‘Ironheart’ First Reactions Drop, Can It Match the Magic of ‘Agatha All Along’?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting ready to wrap up Phase Five with its newest series, Ironheart. This show follows Riri Williams, a teenage genius from Chicago who builds her own powerful suit and steps into a world of superheroes and magic. Fans first met Riri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and now she’s back in her own show, played once again by Dominique Thorne.
The show was announced back in December 2020. At the same time, Marvel confirmed Thorne would play the lead. A few months later, in April 2021, Chinaka Hodge joined as the head writer.
Then in 2022, more cast members were revealed, and directors Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes came on board. Filming started in Atlanta in June 2022, moved to Chicago later in the year, and wrapped by November.
Ironheart is set to premiere on Disney+ on June 24, 2025, with the first three episodes coming out at once. The next three episodes will be released the following week, on July 1.
Now that some people have seen the show early, reactions are starting to come in. Many viewers are saying it’s emotional, exciting, and different from other Marvel shows. Dominique Thorne is getting a lot of praise for her performance. One viewer said, “Dominique Thorne brings Riri Williams to life with layers that make her so much more. She’s still our incredibly smart girl from Chicago, but there is a lot of depth to Riri’s story.”
The show doesn’t just focus on action. It also dives into the struggles of being a young hero dealing with grief, anxiety, and growing up in a tough world. Another person who saw it early wrote, “Ironheart is a superhero epic rooted in Black genius and emotional truth.”
IRONHEART warmed my heart. Dominique Thorne brings Riri Williams to life with layers that make her so much more. She’s still our incredibly smart girl from Chicago but there is a lot of depth to Riri’s story and the show has a truly emotional arc and an iconic vibe to it.
Rachel Leishman
#IRONHEART is a sincere look at what the life of a teen genius superhero would be like. It’s fun & exciting but also hard & heavy.
Dominique Thorne is a true STAR & the perfect Riri Williams. This series has massive implications for the future of the #MCU. MASSIVE.
POC Culture
#Ironheart is a superhero epic rooted in Black genius and emotional truth. Dominique Thorne shines as Riri Williams, a brilliant teen inventor navigating grief, anxiety, and growing up. This show earns every moment it’s given, so be sure to watch from start to finish.
iammichaeljlee.bsky.social
But not everyone is fully sold yet. One early reaction to Episode 2 said, “Riri feels like a side character in her own show. Hoping the slow burn pays off, but I miss the fights.” Another viewer felt the story didn’t hit as hard as it should, saying, “The story drags, leaning too hard on predictable tropes without earning its emotional beats.”
IRONHEART warmed my heart. Dominique Thorne brings Riri Williams to life with layers that make her so much more. She’s still our incredibly smart girl from Chicago but there is a lot of depth to Riri’s story and the show has a truly emotional arc and an iconic vibe to it.
Rachel Leishman
#IRONHEART is a sincere look at what the life of a teen genius superhero would be like. It’s fun & exciting but also hard & heavy.
Dominique Thorne is a true STAR & the perfect Riri Williams. This series has massive implications for the future of the #MCU. MASSIVE.
POC Culture
#Ironheart is a superhero epic rooted in Black genius and emotional truth. Dominique Thorne shines as Riri Williams, a brilliant teen inventor navigating grief, anxiety, and growing up. This show earns every moment it’s given, so be sure to watch from start to finish.
iammichaeljlee.bsky.social
Still, even with mixed thoughts on some parts, there’s a lot of excitement about what this series could mean for the future of the MCU. Some fans say the events in Ironheart will have a big impact going forward. As one viewer put it, “This series has massive implications for the future of the MCU. MASSIVE.”
So far, it looks like Ironheart is a mix of heartfelt storytelling, superhero action, and a fresh look at what it means to be young, brilliant, and brave in the Marvel world. Time will tell if the full series lives up to the early hype.
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