After waiting for five years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) show Ironheart finally makes it to our screens. In six short episodes, we meet a wealth of new characters, experience a ton of emotional highs and lows with cliffhangers galore, and revelations with far-reaching consequences across the MCU. But most of all, we end up captivated by this touching story of family.
What Is Ironheart About?
We first met Ironheart protagonist, Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Don’t worry, if you don’t remember everything about the film, or worse, haven’t watched it yet (how is that even possible?), this MCU show is only loosely connected to the film, so you won’t miss anything.
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Created by Chinaka Hodge, the story in Ironheart is relatively self-contained. You don’t have to do much MCU or comic book homework to understand what’s happening. The creative team develops Riri’s origin story, as well as that of the show’s antagonist, The Hood (Anthony Ramos), within the six episodes.
What you need to know is that Riri is a genius inventor, and she’s decided to use her talents to create an iron suit—aka, the kind Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) was known for. But while Tony was a billionaire with generational wealth and resources at hand, Riri is decidedly on her own.
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Riri has to find different avenues to realize her ambitions, and that’s how she ends up working with The Hood and his gang of skilled criminals.
The Hood is a creepy little dude who has his own agenda. And it’s not long before Riri and The Hood are at odds with one another. How will Riri protect the people she loves against a force she knows nothing about?
Ironheart Is Brilliantly Executed
I’m a cynic, and I am concerned that Ironheart is not going to get the love it deserves. Because let’s be honest, there’s a pattern when it comes to which MCU properties are adored and perceived as successful. That pattern doesn’t include a Black female protagonist or a supporting cast of actors of color.
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People would be missing out if they skipped Ironheart. It is a joy to watch. Irrespective of who you are, the story of a young person desperate to get over a past tragedy and realize their dreams is hardly alien territory. And that’s the story at the heart of Ironheart—Riri’s life experiences are universal.
The show has a youthful vibe, fit for its protagonist. There are echoes of Ms. Marvel in some of the elements, like the title cards, how technology is used and displayed, plus the youthful shenanigans of Riri and her circle. Plus, a soundtrack that’s equal parts fun and emotional.
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Creator Chinaka Hodge and the writing team create a story full of intrigue and mystery. They eke out the origins of the lead characters, allowing the viewer to ponder their motivations and actions. Combined with crisp direction by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes, Ironheart is compelling from start to finish.
One of the main reasons why you can’t stop watching the show is because of the cliffhangers. Each episode leaves you desperate for more.
The Characters Feel Real
Aside from Riri, the rest of the cast are brand new to the MCU, but they’re all compelling to watch. All the actors put in subtle but distinct performances. The best part is that they react like regular people. The dialogue is conversational, and the actors leverage the everyday dialogue to produce believable performances and character dynamics.
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Dominique Thorne is cocky and resilient as Riri, but she shines brightest when Riri is faced with emotional upheaval. Anthony Ramos is magnetic—I was unsure of him at the start because he seemed so normal, but that’s part of the ploy. He’s fascinating to watch the longer he’s on screen.
Alden Ehrenreich is a lot of fun in Ironheart. He may be young Han Solo to some, but this is him at his Cocaine Bear best. He and Thorne make for an entertaining on-screen duo.
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But the highlight of the show is Lyric Ross as Natalie. She is absolutely extraordinary, bringing banter and happiness to the often-tense proceedings of the show. Her comedic timing is always on point, yet she shines just as brightly during emotional scenes. Ross is a great addition to the MCU.
What’s Next for Ironheart?
Ironheart is six episodes long, and the finale ends with a massive revelation and a cliffhanger. The events of the show should have repercussions for the rest of the MCU. But how?
At the time of writing, we don’t know if the show has been renewed. So far, none of these characters have been announced as returning in any other property. So, if there’s a future of Ironheart, we’re not privy to it at the moment.
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One does hope, however, that a cast centring a Black family and other characters of colour will get to be part of the MCU again. We can only wait and see.
Ironheart airs on Disney+ starting Tuesday, June 24.
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