Marvelfinally clarified the official villain ofAgatha All Along, breaking the precedent set inthe MCU’s timeline. The triumphant spin-off fromWandaVisiondives deeper into the mysterious and mischievous Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn. While the MCU has a reputation for leaning on familiar, even formulaic, villain tropes, this series takes a bold step by introducing a layered, unconventional antagonist. This enriches the story ofAgatha All Alongand challenges the MCU’s longstanding approach to villains. By bringing complexity and emotional depth to its antagonist, the show signals a new direction for Marvel storytelling.
Agatha All Alongfollows on fromWandaVision, where Agatha Harkness emerged as a breakout character. The series depicts her attempts to regain her powers, joined by a makeshift coven of thrilling Marvel witches. The series unravels her motivations, conflicts, and connections to the broader MCU. The series prompted intense speculation over who might oppose her in this darker magical tale, with many pointing to Nicholas Scratch or the mysterious Teen. However, the actual villain was a bold creative choice that set the show apart from previous Marvel projects.
Agatha All Along Showrunner Confirms The Series' Villain
Death Is The Villain In Agatha All Along
InMarvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of Agatha All Along, showrunner Jac Schaeffer confirmed that Aubrey Plaza’s Death is indeed the series’ main antagonist. Talking about this choice, Schaeffer noted thatMarvel villains are usually oppositional in naturebut strive to proffer something more poignant. Schaeffer notes,“You know in any MCU property, you have to have a villain, or some kind of counterpoint, and so we talked at length about who would be a foe for Agatha. So this notion of Death herself being the adversary for Agatha felt so right.”
10 Scariest Scenes From Agatha All Along
Agatha All Along was a perfect foray into the horror genre, pushing the MCU’s typical tone to its limits in a series of horrifying scenes.
As Schaeffer alluded to, Death is not just a supernatural force inAgatha All Alongbut also intricately tied to Agatha’s past. Their relationship extends beyond their immediate conflict, as the two share a complicated romantic history. This emotional connection adds layers to their rivalry, creating stakes that go beyond life and death. Death’s role as an antagonist is not to wreak havoc or destroy the world, but tochallenge Agatha on a personal and philosophical level, making her an inescapable inevitability - much as Thanos erroneously considered himself.
Why Death Isn’t a Typical MCU Villain
Lady Death Is A Complicated Marvel Character
Death stands out as an antagonist because she defies the standard “evil villain” archetype in Marvel. Unlike most MCU foes, who often have destructive or self-serving motives, Death is simply doing her job:maintaining the natural balance of life and mortality. Her conflict with Agatha arises not from malice but from duty, making her a neutral, if formidable, force. This complements Agatha’s own villainous status, she’s firmly within the evil antagonist category, yet needs someone to counter her. A neutral character allows both to be villainous in their respective ways.
Adding a unique twist toAgatha All Along, Death is also Agatha’s ex-partner. This romantic history introduces an emotional complexity rarely seen in MCU villains. The personal stakes between them - grudges, lingering affection, and unresolved issues - infuse their dynamic with a refreshing humanity. The MCU hasnever before framed a villain as an ex-lover, and this innovative choice highlights the potential for richer, more multifaceted storytelling within the franchise.
Agatha All Along Proves the MCU Needs More Complex Villains
Death Is The First MCU Villain To Break Tradition
The MCU has long faced criticism for its formulaic villains, particularly in its early phases. Many of these villains were simply antagonistic counterparts to the hero. Iron Man faced Iron Monger, Ant-Man battled Yellowjacket, while Captain America fought various recipients of the Super Soldier Serum. Scarlet Witch herself was countered by Agatha Harkness inWandaVision.It is a very satisfying notion that theMCU may have finally broken with this tradition.
9 Amazing Agatha All Along Details We Only Noticed After Rewatching
Agatha All Along was brimming with thrilling details and references, many of which we only noticed after revisiting the Witches’ Road once more.
Furthermore, the MCU has also been host to some underdeveloped villains like Malekithin Thor: The Dark Worldand Ronan inGuardians of the Galaxy, which often leaned on straightforward “evil-for-evil’s-sake” antagonists. However, in recent years, Marvel has made strides toward crafting more layered foes, such as Killmonger, Thanos, and Wenwu. Death isthe perfect next step in this process.
By introducing Death as a morally neutral yet deeply personal antagonist,Agatha All Alongdemonstrates thatvillains don’t need to fit traditional molds to create compelling conflict. Death’s relationship with Agatha adds depth and emotional stakes, proving that the MCU can tell more nuanced stories. This approach not only enriches the individual project but also broadens the possibilities for future Marvel narratives, showing that a villain’s complexity can be just as captivating as their power.
Agatha All Along
Cast
Agatha Harkness, after the events of “WandaVision,” seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.
