Isn’t it refreshing? That special feeling is back, isn’t it? The anticipation for new Marvel movies is palpable once more! For a glorious decade, Marvel Cinematic Universe premieres were truly events. Legions of devoted fans, adorned in Marvel tees and elaborate cosplay, would descend upon their local cinemas. Then, Disney+ emerged, bringing with it a sense of oversaturation. Ambiguity clouded the “big picture,” with storylines feeling increasingly disconnected. It all became too much, too commonplace. Marvel movies and shows, dare we say, became almost banal. Even I found myself less eager, letting some shows slide unwatched, without a second thought. But absence, as they say (especially when coupled with the magnetic duo of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman), truly makes the heart grow fonder! Suddenly, it feels like that magical first time all over again. Deadpool & Wolverine was so captivating, I experienced opening night twice! Attending both the 7:10 and 10:25 showings, I was utterly blown away by the raw, vulnerable emotional intimacy woven into a narrative brimming with bloodshed and an impressive “fuck” count per minute!
Please be aware that SPOILERS for Deadpool & Wolverine are ahead. However, rest assured that any details regarding the ending will be clearly flagged. Furthermore, NO SPOILERS for surprise cameos or unexpected plot twists will be included.
Walking into the theatre, my expectations for this movie were, frankly, UNREASONABLY HIGH. What I anticipated was almost unfair. Adding to this, three nagging doubts lingered in the back of my mind:
- Had the MCU, in its exploration of the multiverse—a concept brimming with potential for fun and boundless creativity—somehow transformed it into a rigid, convoluted mess? Could Deadpool & Wolverine possibly untangle this?
- I found Loki rather tedious, losing interest after S2E3, and haven’t ventured into What If…? simply due to a lack of engagement. Would this gap in my MCU viewing hinder my understanding or enjoyment?
- Would the narrative of Deadpool & Wolverine possess the same sharp wit and skillful storytelling as Deadpool and Deadpool 2, or would it become overwhelmed by a deluge of cameos, Easter eggs, and nostalgic callbacks?
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Let’s delve into a quick plot recap. Utilizing Cable’s time-traveling device from Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) jumps timelines, landing squarely in the primary MCU universe with aspirations of joining the Avengers. Rejected and feeling utterly insignificant, he returns to his own reality, abandoning his suit to sell cars alongside his affable buddy, Peter (Rob Delany). Wade’s descent into depression leads to Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) ending their relationship. At a birthday gathering with his closest circle—Vanessa, Peter, Blind Al (Leslie Uggamus), Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), her girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna), Colossus (Stefan Kapičić), Dopinder (Karan Soni), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), and Buck (Randal Reeder)—the TVA unexpectedly arrives at his doorstep. Whisked away to TVA headquarters, Wade encounters Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen), who delivers grim news: Wade’s universe is destined for annihilation. It’s fading because it has lost its Anchor Being—Logan / Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who sacrificed himself to protect Laura Kinney / X23 (Dafne Keen), a poignant event depicted in the deeply moving film Logan.
Paradox lays out the stark choice: “Look, Mr. Wilson, you’re presented with two options. You can either rejoin your loved ones and collectively cease to exist in, let’s say, approximately seventy-two hours, or you can integrate into the Sacred Timeline and finally put an end to your days of insignificance and mediocrity. Wade. Wade…you can finally, finally matter.”
Wade, eyes welling with tears, responds, “That’s all I ever truly wanted.”
Paradox, with understanding, replies, “I know. I know.”
Wade, after a long pause, declares, “And I’m nothing if not morally flexible. [long pause] I’ll do it.”
Paradox, pleased, says, “Wise choice. The Sacred Timeline is delighted to welcome you.”
Wade then clarifies, “I’m talking about finding the Wolverine and breaking your freaking nose.”
Deadpool & Wolverine***
And so, Wade embarks on a timeline-hopping quest to locate a Wolverine to bring back to his own universe and avert its destruction! Ultimately, both Deadpool and the Wolverine he locates are pruned by the TVA, landing them in the Void at the End of Time, a realm ruled by Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), Charles Xavier’s equally powerful and significantly more sinister twin sister. From this desolate place, Wade and Logan must devise a plan to return and save Wade’s universe before Paradox and his Time Ripper erase it entirely.
So, let’s dive into my initial, sky-high expectations and examine how Deadpool & Wolverine addressed my lingering doubts, shall we?
1) Did Deadpool & Wolverine Successfully Make the MCU’s Multiverse Fun Again?
In my Doctor Who class, when I mentioned Russell T Davies’ concept of creating “a Doctorverse,” the reaction from every single student was a collective groan of, “UGH. NOT ANOTHER MULTIVERSE.” Indeed, Marvel’s track record with the multiverse hasn’t been stellar. I’d argue that the introduction of the TVA in Loki burdened it with too many restrictive rules. Multiverses in fiction are meant to be gateways to imagination, not sources of headaches! They should unlock limitless creative avenues!
One of Deadpool & Wolverine’s brilliant moves is its near-complete disregard for the existing multiversal complexities. At the TVA, Wade simply grabs a device that allows him to create portals and traverse the multiverse. And that’s all it takes! A fictional multiverse needs no more structure than that! Here’s a portal—magic, science, or a blend of both. Here’s a new universe. Let the fun begin! Forget the pruning, the Sacred Timeline maintenance, the glitching—all that unnecessary complexity. As a child, I envisioned portals as gateways to pirates or fantastical realms. That’s the essence!
Deadpool & Wolverine undoubtedly delivers on that front! / Image courtesy of Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine***
Deadpool even breaks the fourth wall to voice our collective multiverse fatigue. It was incredibly cathartic to hear! Addressing a group of variants, he quips, “Can we just be done? With the whole multiverse thing? It’s not great. It’s just been miss after miss after miss. The Wizard of Oz did the multiverse first and they did it best! The gays knew it! But we didn’t listen. Let’s just take the ‘L’ and move on.” AMEN to that!
While I recognize this is a narrative technique—acknowledging a trope to deflect criticism—Deadpool & Wolverine earns a pass. Firstly, because Wade is absolutely right. And secondly, because they wielded the multiverse in a way that was purely FUN, devoid of head-scratching logic puzzles.
2) Was Prior Knowledge of Loki S2, What If…?, or the Wider MCU Essential?
Absolutely not! One of the remarkable strengths of Deadpool & Wolverine is its self-contained nature. (Though, admittedly, familiarity with Deadpool and Deadpool 2 is crucial for character investment). Naturally, a deeper understanding of the MCU and Fox’s X-Men universe will enrich the experience with layers of references. However, it’s not a prerequisite to appreciate the film’s humor, exhilarating action sequences, or—most importantly—its emotional core.
A friend of mine, a Deadpool enthusiast who hasn’t seen any X-Men films, is planning to watch Deadpool & Wolverine. Once she has, I intend to update this piece with her perspective on whether her lack of X-Men knowledge impacted her viewing experience!
3) Did Cameos, Easter Eggs, and Callbacks Overshadow Deadpool & Wolverine’s Plot?
Surprisingly, no. In fact, I was astounded by how deftly the film manages its cameos. I stated earlier that I wouldn’t delve into cameos here, as the element of surprise is a significant part of Deadpool & Wolverine’s charm. I plan to dedicate a separate piece to this aspect later. But, personally, I’ve never witnessed a film handle cameos and callbacks with such finesse because it [REDACTED FOR SPOILERS AND RESERVED FOR THAT FUTURE PIECE]. Beyond the cameos, the film’s greatest triumph is how the story’s intimate heart remains central, never overshadowed by the rapid-fire jokes or high-octane action set pieces.
Deadpool & Wolverine***
For me, Deadpool’s enduring appeal lies in the fascinating juxtaposition of his core traits. On one hand, he’s a joke machine, firing off pop culture references and sexually suggestive quips as rapidly as bullets and sword strikes. But this humor acts as a shield, masking his deep-seated insecurities and feelings of unworthiness. Because, on the other hand, Deadpool’s deepest desire is to belong. He yearns to be accepted among the superheroes he idolizes, yet they want little to do with him (except perhaps when a major battle looms and they grudgingly acknowledge his skills, even while finding him perpetually annoying). Wade Wilson is the quintessential outsider, and anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in can see a reflection of themselves in Deadpool.
I believe Deadpool & Wolverine explores this aspect with greater depth than any previous Deadpool film!
Early in the movie, during Wade’s hilariously awkward interview at Stark Towers for an Avengers position, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) asks him about his motivations. Wade confesses, “I…I care. I turn everything into a joke, but I…care. And I want to channel that feeling into something meaningful. I…I want to matter. I need to show my girl that I matter.” Happy presses further, “Why do you want to be an Avenger?” Wade explains, “Look around you. They’re the best of the best. And what they do matters. I need to be an Avenger. Sir, my girl is losing patience with my schtick, and if I don’t, you know, turn things around and do something significant with my abilities, uh, I don’t think things are going to work out for me, and I wouldn’t blame her.”
Happy, cutting to the core, asks, “Let’s cut to the chase.”
Wade, eager, responds, “Please.”
Happy states, “You just said, moments ago, that you wanted to be an Avenger because you need it.”
Wade affirms, “Yes sir, I do.”
Happy clarifies, “But the Avengers don’t do this job because they need it. They do it because people need them. Do you grasp the distinction?”
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Wade, earnestly, replies, “Yes sir. Please, Mr. Hogan, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life as an annoying one-trick pony.”
Happy concludes the interview with, “The problem might be that you’re aiming a little too high. Aim for the middle, and you’ll never miss. I, I think you have a good heart. I believe what you’re saying. But not everyone is cut out to be a world-saver. I’m not. I’m content. Right? I’ve found my place. Find your place. Alright, get back out there. We’ll keep an eye on you. Good luck out there.”
Wade’s deep-seated belief is that he is insignificant, and becoming an Avenger would validate his worth. He needs it because it would provide the validation he desperately craves. Without it, his sense of inadequacy erodes his relationship with Vanessa, ultimately leading him to abandon his costume and, ironically, sell Kias.
Once Deadpool and Wolverine find themselves in the Void and encounter Cassandra Nova (and OH MY GOODNESS, Emma Corrin’s portrayal of Cassandra Nova is chillingly BRILLIANT! Their performance was a standout! It’s been ages since a Marvel villain felt so genuinely unsettling!), we witness the breakup scene between Wade and Vanessa, conjured by Cassandra in Wade’s mind:
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Vanessa’s voice echoes, “Show me you care about something bigger than yourself. Ever since they rejected you, you’ve been down. Baby, you never bounced back. I know you’re struggling. Let me face it with you. Your crazy is a perfect match for my crazy.”
Wade, vulnerable, pleads, “Just say it, okay? Say, ‘I don’t want you. I don’t want to be with you.’ Go ahead. Say it, say it. You don’t want to be with me. Tell me that, and I’ll walk away. Say, ‘I don’t want you.’”
Vanessa/Cassandra’s voice turns cold, “You’ll never freaking matter.”
Wade, stunned, asks, “What?”
Vanessa/Cassandra repeats, with chilling emphasis, “You’ll never freaking matter. You’ll. Never. Freaking. Matter.”
Wade, in denial, protests, “She never said that.”
Cassandra retorts, with a sing-song taunt, “No, [singing] but I bet she thought it.”
Wade, overwhelmed, exclaims, “Aaaargh! You are so mean! My brain can taste your fingers, and they taste like hate! And where in goddamn is the intimacy coordinator?!?”
Cassandra, with chilling insight, states, “You’re so lost, Mr. Wilson. Long before you arrived here.”
Deadpool & Wolverine***
So, Deadpool & Wolverine undeniably delivers on the humor, the pop culture references, and the fourth-wall breaks. And the action is absolutely insane! When you feature characters with healing factors like Deadpool and Wolverine, the intensity of combat can reach unprecedented levels. Yet, beneath it all lies the poignant story of a man desperately seeking validation and a sense of purpose. Vanessa yearned to navigate his struggles alongside Wade, but he was blinded by his own insecurity, feeling unworthy of her love and support. Consequently, he lost the relationship he cherished.
I…I want to matter.
You’ll. Never. Freaking. Matter.
This internal conflict is the constant undercurrent within Deadpool, and this film brings it to the forefront with remarkable impact. Simultaneously, it masterfully grounds the narrative—a story about saving a universe—in a way that allows us, the viewers, to connect with it deeply and genuinely care about the stakes.
Can I share a secret? The ending of Avengers: Infinity War left me emotionally unmoved. I knew, with near certainty, that all the “dusted” heroes would return (given the actors’ well-publicized film contracts), and the concept of “half of all life” being erased felt too abstract and vast to truly grasp.
Deadpool & Wolverine***
This, I believe, is a recurring challenge in superhero movies. Sequels often strive to escalate the stakes—saving a city, a country, the world, the universe.
Who can truly comprehend the magnitude of that?!?
In comic books, universe-altering, grand-scale storylines emerge periodically, but they are invariably balanced by a multitude of smaller, more localized threats. This ebb and flow maintains the narrative rhythm and allows us to connect with and invest in the smaller, more personal stories on a deeper level.
In Deadpool & Wolverine, Wade’s entire universe is imperiled. Theoretically, he’s fighting to save his entire world, his entire universe, his entire timeline. But for Wade, it boils down to nine individuals—Vanessa, Peter, Blind Al, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Yukio, Colossus, Dopinder, Buck, and Shatterstar. When Logan erupts in anger, realizing Wade misled him about the TVA’s capacity to restore his own timeline, Wade’s explanation is profoundly moving:
Logan, enraged, accuses, “You lied to me. You don’t have a freaking clue if they can help me fix things, do you?!”
Wade, faltering, admits, “No, I mean…”
[Logan stabs Wade in the leg with his adamantium claws]
Wade, in pain, cries out, “Oh! Fuck! Fuck! I didn’t lie!”
Logan, unconvinced, retorts, “You lie!”
Wade, desperate, pleads, “No! I made an educated wish! Because I need you. [He holds up a polaroid picture of his friends] This! This is why. Right here! Because if we don’t do something, they die. I don’t know anything about saving worlds. And why would I even care, because my entire world is right here in this picture. It’s only nine people, and I have no idea how to save them alone. I know how to mess people up for money, but you—you—know how to save ‘em! At least, the other Wolverine did.”
Deadpool & Wolverine***
[Logan claws him again]
Wade, wincing, quips, “Yow! I guess I’m stuck with the worst one!”
Logan, sarcastically, asks, “Did you say you made an educated freaking wish?”
Wade, ever the motormouth, replies, “They call me ‘the Merc with a Mouth.’ They don’t call me ‘Truthful Timmy the Blowjob Queen of Saskatoon’!”
[Logan claws him multiple times]
Logan, losing patience, growls, “One more word. Please. Give me one.”
Wade, defiant, mutters, “…gubernatorial.”
[Logan unleashes a flurry of claw strikes]
Logan, finally exploding, yells, “You know what? You’re a freaking joke. No wonder the Avengers didn’t take you. Or the X-Men. And they’ll take freaking anyone. I mean, you are a ridiculous, immature, halfwit moron. I have never met a sadder, more attention-starved, jabbering little prick in my entire life, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve been alive for more than 200 freaking years. And I’ll tell you, that bald chick was right about one thing—you will never save the world. YOU couldn’t even save a relationship with a GODDAMN STRIPPER. And motherfucker, I wish I could say you’d die alone, but it’s one of God’s best jokes that you can’t die except it’s on ALL OF US!”
Wade, momentarily silenced, says nothing.
Logan, taunting, asks, “What? You got nothing to say, Mouth?”
Wade, after a long pause, states, “…I’m gonna fight you now.”
Logan, laughing derisively, challenges, “Oh, are you?”
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Naturally, a fight ensues. A significant fight. It’s both hilarious and spectacular, but Wade’s underlying motivation for seeking out Logan and fighting to save his universe is what truly resonates.
This is why. Right here! Because if we don’t do something, they die. I don’t know anything about saving worlds. And why would I even care, because my entire world is right here in this picture. It’s only nine people, and I have no idea how to save them alone.
This is why Deadpool & Wolverine works so effectively! This is relatable. This is something I, and likely many viewers, can understand. Thus, it matters. It elevates the stakes of this story to a level of emotional resonance far surpassing the Avengers’ battle against Thanos to save half of all life. My entire world is right here in this picture. This is an emotion we can all empathize with.
Please note, the following two paragraphs contain SPOILERS for the very end of the movie, specifically the final scene. If you wish to avoid these, please skip to below the image of Deadpool peeking out from behind the log to safely continue reading.
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Because these stakes are so deeply personal and relatable, Deadpool and Wolverine’s ultimate victory carries far more emotional weight than the “unsnap” from Avengers: Endgame. I could never truly visualize half of all creation vanishing, so its restoration didn’t evoke a profound emotional response. However, knowing Wade and Logan saved everyone who truly mattered to Wade—those nine individuals—resonates deeply because I can easily place my own loved ones in that same cherished circle.
In a beautifully poignant closing narration, we see Wade seated at his kitchen table, surrounded by everyone from his polaroid picture, now joined by Logan and Laura. He reflects, “Everyone wants to matter. Turns out, you don’t need to be Marvel Jesus to do it. You just need to open your eyes and look around. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find a few friends—old friends, and some new ones, too. Turns out, I am the world-saving type. Just look around this table if you want proof. The best part? Sometimes, the people we save, they save us right back.” Ahhhhh, I absolutely love this! Amen! Amen, amen, AMEN.
Deadpool & Wolverine***
Looking at Wade’s polaroid, I was instantly transported to thirty years of family gatherings around Grandma’s kitchen table for Friday night dinners, which transitioned to my parents’ home after Grandma’s passing. I saw Mom and Dad. I saw Aunt Judy. I saw my brother David and his wife Irene. I saw Kalie. I saw my cousin Melanie and her daughters, Jaelyn and Jordan. I saw Lauren. I saw Ashley. I saw Jeff. I saw Theresa. I saw Miranda. And my heart swelled with love for all those who constitute my world. Because of these deeply personal stakes, I don’t believe “world-saving” has ever felt as significant or meaningful in any superhero film before. And THAT is Deadpool & Wolverine’s true magic. That’s why, for me, Deadpool & Wolverine not only met my UNREASONABLY HIGH expectations but actually surpassed them.
We witness those two core facets of Wade’s personality in constant tension throughout the film—a struggle that each and every one of us can empathize with, as I’d wager we’ve all grappled with feelings of not belonging or insignificance at some point in our lives. And we watch Wade and Logan fight to save his world—another aspect that resonates deeply as we picture our own intimate circle of loved ones within Wade’s polaroid.
Yes, there are countless jokes. Yes, it’s meta and self-aware. Yes, we FINALLY get to witness Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine together in a movie—LET’S GO FUCKING CRAZY!!!!!!!!! But it’s the profound relatability at the core of this wild and wacky multiversal adventure, an invitation to contemplate our own “polaroid” as we watch Deadpool and Wolverine fight for Wade’s world, that makes it all so exceptionally special. I can’t conceive of anything less banal than that.
Deadpool & Wolverine***
