The much anticipated Moon Knight series is out this week, and with an advance look, it’s safe to say we’re in good hands. Executive produce Kevin Feige wouldn’t let us down, right gang? The Disney+ show features one of the biggest vigilante superheroes in comics who has yet to get a TV or movie adaptation. Whether or not it’s because Moon Knight isn’t an obvious seller, or maybe because it’s not an easy character to pull off, we’re finally getting to see him on our screen tomorrow March 30th.
Thanks to Oscar Isaac, we finally get to see how Marvel Studios can adapt a hero that’s different than most. Can this show pull off the difficulty of showing a new corner of the Marvel universe, respectfully develop a character with a form of schizophrenia, and introduce the god Khonshu all in six episodes? After watching the first four episodes, the answer is yes.
The new series opens not with Oscar Isaac in the superhero suit — don’t worry you won’t have to wait super long to see it in action — but with Ethan Hawke’s Arthur Harrow. The series seems to be hellbent on using mirrors and doubles in its symbology and that goes for the juxtaposition of Harrow and our first shot of Isaac. Opening on Harrow’s feet we see he actively tries to bring pain to himself by stepping on glass. Cut to Isaac’s Steven Grant, whose own foot is chained so he doesn’t escape his bed at night.
Steven Grant on the left, Marc Spector on the right.
Courtesy Disney+
If you’re expecting Grant to be a well-adjusted super fighter think again. Isaac plays this Brit as a mild-mannered loser who has no friends, is bullied by his boss, and is generally quite innocent. It’s a good choice, all things considered, to make him milk toast and British as it creates a much starker difference when American Marc Spector eventually shows up.
The introduction of this dueling personality problem starts through mirrors but ends up playing a major part in a big action sequence in the first episode. Using smash cuts and flash-forwards, the series has a quickened pace that cuts to the chase and adds mystery to each situation. While Grant tries to figure out where he is and what happens since his personality was switched off, the audience is also reeling from the time jump. There’s already a lot of mystery, but to drop Grant, or later Spector, into an unfamiliar location is a fun trick that never gets old.
The jumping between personalities doesn’t allow deep character work, though, so don’t expect a thorough examination of the protagonist. Luckily that’s not what this show really is about and there’s plenty there for a fast-paced adventure like this one. There are even a few hints of horror which suit the character’s origins in the comics.
One interesting character detail is how the show establishes the fact that Harrow is in control of himself and others while Grant, aka Marc Spector, aka Moon Knight, is a chaotic mess. We see it early on with Grant having little control over his own life. He can’t even imagine having a girlfriend. Soon though, we see he’s not even in control of his own body at times. The show slowly reveals, however, even Grant can be useful in Spector and Khonshu’s adventure.
Acting is quite good throughout, particularly Isaac’s ability to switch from mild-mannered Grant to confident and determined. Ethan Hawke gets plenty of speeches fit for a villain and he never goes too far over the top. He can feel almost too subdued at times, but he’s doing good work with what he’s got. Khonshu is voiced by F. Murray Abraham who adds a booming voice that is godly and yet he infuses the character with a humanity that makes him relatable and even childish at times. Rounding out the cast is May Calamawy as Layla who brings confidence that jives well with the chaos of Moon Knight while also reminding us human beings can be heroes too.
F. Murray Abraham does a great job voicing Khonshu.
Courtesy Disney+
MCU fans are going to delight in how this show introduces new characters and a whole new world to the Marvel universe. There’s heavy worldbuilding down in a few different scenes which could shake things up. As a lifelong Marvel Comics fan, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild pondering how Moon Knight might one day interact with Blade, Black Knight, or even mainstays like Thor. Certainly, his powers are at a level where he could do some damage in a movie.
The show handles Moon Knight’s multiple personalities very well visually. You glimpse other personalities in mirrors, for instance, or in reflections. They aren’t actually there, but they are in Moon Knight’s head. When an identity loses control, we the audience miss out until that identity we’re focused on comes back and we see the damage done to keep Grant alive. It’s a good trick and it feels supernatural.
The fight scenes are good and well-choreographed too. Each one is a little different or more clever than the last. The creative team does well to mix things up be it Marc Spector fighting without powers, to Moon Knight fighting with his crescent moon-shaped blades, to fighting a demon no one else can see.
There are multiple elements that keep every episode feeling packed with content thanks to personality infighting, the mystery around Khonshu’s world, Moon Knight’s abilities, and the adventure themes. This show is going to be a hit because it does so much so well, yet has familiar themes and a lot of heart. Moon Knight is a fast-paced, edgy action-adventure that breathes new life into the superhero genre. Blending the grit and fight of Bourne Identity with fantasy themes the MCU is known for, it might just be your new favorite TV show.
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