Phil Roberts 
Explore the dark and intriguing story of Agatha Harkness in AGATHA ALL ALONG. Find out if this new Disney Plus series lives up to its potential.
I wouldn’t have chosen Agatha Harkness a few years ago if you had asked me which MCU character should have their own series. Though her role in WandaVision was delightfully twisted and provided some of the show’s best moments, I wasn’t wholly invested in the character. I definitely wouldn’t have expected her to get her own series. However, today, the first two episodes of AGATHA ALL ALONG are streaming on Disney Plus, and I’m happy to say that the show has won me over to a point. Sadly, it’s not all sweetness and light; there are flaws in this new MCU spell, and they hold the show back from becoming a standout.
While the series offers an enjoyable and eerie experience, it ultimately falls short. The spooky ambiance adds to its appeal, and Kathryn Hahn brings wonderfully wicked energy, but the supporting cast is sidelined with stereotypical and cliched storylines that undercut their significance. The outcome is a fun but flawed experience that requires more time to flesh out the story.
REVIEW
After the events in WandaVision, the series promptly reintroduces us to Agatha Harkness, who is still grappling with the aftermath of Wanda’s spell. Her mind is in disarray, and she firmly believes she is a member of Westview’s police force. The discovery of Wanda’s body sets off a disturbance in the hex, prompting Agatha to embark on a journey of self-discovery and compelling her to delve deep into her true identity. The arrival of Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) further weakens the spell, rousing Agatha from her slumber and compels her to confront a terrible truth. Wanda Maximoff is dead, and the potential for her to regain her powers dies with her.
From here, Agatha sets off on a journey to reclaim her powers. Along the way, she bumps into Joe Locke’s Teen, whose backstory is shrouded in mystery. But undeterred, Agatha and Teen set off to build a coven strong enough to summon the gateway to the legendary Witches’ Road. In walking the road to its conclusion, Agatha hopes to reclaim her powers and restore herself to wicked prominence.
THE COVEN
As all the main characters gear up for the challenges ahead, we expect the series to dive into the Halloween spirit and provide us with a wealth of Halloween-themed trials. However, that’s not what happens. Just as the mystery surrounding Agatha’s punishment is unveiled, it quickly loses its allure. Don’t get me wrong; the series is still filled with spooky occurrences and dark forces emerging to take down Agatha once and for all. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.
The series quickly shifts its tone away from the supernatural spookiness and embraces the comedic aspects of the material. While Kathryn Hahn’s brilliance shines through and delivers some fantastic sequences, fans hoping to see the all-powerful entity she became at the end of WandaVision will be disappointed. The series’ value lies in Agatha’s well-played and shady cynicism, which tempers the comedic aspects. However, the horror vibe we all yearn for is pushed to the background throughout the two-part premiere.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
I have some concerns about the supporting characters in this series. Each new coven member seems to have a very typical and predictable backstory. They’ve all experienced a downfall in their witchcraft careers and hope to redeem themselves by overcoming the challenges of the Witches Road. Unfortunately, their stories lack originality, and their character development unfolds exactly as expected. This formulaic approach to storytelling becomes tiresome after a while and feels overused. Agatha’s classic sarcastic charm does a great job of covering up the flaws of these imperfect characters, and Hahn’s stunning performance makes up for any shortcomings. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the genuine issues this series grapples with.
Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal is the only new character that manages to avoid these cliches. Plaza seamlessly transitions into her new role in the MCU. Her character adds depth and complexity, perfectly contrasting Harkness’s sharpness, and the dynamic between Plaza and Hahn is genuinely captivating.
AUBREY PLAZA
The marketing strategy for Marvel has recently changed to prominently feature Plaza on posters and trailers, and after watching the first few episodes, it’s clear why. Plaza effortlessly steals the spotlight here, and her performance is on par with Hahn’s at every turn. I would love to see a series that focuses on the duo of Harkness and Rio as they embark on their campaign to conquer the witches’ realm in the future. Such a series would be incredibly valuable. Hopefully, Marvel recognizes the potential of this duo and brings them together as a double act before the series concludes. It would be a missed opportunity not to explore this new alliance.
A DARKER TONE?
The tone of the series is off to a great start. It brings back memories of Hocus Pocus with its eerie atmosphere and haunting ambiance, making it one of the darkest takes on the property so far. While it’s a natural follow-up to WandaVision, the tone has taken a darker turn. Unfortunately, the show doesn’t fully embrace its horror vibe, given that it’s a Marvel project. Nevertheless, the sense of dread in the air is tangible, making the show one of the darkest in Marvel’s lineup.
The show’s tone is perfectly complemented by the haunting score created by Christophe Beck and Michael Paraskevas. Beck’s previous work in the MCU, scoring the Ant-Man movies, makes his return to this series all the more exciting. Their collaboration has resulted in beautifully dark soundscapes that intensify the sense of dread. Their haunting music becomes a character in its own right, hitting all the right notes. The music and tone of this series, along with the outstanding performances by Kahn and Plaza, truly stand out as the series’ crown jewels.
VERDICT
AGATHA ALL ALONG presents a mixed bag. Plaza and Hahn deliver sensational performances, and the show’s tone and soundtrack alone justify the subscription fee. Unfortunately, the show falters due to some lazy writing that creates wooden and cliched supporting characters, some of which are the most uninspired in MCU history. While Debra Jo Rupp’s return as Sharon Davis is a welcome addition, and Joe Locke’s debut as Teen is adequate, the rest of the coven, despite solid performances from its stars, are burdened by clunky and tired backstories.
Critiquing a show after only four episodes may seem a bit harsh. However, as I reached the halfway mark, I couldn’t see any indication that these characters would escape the constraints of the screenplay. On the bright side, the series is undeniably perfect for Halloween and is suitable for the whole family. A few scenes might scare younger viewers, but overall, the show offers an enjoyable experience with more strengths than weaknesses.
So, get ready for seven weeks of spooky Marvel fun. It might have been Agatha All Along, but the real magic of the series lies in Kathryn Hahn’s captivating performance… It may have its flaws, but it’s an enchanting ride!
Marvel’s Agatha All Along has now conjured its premiere episodes on Disney Plus.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
