Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Direct sequel dealing with T'Challa's death after Chadwick Boseman's real-life passing
The brief
Ryan Coogler transforms what could have been a franchise obligation into something that actually grapples with loss, letting the grief over Chadwick Boseman's death fuel both the story and performances. Letitia Wright steps up as Shuri with real emotional weight, while Tenoch Huerta brings genuine menace as Namor without falling into typical Marvel quip territory. At nearly three hours, it definitely drags in the middle, but the film earns its bloated runtime with scenes that prioritize character beats over action spectacle. This works best if you're invested in the Wakanda world and want a superhero movie that actually sits with heavy emotions instead of undercutting them with jokes.
The verdict
If you're invested in the MCU's emotional depth and can handle a nearly three-hour runtime that prioritizes grief and character development over constant action, this is a genuinely moving superhero film that respects both its characters and audience. If you prefer tighter pacing and typical Marvel entertainment over heavy themes about loss and mourning, you'll likely find it bloated and too serious for your tastes.
Watch with
- 👥 Marvel fans ready for emotional weight
- 👫 Those wanting character-driven superhero stories
- ⚠️ Viewers who need constant action
Heads up
- Character death and funeral scenes (moderate)
- Large-scale battle violence (moderate)
- Themes of grief and loss throughout (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Ryan Coogler
- Cast
- Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman
Official synopsis
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Both explore nations protecting their people against overwhelming external threats.
Total runtime: 2h 42m + 2h 02m = 4h 44m
