When the main character of your show has their very own flying suit of metal armor, excitement is expected. But beyond high-flying thrills and action, Marvel Studios has presented a series full of emotion, heart, and intrigue with its latest Disney+ show, Ironheart. For those reasons and more, Riri Williams’s solo title is worth your time.
The Ambition, Complexity, and Genius of Riri Williams
One of the biggest appeals of Riri as a character is her complexity. To put it simply, Riri is a young Black woman from Chicago with a genius-level intellect. Though those details make her interesting, looking past that surface-level description is what helps set her apart. She isn’t just smart; she’s an ambitious engineer. She isn’t just a young Black woman from Chicago; she’s a daughter who tragically lost her stepfather and a girl who mourns and misses her best friend. She isn’t just a genius who created a battle suit of armor; she’s a flawed young individual with pain and trauma who’s still learning to navigate the good and bad of life.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever provides a first look at Riri in the MCU, but Ironheart helps the audience understand her potential and motives. The show explains her backstory and upbringing, and how they continue to shape her. You will laugh with her, cry with her, and probably even yell at her throughout her journey.
Chicago in the MCU
For an entertainment franchise as vast as the MCU, many of its stories are set in the same place: New York City. As great as NYC is, seeing Chicago as the setting for Ironheart is a refreshing and welcome change of pace. But Chicago is more than just the city where Ironheart takes place. It’s more than just Riri’s hometown. The show embraces the city and all that it offers authentically.
From hanging out at the lakefront to showing off the “L” (Chicago’s elevated train system), Chicago is unapologetically showcased. Throughout the six episodes, Riri and others show their pride for Chicago sports, specifically the Bulls, Bears, and White Sox. Chicago is a huge sports city, so it’s authentic to see those teams highlighted via room decor and wardrobe choices. Marvel was so committed to an accurate depiction of Chicago that it even featured ABC 7 Chicago news anchor Judy Hsu during a news telecast in Ironheart episode 4.
The Ironheart Supporting Cast
Dominique Thorne does a tremendous job of bringing Riri Williams to life in the MCU, but her talent is just part of a stellar supporting cast. Lyric Ross is wonderful as Riri’s best friend, Natalie. She steals the show in every scene she’s in and brings infectious energy.
Alden Ehrenreich’s Joe McGillicuddy has a great dynamic with Thorne’s Riri. Introduced as a timid individual who keeps to himself, he provides a valued contrast to the confidence and strength that Riri presents.
Anthony Ramos shows his range extends beyond musicals by taking a villainous turn as Parker Robbins/The Hood. Anji White as Riri’s mom, Ronnie, and Matthew Elam as Riri’s friend, Xavier, do well as supportive loved ones. Harper Anthony was also a delight, providing a fun dynamic as Landon, a boy from Riri’s neighborhood.
Another Dose of Marvel Magic
Seventeen years into the MCU, magic is far from a foreign concept now. But there’s still so much to explore in that mystical area, and Ironheart expands on that. Parker Robbins/The Hood is the primary user of magic in the show, and his journey with the art form is an intriguing plot point with what some Marvel fans would call a rewarding payoff. By working with Parker, Riri is exposed to magic and finds herself using it as a tool to complement her technology.
Regan Aliyah’s Zelma Stanton is a new addition to the MCU who brings more youth to the magic storyline in the show. Introduced later in the series, her inclusion opens the doors for more intriguing magic-related narratives. She also acts as a great bridge to magic for Riri as a fellow young Black woman.
MCU Connections in Ironheart
No spoilers here, but Ironheart includes some fun connections to the greater MCU. They feel natural and pay homage to the existing universe and previous stories. There are smaller, less noticeable things like posters for Rogers: The Musical hanging in windows, and there is one large tie, in particular, that warrants a spoiler warning. Ironheart doesn’t feel like a show with required viewing as homework to prepare for. But the efforts made to solidify it as an MCU project are appreciated.
Exploring Anxiety, Grief, and Trauma
Anxiety, grief, and trauma are all important parts of Riri’s story, and Marvel doesn’t shy away from showing their effects in Ironheart. Though watching Riri deal with those struggles can be tough, it’s important to address them. How she handles them helps drive the narrative. On the surface, Ironheart might be about Riri Williams, her homecomin,g and the creation of a new suit that is unapologetically hers. But the show is also a commentary on how these themes can influence you for the better and worse.
All six episodes of Ironheart are now streaming on Disney+.
