Streaming on: Disney+
Episodes viewed: 6 of 6
It’s been three years since the MCU introduced genius inventor Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Though Thorne made her presence felt in that blockbuster, Ironheart — a six-episode miniseries created by Chinaka Hodge and executive-produced by Ryan Coogler — presents a prime opportunity to spotlight her burgeoning superhero in a big way. But while the added focus on her world is welcome, it’s in service of a character that’s difficult to warm to, in a story that fails to truly ignite.
Where the comics have Riri fighting villains as soon as she crafts her first suit of armour, Hodge and co take her in a very different direction. In this series, she teams up with a gang of criminals led by Parker Robbins, aka ‘the Hood’ (Anthony Ramos), on multiple nefarious jobs. Making a deal with the devil in order to build an armoured suit and fulfil creative ambitions without the resources of Tony Stark is a solid starting point, even if the rich themes of access and privilege go mostly unexplored.
Though the central narrative underwhelms, there are occasional bright spots.
But it ends up being the first in a mountain of selfish, morally questionable decisions that make Riri hard to root for over the season. This is the most aggressively unheroic ‘hero’ the MCU has ever produced; rarely does she save or fight for someone other than herself. And if you were hoping for some impressive armoured action, manage your expectations: the VFX may look polished, but those scenes are mostly restricted to flying until the finale.
Though the central narrative underwhelms, there are occasional bright spots. The relationship between Riri and her best-friend-turned-AI Natalie is brought to life beautifully by Thorne and Lyric Ross. Everything from the way they talk to each other to the Chicago community they inhabit and the winning soundtrack is wonderfully observed, a clear by-product of the many Black voices both in front of and behind the camera. Additionally, this grounded corner of the MCU is smartly woven into its more magical elements, leading to the introduction of a major character who will surely be a recurring presence in future movies and shows.
But while that’s not nothing, it’s also not enough to walk away from this show feeling satisfied. When the final episode concludes, we’re left wondering what the point of it all was when the lead character is still making selfish choices, still showcasing a frustrating lack of growth. If we get to see the continuation of Riri’s journey, much tinkering will be required to ensure her next chapter is worth the investment.
