New year, new superhero for the MCU. Wonder Man introduces Simon Williams to Marvel’s ever-expanding world in an eight-episode Disney+ series. The story’s character-driven focus helps make it feel like less of a typical Marvel project — in a good way.
Exploring Simon’s life as an actor, the show features meta moments that provide good insight. There’s a nice balance of comedy and drama so that the lighthearted, ridiculous parts don’t feel excessive. Its setting in the Los Angeles area is also refreshing for an MCU that’s so New York City-heavy.
The lack of action sequences and fights might be deterring for some, but it makes sense. Because Wonder Man isn’t really about a superhero. Simon isn’t even a superhero in the show. He’s an actor who just happens to have superpowers (not that anyone can know) and plays a superhero in a movie.
Wonder Man is about identity and vulnerability. It uses acting and filmmaking to examine how art is inherently selfless and inevitably requires sacrifice.
This Wonder Man review contains spoilers.
The Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery Bromance is Unexpected but Great
Without a doubt, the highlight of Wonder Man is the partnership between Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery. Their friendship is the driving force of the show. Without each other, neither actor would grow in the ways they do.
Simon is a struggling actor trying to make it in the industry. He’s talented but lets himself get in the way of his ability. His experience with the guest-starring role on American Horror Story was a great way to introduce Simon as an actor. It highlighted his talent and commitment but also how his overly detailed approach can hinder him. This is where Trevor comes in to help.
Trevor may be best known by those actually living in the MCU for his controversial role as the Mandarin, but he proves to be more than that mishap. He truly loves and appreciates the art of acting. He continually offers wisdom and insight to Simon — this actor who gets in his head a lot and isn’t always personable. But Simon figures out his approach to Wonder Man and books the role because of Trevor. He helps teach Simon to let go and trust his natural talent.
In Wonder Man episode 7: “Kathy Friedman,” Simon explains how people only really like him in tandem with Trevor. Otherwise, on his own, he lacks charm and amiability. That line was really telling of the impact Trevor has had on Simon and how important he’d become. But they develop more than just a working relationship. The more Trevor actually gets to know Simon the person, not just Simon the actor, the stronger their bond becomes — the easier it is for Trevor to root for and help Simon with no ulterior motive.
The Damage Control of Working with the Department of Damage Control
The plot of Wonder Man remains riveting throughout its eight episodes because of Trevor’s involvement with the Department of Damage Control. Without the DODC storyline, the MCU Disney+ series could still be a heartwarming narrative about how the best relationships change people for the better. But Trevor being a mole for the DODC heightens the conflict and sets him up for legitimate growth. It also helps fill gaps in his story, which began in Iron Man 3 and continued in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Trevor working with the DODC is essentially a creative exercise — another acting gig that will serve him. But he continually questions his actions as the show progresses. Suddenly, Simon isn’t just some random working actor who, according to the DODC, is an extreme threat. Simon is a fellow actor who appreciates the craft of acting and recognizes Trevor for his genuine talent, not his mistakes as the Mandarin.
Wonder Man is the Trevor Slattery redemption arc no one anticipated. It turns him from comic relief into a serious character with heart and depth. Was reprising the Mandarin role a good idea? Probably not. But Trevor’s choice to be the Mandarin this time is selfless. He trades his freedom to save Simon and his dream of a breakout role.
Superpowers and Sacrifice in Wonder Man
The lack of clarity behind Simon’s powers is intriguing but somewhat infuriating. The show hints at Simon’s superpowers but never fully explains any of it. There was the kitchen fire incident from when Simon was a kid, but he was completely unharmed in the accident, implying some sort of durability or imperviousness. He was also involved in a porta-potty explosion on The Rookie set.
In Wonder Man episode 8: “Yucca Valley,” Simon’s powers are revealed to relate to ionic energy. But there’s no explanation about how he got his powers. Hopefully, the full story will be told in another Marvel project, whether that’s Wonder Man season 2 (which has yet to be decided on) or something else. Ultimately, however, Simon’s powers are crucial in this streaming series not because they exist or make him enhanced, but because his powers have negatively impacted him his entire life.
From his family to his ex-girlfriend, Simon’s powers prevent him from being his full self. At first, powers just make him different. But then, powers become a threat to his dream. The series shows how he struggles to control the abilities he suppresses. He can, however, try to control the things and people around him as much as possible. It tends to manifest as selfishness and inconsideration, though.
Simon has to relinquish that control to be the best he can be. And it’s not just acting where Simon grows. He becomes a better person who’s more confident, caring and considerate. He chooses to use his powers to break Trevor out of prison, knowing it’s worth the risk and reciprocating the sacrifice. It’s a great journey to follow.
For the most part, the show paces the story well so that the progression is clear and the reward feels earned. Once Trevor is off the movie, things feel a bit rushed and glossed over. The shock of Trevor bringing the Mandarin back to cover Simon’s on-set power outburst doesn’t get time to really breathe and feel like as much of the shakeup as it is. The show quickly pivots from Simon going to set without Trevor for the first time to the movie’s premiere. But this is a minor criticism that doesn’t hurt the quality of the show.
All eight episodes of Wonder Man are now streaming on Disney+.
