Read our mostly spoiler-free review to see what we loved about Marvel’s Wonder Man, from performances to potential Doomsday connections.
When Marvel’s latest eight-episode series Wonder Man drops on Disney+ this week, it will do so with a quiet, but steady distinction that marks its place as the studio’s latest sleeper hit. Read our mostly spoiler-free review to find out what we loved about Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Wonder Man.
Prestige Rating: 4/5
Genre: Superhero comedy
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ben Kingsley, Joe Pantoliano, Josh Gad, and more
Directors: Destin Daniel Cretton, James Ponsoldt, Tiffany Johnson, Stella Meghie
Release date: 28 January, 2026
Plot: Set in Earth-616, Wonder Man follows aspiring actor Simon Williams, whose secret afflictions deter his passionate ambition to pursue a career in Hollywood. Possessing hidden superpowers, including superhuman strength, speed, and a destructive ability to create explosions, Williams must juggle the life he desires in the performance arts and the life of a hero, all while navigating the foibles of human connection where friendship and loyalty are in short supply. Joining him in the eight-episode adventure is former Iron Man 3 villain and failed actor Trevor Slattery, portrayed by the spectacular Sir Ben Kingsley.
What we liked: Eschewing the pomp and circumstance of other Marvel productions, Wonder Man takes us back to the golden age of television in a quietly nostalgic way that blends modern showbusiness with Hollywood’s sparkling past. With markedly Wes Anderson-esque inspirations, the editing and filmography come together to set the tone and mood of scenes as they shift between humour and gravitas. As a failed actor-turned-unwitting-terrorist, Sir Ben Kingsley does a wonderful job treading the fine line between sidekick and villain-with-a-conscience, and his on-screen chemistry with co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II cannot be denied. Happily, we can confirm that Wonder Man has all the fixings of a sleeper hit — it adds to the lore of the MCU without overdoing it, leaving us intrigued for more.
This review of Wonder Man might contain mild spoilers. Read on with caution if you do not wish to be spoiled!
‘Wonder Man’ Poised to Become Marvel’s First Triumph of 2026, Potentially Setting Up for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Beneath the glitz and glamour of Hollywood lies the quiet devastation of unfulfilled dreams — a thousand self-recorded auditions that disappear into the void alongside the dying embers of would-be actors’ aspirations. The newest entry into the MCU, Wonder Man delves into Hollywood with a gentle earnestness that highlights life beyond the superhero costume.
Which begs the question. What if our favourite superheroes — Iron Man, Spiderman, Thor, Captain America, and more — had passions that extended beyond saving the world one cosmic villain at a time?
Enter Simon Williams — the latest addition to Earth-616’s ever-revolving door of Supers and Spies. While the MCU is known to deviate from the comic books, often swapping up storylines to make them more palatable for on-screen adaptations, Williams’ storyline gets a modern-way revamp that satirises Hollywood and upends the superhero genre in one fell swoop.
On-screen, Williams is depicted as an unwilling superhero with increased strength, speed, agility, stamina, and reflexes — but in true MCU fashion, he is likewise imbued with achingly human traits that highlight his imperfections.
Notably, Williams’ charm lies not in his ability to fight bad guys and win, but in how relatable he is as a struggling human being. He overthinks his roles with devastating results, often self-sabotaging his acting opportunities. His inability to make and maintain connections is palpable from episode one, and by the time he crosses paths with Sir Ben Kingley’s failed actor-turned-unwitting-villain, Trevor “The Mandarin” Slattery, you can’t help but root for them to become friends. Best friends. Sidekicks. Each other’s ride-or-die.
Like last year’s massive hit Thunderbolts*, Wonder Man’s true triumph lies in its ability to be grounded and relatable — ironic, when you consider that the very premise of the superhero genre lies in being… well, super. It’s undeniable that there is a heartwarmingly genuine quality to Williams and Slattery’s bromance, and the actors’ chemistry makes their scenes together an entertaining watch.
While Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is excellent as the titular hero, Kingsley’s performance is rife with nuance, an apt reminder that he is a seasoned actor who has seen more than his fair share of Hollywood and Broadway. A master of micro expressions capable of exposition without ever saying a word, Kingsley’s role as a mentor and friend extends both on-screen and off, and his transition from comic relief to a character with real depth and backstory is welcome, indeed.
With only eight episodes, each about 30 minutes long, Wonder Man is an easy and enjoyable watch well worth the time invested. And while it bears noting that this iteration of Wonder Man deviates quite a fair bit from its comic book counterpart — in which Tony Stark’s Stark Industries plays villain — it is in good hands, notably, that of Kevin Feige, who is the top-listed executive producer of the series.
Ultimately, the series is a solid addition to the MCU, and early reviews suggest it will become one of the studio’s top shows for the year. Whether it has been renewed for season 2 remains to be seen. For now, we are left with these questions: Do the events of Wonder Man tie into the superhero shenanigans we can expect in Doomsday? After all, the Mandarin is a relic from Iron Man 3 (And later Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) — both of which will feature, in one form or another, in the upcoming Avengers film. With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Dr. Doom, an event that will undeniably spotlight his former role as Tony Stark, Trevor Slattery’s return could very well be an easter egg.
Wonder Man releases exclusively on Disney+ on 28 January, 2026, 10AM MYT. Stream it here.
This article first appeared on Augustman Malaysia.
(Main and featured images: Marvel Television/ 2026 MARVEL)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.