Agatha All Along has been highly anticipated, especially for fans of WandaVision who have missed the magic and mystery since its release in 2021.
Before Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) left Westview with the Darkhold, she cast a spell on Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), trapping her as the nosy neighbor, Agnes. Three years later, even though the Scarlet Witch is believed to be dead, Wanda’s spell over Agatha remains. A dangerous rival, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), is out to kill her.
With the help of a mysterious teen (Joe Locke), Agatha’s only chance to get her powers back lies at the end of the Witches’ Road.
Could an unexpected coven — Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), and Mrs. Hart / Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp) — be Agatha’s last hope? Along this road, there are many Marvel Easter eggs, hidden references, and callbacks that fans will enjoy.
Episode 1 of Agatha All Along Nods to Mare of Easttown and Other Crime Dramas
Agatha All Along begins with a strong WandaVision feel, resembling real TV shows mixed with magic. It’s not just a trick to make us remember the good times with WandaVision. Agatha is still stuck under Wanda’s spell, and it seems she is now part of a crime drama series.
The title sequence, using names like Agnes as the credited actor, hints at True Detective with its style and music. At the end, there’s a nod to the Danish series WandaVisdysen, referencing The Killing and other Scandinavian crime thrillers.
However, the most noticeable tribute in Episode 1 is to Mare of Easttown. There is a recently suspended detective, a house filled with memories of a dead child, a girl’s body found in the woods, help from an unwanted department, and a quirky American accent. All these details come directly from the Kate Winslet-led limited series.
Agatha Finds a Clue in a Book Named ‘Dialogue And Rhetoric’
Agatha discovers a library slip from Westview Public Library on the body of a dead girl (Jane Doe). The slip is connected to a book titled Dialogue And Rhetoric: Known History Of Learning & Debate. Agatha learns the book was stolen three years ago, and all copies were destroyed.
This is much like what happened with the Darkhold in WandaVision when it was taken from Agatha, and later, all copies were destroyed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
Agatha quickly notices that the first letters of the book’s title spell “Darkhold,” but she is interrupted before she uncovers more secrets. Interestingly, the author listed, Andrew Ugo, is an anagram for “Wundagore,” which is where Wanda supposedly died.
Wanda Maximoff’s Jane Doe & Key Marvel Dates
The dead girl found in the woods is the focus of Agatha’s investigation and causes her much distress. Before her identity is revealed, some clues point to who she is. She’s in her late 20s, has green eyes, is 5’7″, and has scarlet-colored hair.
Her hands and feet are blackened, which happens to witches when their magic is drained or when the Darkhold corrupts them. Soil from Eastern Europe is found under her nails, and Wundagore, the place Wanda was last seen, is located in Eastern Europe.
The victim also stole the book mentioned earlier, and her name is revealed in the library slip’s last row as “W. Maximoff.” The slip also includes fun Easter eggs: February 16 is Elizabeth Olsen’s birthday, June 2 is Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige’s birthday, and December 28 is Stan Lee’s birthday.
Marvel’s Bellevue Hospital
While Agatha is examining the book stolen from the library, a piece of paper under her notepad has the name “Bellevue” on it. This is a small Easter egg for Marvel fans. In the comics, Bellevue Hospital in New York appears often and is a place where heroes and villains like Night Nurse, Daredevil, Ms. Marvel, and Bullseye visit.
Agatha’s Brooch and Her Styles from WandaVision
Agatha’s brooch, showing the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone), is found on the dead girl’s body. After learning what it means, Agatha becomes very interested, as it is the first clue of her true identity that has slipped out of Wanda’s spell.
She slowly begins to break free from the enchantment. As she tears off different pieces of clothing, we see her go through each of the personas Wanda forced her into during the WandaVision hex.
Señor Scratchy and Salem’s Seven
Señor Scratchy, Agatha’s pet bunny, returns in Agatha All Along. We’ve always thought of him as the MCU’s version of Nicholas Scratch, Agatha’s son in the comics. In the first episode, Agnes’ fake crime world shows her with a son named Nicholas Scratch, who is said to have died.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
In the comics, Nicholas Scratch is an important character, and the introduction of the Salem Seven may hint at a faithful adaptation. The Seven, who are Nicholas’ children (and therefore Agatha’s grandchildren), could play a role in future episodes.
Wanda and Vision’s Westview Home and Post-Traumatic Stress
In other Marvel projects like Hawkeye and Secret Invasion, one of the most interesting aspects was how we got to see the impact of Thanos’ Blip. Half of all life disappeared for five years, and we witnessed how people suffered as a result.
Similarly, Agatha All Along shows the lasting effects of Wanda’s control over Westview’s residents. Three years later, the people of Westview are still dealing with post-traumatic stress.
They refuse to mention Wanda’s name. The abandoned foundation of Wanda and Vision’s home is covered in graffiti. “Evil Witch” is sprayed in red, and the Scarlet Witch’s crown is drawn with a line through it.
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now available to stream on Disney+.
Being a single parent to two boys and trying to escape your past is difficult. It becomes even harder when you’re raising them in an evil-filled forest where you can only roam outside your home for a limited time. The lurking evil seems personally focused on your downfall.
Never Let Go, the latest horror movie from director Alexandre Aja, features a mother raising her children in a cabin surrounded by a shapeshifting, evil force that wants to destroy them. They are only safe if they stay connected to the home’s foundation.
This horror film offers excellent performances but leaves some unresolved issues in its story. While Never Let Go provides a tense, fear-filled experience, audiences might walk away with many unanswered questions about the ending.
What Is Never Let Go About?
Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) are two boys growing up like most children, arguing, spending time together, and living in a cabin in the woods. The difference is that the evil outside is trying to corrupt and destroy them—or at least that’s what their mother (Halle Berry) tells them.
The cabin, passed down from Mama’s family, is protected by an enchantment that keeps the evil away. However, leaving the cabin requires the boys to hold onto ropes connected to the home’s foundation. The family faces three big problems: First, Mama is the only one who can see the evil.
Second, the boys, especially Nolan, are growing up and questioning whether their mother is telling the truth. Finally, they can’t leave the cabin much, so they rely on whatever they can gather, grow, or save from around the house, and this winter has been the hardest yet. The family faces a dilemma—leaving the cabin and staying both feel dangerous.
Never Let Go Has Great Performances, But Needs Improvement
The movie has excellent cinematography and production design, creating a beautiful yet oppressive world. The green, rich forest feels wild and threatening at times, while the cabin is full of old paintings and carvings, giving it a historical, timeless feel.
A small sunken chamber in the cabin, with a carved wooden door, plays a significant role as it’s where the boys must go to refill the home’s protective energy. The whole setting helps create a strong feeling that the family is alone in the world, fighting against an unknown evil.
Director Alexandre Aja, along with writers KC Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, builds a tense and scary world with plenty of unsettling moments that will leave horror fans satisfied. If you’re looking for tension, this movie delivers it.
Still from Never Let Go (Credit: Lionsgate Movies)
Halle Berry’s performance as the mother is outstanding, mixing constant stress with deep love for her sons. The two young actors, Jenkins and Daggs, also shine. Jenkins shows a wide range of emotions as Samuel, the son who trusts his mother the most.
Daggs, as Nolan, adds complexity to his character, showing both good-natured curiosity and a rebellious side that leads him to question the rules. The boys have great chemistry, portraying a believable brotherly bond. As the horror escalates, their performances remain grounded in real emotion, which makes the scares more effective.
Themes Are Interesting But Could Be Clearer
The film stumbles when dealing with deeper themes. It’s strange that only Mama can see the evil, and her explanation that it’s hiding from the boys to create division seems weak. We also learn mysterious facts about Mama’s past—things she’s done, regrets she has, and tattoos of spiders and snakes on her body.
These creatures are often linked with evil in Christian folklore, but they also represent wisdom in other traditions. The film’s symbolic and thematic elements are open to different interpretations. The ending, while thought-provoking, leaves some viewers with questions that might not have clear answers.
Despite these issues, Never Let Go remains a suspenseful and layered horror experience. The film offers clever scares and interesting plot twists that mostly work well, even though the ending may not satisfy everyone.
The world created around the family is unique and engaging, with the tension and sense of isolation drawing viewers in. Although some of the themes and ideas are hard to grasp, and the ending raises more questions than it answers, the journey is still exciting enough to keep audiences on edge.
A Unique Take on Cabin Horror
Never Let Go may follow the classic horror trope of an isolated cabin in dangerous woods, but it has a fresh feel thanks to its strong family dynamics and unique evil force. The family’s relationship is central to the story, adding depth to the horror elements and preventing the limited setting from feeling repetitive.
Still from Never Let Go (Credit: Lionsgate Movies)
The evil force is personal, grotesque, and ever-changing, keeping the tension high throughout the movie. Some of the scares rank among the best of the year, making this a solid horror film.
The ending could be clearer, with more context and tighter explanations for some of the film’s symbolic elements. However, it still provides enough tension, twists, and surprises to make for a solid viewing experience. Audiences will likely leave the theater thinking about the film’s deeper meanings and unresolved questions.
