Ironheart: A Promising Series That Could’ve Been a Gem

Ironheart had the potential to be one of Marvel’s standout Disney+ shows, but it ultimately struggles to stick the landing. If I were to compare it to another MCU series, Ms. Marvel comes to mind—both feature fun characters and a promising setup, yet fail to fully capitalize on their strengths.

Dominique Thorne shines as Riri Williams. She brings charm, intellect, and heart to the role, embodying Ironheart with ease. Her performance alone is a highlight and reason enough to hope we see more of her in future MCU projects. The show’s setting feels fresh, and the soundtrack helps create a unique vibe that sets it apart from other Marvel entries.

Unfortunately, the writing is where Ironheart falters. The Hood and his crew are poorly developed villains with weak dialogue and unconvincing performances. Their presence drags down the momentum and makes large portions of the series feel like a missed opportunity. There are some intriguing plotlines introduced—particularly involving Zeke Stane—but most of them end up underwhelming or unresolved.

Things do pick up in the final stretch. The last three episodes offer a much-needed boost, largely thanks to the introduction of Mephisto, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. His mysterious presence adds a much darker, more compelling edge to the show, and his dynamic with Riri could have been the emotional and thematic core of the story.

Had Ironheart been trimmed down to four tightly written episodes—or even restructured as a Disney+ special—it might have stood out as something truly special. Instead, it feels like another Marvel series with potential that was never fully realized