Agatha All Along (Disney+) review: Marvel’s witchy side returns

Note: This feature was first published on 24 September 2024.

Marvel’s track record with its TV offerings has been somewhat hit-or-miss recently, but Agatha All Along takes a step back into what made WandaVision stand out. Instead of following the familiar Marvel formula, the series branches out by diving headfirst into the world of witchcraft, and with Kathryn Hahn back at the helm as Agatha Harkness, it’s clear the show intends to have some fun with its mystical elements.

Set a few years after WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Agatha’s story picks up in a seemingly quiet post-trauma Westview, New Jersey. The townspeople, still grappling with the events that unfolded under Wanda Maximoff’s control, have settled into an uneasy peace. Sharon Davis and the other locals may have moved on, but they haven’t forgotten, which explains why Wanda’s name is still taboo around town. Agatha, meanwhile, is left to deal with her own punishment – being stuck in a reality-bending, magical prison crafted by Wanda.

At first glance, Agatha All Along seems to mimic the slow-burn crime dramas we’ve come to expect, but it quickly shifts gears, pulling Agatha back into her chaotic, magical world. A former flame, Rio Vidal (played by the excellent Aubrey Plaza), and a mysterious teenager, simply known as Teen, help jolt her out of her stupor. Teen, with his brooding energy, adds a nice contrast to Agatha’s flamboyance, though his dialogue can feel a bit forced at times, as though his role is simply to make sure the audience stays caught up.

Where WandaVision tiptoed around witchcraft, Agatha All Along dives straight into it. The magic here is grounded, more raw, and feels far removed from the flashy sorcery of Doctor Strange. Agatha’s past, which was only briefly touched on in WandaVision, is explored in more depth, painting her as a far more complex character. She’s still the anti-hero, but now we get a better understanding of how she became so feared in the witch community.

The series also introduces a range of new witches who cross paths with Agatha. There’s Jennifer Kale, a wellness guru with her own magical talents; Lilia Calderu, a fortune teller with secrets of her own; and Alice Wu-Gulliver, a security guard who brings a bit of streetwise attitude into the mix. Each character has their reasons for being wary of Agatha, especially since she’s known to have betrayed her own coven in the past. Yet, they all reluctantly join her on a journey down the Witches’ Road, an otherworldly space where they must face magical trials.

The show’s visual effects strike a nice balance between practical and digital, making the magical world feel more tangible than in Marvel’s previous CGI-heavy productions. The Witches’ Road itself is a beautifully realised space, though the trials can sometimes come off as a little cliche – there’s a generational curse to be broken, for example, which doesn’t quite feel as fresh as it could have. But the real draw here is the interplay between characters and how Agatha navigates her relationships with those around her.

One thing that might trip up some viewers is the show’s tendency to over-explain the rules of its magical world. We’re reminded, perhaps too often, that there’s always a group of “witchy enough” people within a certain radius to form a coven. At times, it feels as though the writers aren’t confident the audience will understand what’s going on, so they opt to spell things out. It’s a minor gripe, but one that interrupts the show’s flow.

Still, when Agatha All Along leans into its darker, stranger side, it shines. The tone shifts away from Marvel’s usual bombast and embraces a more eerie, atmospheric vibe that recalls horror classics. There’s even a nod to American Horror Story: Coven in its presentation, which helps set it apart from the usual superhero fare.

For fans of WandaVision, Agatha All Along offers more of the same off-kilter storytelling, albeit with a new focus on witchcraft. But the series does more than just revisit old ground – it builds on what came before, giving Agatha the spotlight she deserves and exploring her complex relationship with power and control. While the show is still tied to the broader MCU, it doesn’t feel like it’s setting up the next big event. Instead, it’s more interested in fleshing out its characters and exploring its own peculiar corner of the Marvel universe.

If you’ve been hoping for Marvel to lean back into its weirder, more experimental side, Agatha All Along will likely scratch that itch. It’s not perfect, but it’s a refreshing change of pace that takes its time to tell a story about witches, power, and what it means to be part of a coven.

Agatha All Along is now available for streaming on Disney+. The streaming service is available from $15.98/mth. Click here to subscribe.

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