Wonder Man is a Hollywood satire with an ionic punch

Rating: ★★★★☆

Reviewed: February 12, 2026

Dropped in its entirety on Disney+ late last month, Wonder Man is less of a superhero origin story and more of a love letter (and occasionally a poison pen letter) to the absurdity of Hollywood itself.

Showrunners Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest have delivered something the Marvel Cinematic Universe has desperately needed recently: a distinct, singular voice.

The series follows Simon Williams (played with soulful intensity by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a struggling actor who just happens to be a walking battery of ionic energy. In this corner of the MCU, superpowers aren’t just a gift; they’re a liability, subject to the "Doorman Clause" that effectively blacklists powered individuals from the entertainment industry, something that's explained with hilarious effect during a cameo featuring Josh Gadd.

Simon isn't trying to save the world; he's trying to land a lead role. His big break comes in the form of a "Wonder Man" movie directed by the eccentric auteur Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić, who chews the scenery with delightful, Werner Herzog-esque gravity).

The show’s greatest strength is the unexpected "buddy cop" chemistry between Simon and Trevor Slattery. Sir Ben Kingsley returns as the disgraced actor/former "Mandarin," and he is an absolute revelation here. He becomes Simon's chaotic mentor, guiding him through the minefield of show business. Watching the stoic, powered Simon play straight man to Slattery’s theatrical narcissism provides the show’s best laughs.

The series thrives on its meta-commentary. It pokes fun at the MCU’s own industrial complex without feeling cynical. The depiction of soundstage politics, green-screen acting, and the desperate hustle of pilot season feels grounded and real, making the moments of superhero spectacle pop even more when they finally happen.

While the character work is top-tier, the pacing occasionally stumbles. At eight episodes, the middle section (particularly episodes 4 and 5) feels like it’s treading water, reiterating Simon's reluctance to use his powers one too many times.

Wonder Man is a refreshing, stylized detour that proves Marvel can still experiment successfully. It’s grounded, funny, and surprisingly poignant about the art of performance.