The Pain of Marvel’s Most Underutilized Story Twist

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The latter part of Moon Knight introduces intriguing elements of dissociative identity disorder (DID) and trauma, but its hurried conclusion leaves many emotional storylines unaddressed.
The potential for the series to serve as a grim examination of mental health challenges might have been better realized through a standalone film.
The mid-credits scene paves the way for Moon Knight’s future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), generating excitement among fans for a deeper journey into the character’s psyche and past.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is known for its mix of successes and failures. Moon Knight falls into this category as well, particularly because the character hadn’t been featured prominently before. The Disney+ series offered a fresh take when it launched, yet the full extent of its potential remains untapped, especially in light of its shocking late-season developments.

Oscar Isaac’s exceptional performance as Marc Spector and his various personalities, notably Steven Grant, became a central theme in Moon Knight. The show effectively navigates the contrasting lives of Marc, a ruthless mercenary, and Steven, a gentle gift shop clerk, while also incorporating elements of Egyptian mythology alongside a nuanced look at mental health issues. With clever plot twists to maintain viewer engagement, some pivotal moments felt underexplored as the series rushed towards its conclusion in six episodes, which detracted from its impact.

Powerful Late-Season Revelation in Moon Knight

Marc and Steven in a psychiatric hospital in Moon Knight episode 5

One of the show’s most gripping moments occurs at the climax of episode four, titled “The Tomb.” After Marc is shot by Arthur Harrow and finds himself in a psychiatric setting, he experiences a communication with Steven, with the two finally recognizing their distinct identities through a heartfelt embrace. In the fifth episode, “Asylum,” they begin to unlock repressed memories that highlight Marc’s trauma, the catalyst for his DID, revealing that he created Steven to cope with his abusive upbringing.

Moon Knight adeptly correlates Marc’s DID with the trauma stemming from the tragic drowning of his younger brother, Randall. This backdrop clarifies why Steven consistently leaves messages for their mother, representing the idealized bond Marc craves but struggles to confront in reality, highlighting the emotional chasm he faces—one so profound that he couldn’t even bear to attend her mourning ceremony.

The episode provides a compelling origin narrative aligned with the comics, depicting Marc’s transformation into Khonshu’s avatar after his former commander, Bushman, kills a group of hostages, including Marc’s wife Layla’s father. However, these emotionally laden moments are overshadowed in the seventh episode, “Gods and Monsters,” which opts for a more traditional action climax typical of Marvel projects.

Moon Knight Would Benefit From a Film Format

While the decision to revive Marc and Steven following their afterlife experiences isn’t necessarily the show’s fault, Moon Knight’s narrative would likely have flourished more as a feature film, given its adept exploration of the main character’s mental health complexities. For a Marvel production, it’s quite unusual—and quite dark—for a show to delve into how unresolved grief and guilt can splinter a person’s identity. The narrative arc clearly needed more breathing room for a more organic progression towards a satisfying resolution. Instead, the series concludes with Marc and Steven’s return from the Duat, leading to a dramatic, monster-like showdown featuring gods Khonshu and Ammit.

In a moment signifying major character development, Marc defies Khonshu’s command to slay Harrow, leading to the two personalities learning to coexist harmoniously within one body, akin to a later portrayal of Eddie Brock and Venom in other films. The mid-credits sequence escalates the narrative, introducing Jack Lockley in a stylish limousine. This third persona, hinted at previously, sheds light on Marc’s blackouts and the mysterious, violent actions targeting his adversaries.

Mid-Credits Sequence Suggests Future for Moon Knight

Jake Lockley pointing a gun in the post credits scene of Moon Knight

The climactic mid-credits reveal overshadows earlier hints in Moon Knight, hinting toward the character’s prospective involvement in the larger MCU narrative. Yet, a potential sequel could have delved deeper into Marc’s fragmented identity and his lingering emotional scars. The story revolving around Marc Spector and Steven Grant is rich in complexity, meriting its own full-length film. Isaac articulated this notion during an October 2022 conversation with Comicbook.com:

It really comes down to the narrative. Is the story compelling enough? Will I feel proud of it when it’s out? […] With Moon Knight, the focus was on crafting a structure that made every day feel exciting, inspiring me to bring something new, whether through a group setting or a potentially great idea for season two, or maybe even as a standalone film. […] It’s all about the story.

Reflecting on Moon Knight’s unique position as the first MCU character to center his own Disney+ series without being an established Avenger, it becomes apparent that the show demands more time to unpack its protagonist’s rich history. However, the rush to deliver an explosive finale undercut its potential to be a landmark self-contained experience. Ultimately, it seems to function more as a catalyst for the Lunar Legionnaire’s future in the MCU, an aspect that remains largely unexplored. With the future of Moon Knight Season 2 casting doubt, one cannot help but lament the missed opportunity to witness a Marvel anti-hero confront authentic mental health challenges.

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