Not too long ago, we’ve learned that Moon Knight may have become Disney+’s most anticipated entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only did it get the most likes of any series, it even managed to become its second-most-watched entry within 24 hours. It’s crazy to think how popular it is if you consider that Moon Knight has mostly been known either from a meme calling Dracula a nerd or many Batman comparisons. There’s a lot more to the character, of course, but there must be something about this series that appeals to viewers with its trailer.
I think its biggest selling point lies in the tonal change from the rest of the MCU. The Disney+ shows have been unique and offer different takes on what it means to be a hero, villain, and more. Yet, there’s something much darker at play with Moon Knight compared to the rest. It may be similar to why Loki and WandaVision were such darlings during their release, as they offered something truly unique. We’ve seen enough superheroes and now Marvel Studios has started to break the mold. And, on top of it all, they provided one of their best trailers that found the perfect mixture of intrigue, action, and character.
Their next Disney+ series feels like a psychological horror film that was combined into Christopher Nolan‘s Memento. The initial trailer offers so much intrigue that forces anyone to question what is real. Comic fans might fully grasp the many personalities of Marc Spector and the existence of Khonshu, but an everyday viewer will have no clue. All they saw, was this strange monster stalking him, and the way the first trailer implies it may just be in his head. It’s an eye-catcher in many ways, as you might question how real is Moon Knight as a hero in this universe.
Oscar Isaac‘s performance of a mentally disturbed man, fighting to figure out what is real or not would probably drag quite a few people into theaters if this wasn’t a Disney+ series. Throw in the possibility of him becoming a hero more in line with Punisher or Daredevil‘s Netflix run, you might reach an audience that has been clamoring for exactly that. The poster with a bloody crescent moon-shaped weapon certainly seems to promise that Marvel Studios isn’t holding back this time around.
Disney+ is a family-oriented streaming program at the end of the day, and there were concerns that it could hold back Marvel Studios’ expansion. If they can make this concept work within the perceived limitations of a Disney-owned streaming service, the future of Marvel’s darker characters, which includes Daredevil, Punisher, Ghost Rider, and more, seems – for a lack of a better term – quite bright. Moon Knight may be the point where Disney+ starts to mature and opens the floodgates to welcome in more stories like it.
