‘Ironheart’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Released on Disney+ on June 24th with three episodes (and three more to follow weekly), ‘Ironheart’ re-introduces us to Marvel Comics character Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne, who made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut with ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’).
The cast for the new superhero/crime drama also stars Anthony Ramos (‘In the Heights’), Alden Ehrenreich (‘Hail, Caesar!’), Lyric Ross (‘This is Us’), Eric André (‘The Eric André Show) and Manny Montana (‘The Mule’).
Related Article: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1 Review
Initial Thoughts
Marvel’s TV output continues to be something of a mixed bag, though things have certainly taken an upturn with the likes of ‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘Daredevil: Born Again.’ Now here comes ‘Ironheart’ aiming to maintain that momentum, utilizing the Riri Williams character from the comics whose youthful genius rivals that of Tony Stark even if her bank balance and living situation certainly don’t.
The Williams character was a key component of Ryan Coogler’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, but couldn’t stop sometimes feeling like she was jammed in to add something else. And in her own show, she’s a definite highlight even if not everything about the limited series around her works as well.
Script and Direction
With Coogler as executive producer this time around, it’s Chinaka Hodge, a veteran of shows such as ‘Snowpiercer’ and ‘The Midnight Club’, who is running ‘Ironheart’, working alongside writers Francesca Gailes, Jacqueline Gailes, Malarie Howard, Cristian Martinez and Amir Sulaiman.
The tone of ‘Ironheart’ can sometimes vary wildly, with some scenes feeling like they come from a gritty, emotional drama about grief, loss PTSD or crime and others looking to bring some wackier, Freeform-level comedy. They don’t always fit together as well as they might.
Still, the team has a clear handle on the Riri character, her desires, frustrations and trauma (her stepfather and best friend were shot dead in front of her), and they launch her on an entertaining new adventure, even managing to find rational reasons why she wouldn’t simply pick up the phone and ask for help from Shuri (Letitia Wright) and the Wakandans when things get thorny.
Riri’s interaction with the AI she accidentally created from a scan of her own brain, which is embodied in the form of her late friend Natalie, is always entertaining, the two written believably as best friends. Likewise, the moments with her mother Ronnie are also effective.
Also on the plus side is the Joe McGillicuddy character, a fun addition to the story who becomes something more –– and has a connection to someone that Riri admires that you might not see coming.
The villains are less well drawn –– Parker Robbins, AKA “The Hood” and his magic outfit can’t help but look like he’s cosplaying as Little Red Riding Hood sometimes, and the character, despite some much-needed depth in some family connections, is often written as one-note, and that note is B-flat.
Directors Samantha Bailey and Angela Barnes bring some varied styles to the show, but it works together as a whole. There are some well-conceived and realised action set pieces, especially one set at a high-tech greenhouse complex.
Cast and Performances
Dominique Thorne has put in some great performances in the past, including in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and brings real soul and depth to Riri. Given the space to explore the character without needing to be part of a bigger blockbuster tapestry, she’s always good here –– whether she’s having a quiet moment with friends or being badass.
Alden Ehrenreich is a highlight, his Joe character one of the more entertaining in the show. While he takes a slightly predictable turn later on, Ehrenreich keeps him entertaining and he plays well off of Thorne in moments such as the pair belting out an Alanis Morissette track or bonding over biotech.
Anthony Ramos struggles slightly with the big bad role, burdened by the fact that, for all of his inventive elements, Parker Robbins is a slightly dull dud as a character. Ramos plays him cool and composed, mostly staying away from campy villain tropes, but it doesn’t really register.
Lyric Ross is an energetic delight as Natalie –– or at least the AI drawn from Riri’s memories –– bringing needed energy to the series, but also a healthy dash of emotion that helps supplements our lead’s storyline.
Around Ramos is a varied bunch of criminals who are fine for what they need to be, but the group does rather waste the comic talents of Eric André as tech guru Stuart, who so desperately wants to be known as “Rampage”.
Finally, Anji White makes an impact in a smaller role as Riri’s mother, Ronnie Williams, a woman with her own grief, but also a deep amount of care for –– and no-nonsense attitude to –– her daughter.
Final Thoughts
Despite its tonal issues and a frankly unsatisfying final scene that falls into the Marvel trap of nodding to the future without really resolving the present, ‘Ironheart’ makes better use of the Riri Williams character than ‘Wakanda Forever’ ever could.
Z2ezMhosoH2mlulEfHV0L5What’s the plot of ‘Ironheart?
Set after the events of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ Marvel Television’s ‘Ironheart’ pits technology against magic when Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) — a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world — returns to her hometown of Chicago.
Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins, AKA “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos).
Who stars in ‘Ironheart?
- Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams
- Anthony Ramos as Parker Robbins
- Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy
- Manny Montana as “H.R.” John
- Lyric Ross as Natalie Washington
- Anji White as Ronnie Williams
- Eric André as Stuart Clarke/“Rampage”
List of MCU TV Series:
- ‘WandaVision’ (2021)
- ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021)
- ‘Loki’ (2021)
- ‘What If…?’ (2021)
- ‘Hawkeye’ (2021)
- ‘Moon Knight’ (2022)
- ‘Ms. Marvel’ (2022)
- ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)
- ‘Secret Invasion’ (2023)
- ‘Echo’ (2024)
- ‘Agatha All Along’ (2024)
- ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ (2025)
- ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ (2025)
- ‘Ironheart’ (2025)
