Ironheart Review: Dominique Thorne Shines In A Refreshing Marvel Series

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It’s understandable if you didn’t keep tabs on Riri Williams, the brilliant MIT student portrayed by Dominique Thorne, who played a significant part in last year’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” If so, take a moment to catch up with Looper’s recap video. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Riri was positioned as a potential heir to tech geniuses like Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Now, the narrative for her character is moving forward, and you can follow it in the new series called “Ironheart.

Produced by Chinaka Hodge, a writer and rapper who’s contributed to series such as “Snowpiercer” and “The Midnight Club”, the Disney+ series “Ironheart” serves not only as a refresher for Riri within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but also as a comprehensive portrayal of her identity, aspirations, and current path amidst this universe filled with divine beings, advanced technologies, and extraordinary abilities. Carrying such a heavy load in the MCU’s ongoing narrative can be challenging, and at times “Ironheart” reveals the pressure it faces. However, when it’s at its peak, this series is among the best streaming content the MCU has ever offered, delivering a strong, enjoyable watch with an outstanding lead role and occasional bursts of genius.

Catching up with Riri Williams

In “Ironheart,” we find Riri in a tough situation when she reappears. Her initiatives at MIT are spending more than her fellowship funds from Tony Stark’s foundation, causing the determined young engineer to overstep boundaries and get expelled from the university. Consequently, Riri and her unfinished iron suit return home to Chicago, where additional turmoil lies in wait.

As much as my mom Ronnie, or Anji White, urges me to unwind and take a breather, I can’t seem to tear myself away from perfecting my suit and completing other projects. This relentless drive stems from the tragic loss of my best friend Natalie, Lyric Ross, who fell victim to gun violence some time ago. The grief still lingers, unaddressed, in the corners of my heart. My knack for technology has led me to Parker Robbins, also known as “Hood” because of his enigmatic red cloak, who leads a band of thieves.

Parker and his team present Riri with an opportunity (apparently), enabling her to discover her full abilities, work beyond societal norms, and significantly, finance her ventures while aiding Parker in disrupting some tech companies in Chicago. This initiation sets off a complex, uncertain adventure for the young engineer, as she must confront moral dilemmas regarding her actions, limitations, and potential hidden motivations behind Parker.

Immediately, Chinaka Hodge and her writing team introduce a show with significant promise by contrasting Riri’s technological prowess against Parker’s mysterious influence from the hood. Simultaneously, they explore Riri’s complex relationships with her mother, community, grief over Natalie, and her stance on the MCU legacy. Unlike previous MCU stories, there are no Avengers, Stark Industries minions, or missions beyond Chicago. Instead, this story focuses on an extraordinary individual navigating an extraordinary world, striving to chart her own course amidst uncertainty, which feels invigorating and impactful in the current cluttered state of the MCU.

There’s plenty of drama in Ironheart

As a devoted fan, I must admit that “Ironheart” is brimming with drama and intrigue, yet, at times, it feels like the show is juggling multiple elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) simultaneously. This aspect, while exciting for many reasons, occasionally hinders Riri’s personal journey by introducing subplots that, although not inherently problematic, can momentarily dampen the emotional impact of her adventure.

However, there are instances where these connective tissues—long-awaited moments that fans have eagerly anticipated—play a crucial role in expanding the broader MCU narrative. Despite their importance, they sometimes distract from Riri’s story, leaving me yearning for the main event to resume, even during the most thrilling revelations and appearances.

Dominique Thorne plays a pivotal role in the series “Ironheart,” effortlessly carrying the show amidst outstanding performances by Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, and others. Her portrayal of Riri Williams is captivating, particularly as the character straddles the line between hero and antihero. The show doesn’t aim to have Riri make ‘right’ choices based on objective standards but rather explores the consequences of pushing a brilliant yet inexperienced potential hero—through family pressures, grief, and new criminal associates. Thorne masterfully portrays the tension within Riri, as well as her inner strength and joy, making for a compelling and powerful performance.

The power shown in this series extends to the entire collection. While “Ironheart” may not always flow smoothly, there are moments where it gets a bit disjointed and leaves storylines unresolved for too long before finally wrapping them up, yet there’s an authenticity in its messy, prickly parts that truly captures Riri’s character. By the end of the series, “Ironheart” delivers a satisfying conclusion, tying all those loose ends together into something fresh, entertaining, and uniquely fitting within the MCU, which can sometimes lean towards uniformity. After watching “Ironheart,” you’ll find it hard to break away from Riri Williams, making it one of the essential new series this summer.

“Ironheart” premieres June 24 on Disney+.

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2025-06-25 04:00