Part 6/12:
This overreliance leads to a tonal inconsistency that undercuts storytelling. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, for example, was positioned to embrace a darker, scarier tone inspired by the horror background of director Sam Raimi. While it hinted at something different, Marvel’s traditional humor kept pulling the film back to its familiar, lighter comfort zone. The result was a schizophrenic tone that prevented the movie from fully exploring its potential, making its stakes feel shallow and the narrative less impactful.