Avengers-adjacent take on the character in a potential Season 2?
Who knows? There’s absolutely no guarantee we’ll ever see these characters again in the MCU—these streaming shows have a habit of disappearing into the content void, never to be referenced again. But then again, plenty of people thought the same thing about post-Iron Man 3 Trevor Slattery, and look how that turned out. They said the same about Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns after The Incredible Hulk, and he’s finally returning in Captain America: Brave New World. You really never know with this shared universe—characters can disappear for years and suddenly become crucial again.
A Potential Setup for the MCU’s Future?
I do wonder if Wonder Man might be setting the tone for the MCU going forward in one important regard. The idea that the Department of Damage Control is aggressively rounding up and imprisoning rogue superhumans could be a significant plot point moving forward, especially as we head toward the eventual soft reboot that Avengers: Secret Wars seems designed to deliver.
They may be having trouble filling their prisons now, with relatively few powered individuals to worry about, but what happens when more mutants start appearing on the scene post-Secret Wars? Is this seemingly minor plot point actually a taste of things to come—a ground-level view of how the MCU will handle the integration of the X-Men and mutant population? Will the DODC become this universe’s version of the Mutant Registration Act or the Sentinels?
It’s probably reading too much into what’s ultimately a character-focused show, but the MCU has a history of planting seeds years in advance. Food for thought as we wait to see where Phase 6 takes us.
The Verdict: Small-Scale Success
Anyone who judges their MCU content solely by how much it drives the overarching narrative of this shared universe may not find much to love in Wonder Man. This smaller-scale series couldn’t care less about multiverses, Kangs, or setting up the next Avengers roster. The only gratuitous cameos are of the real-world celebrity variety (that Josh Gad appearance is still making me laugh). But that’s precisely the point, and it’s why the show works.
Wonder Man is fundamentally about exploring the lives of two struggling actors as they become deeply intertwined through circumstance, ambition, and genuine affection, and there it truly succeeds. The series is funny and heartfelt in equal measure, finding humor in the absurdity of superhuman powers in a grounded setting while never losing sight of the very human emotions at its core. It thrives on the considerable strength of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley’s performances, which anchor even the series’ weaker moments.
Regardless of your current thoughts on the state of the MCU—whether you’re a die-hard defender or someone who checked out after Endgame—this one is genuinely worth your time. It’s a reminder that Marvel’s best stories have always been about characters first, spectacle second. In an era of multiverse madness and ever-escalating stakes, there’s something refreshing about a show that remembers superheroes are just people with problems, trying to figure out who they want to be.
Rating: 7.5/10
What did you think of Wonder Man? Did Episode 4’s “Doorman” hit as hard for you as it did for us? And do you think we’ll see Simon Williams join the Avengers eventually, or is he destined to remain a Hollywood footnote? Let us know in the comments below!
