Marvel serves up a spellbinding spin-off.

When WandaVision concluded with a show-stopping reveal and the infectious anthem “Agatha All Along,” the character of Agatha Harkness, played with mischievous glee by Kathryn Hahn, captured the imagination of Marvel fans everywhere. Her spin-off series, aptly named Agatha All Along, dives headfirst into the magical side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, proving to be not just a continuation but an enrichment of the lore surrounding the mystic arts. With a deft balance of humour, pathos, and sorcery, the show succeeds in establishing Agatha as more than just a scene-stealing antagonist.

At its core, Agatha All Along explores Agatha Harkness’s origins, her fractured morality, and her place in a universe brimming with supernatural chaos. Picking up after the events of both WandaVision and Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, the series finds Agatha still under the spell cast by Wanda Maximoff, doomed to live out her days as the clueless neighbour Agnes in Westview. However, this is Agatha we’re talking about, and it isn’t long before her cunning and resourcefulness start to unravel the constraints of Wanda’s magic. Through a combination of flashbacks, clever exposition, and present-day developments, the series paints a vivid picture of Agatha’s journey, taking us from the Salem Witch Trials to the present day, all while staying true to the character’s sharp wit and moral ambiguity.

The narrative picks up three years after the events of WandaVision, with Agatha still trapped in Westview, living out the illusion Wanda imposed on her. Enter a mysterious teenager (Joe Locke), who seeks out Agatha for help navigating the Witches’ Road, a legendary gauntlet of magical trials that promises to unlock immense power. The teen’s arrival sets the stage for Agatha’s resurgence, as her latent cunning allows her to gradually shake off the spell binding her. Together, they gather an unlikely coven that includes Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), an alchemical mystic under a power binding spell; Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), a protection witch; and Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), an expert in divination, haunted by past visions. Each member brings their own unique talents and personal struggles, adding depth to the group dynamic as they face the trials ahead.

As the group ventures through the Witches’ Road, the series interweaves present-day conflicts with flashbacks that expand Agatha’s backstory. The Salem Witch Trials are re-examined, showcasing Agatha’s fraught relationship with her mother and the choices that led to her wielding forbidden magic. These sequences add multiple layers to her character while creating poignant parallels with her struggles in the present. Each trial on the Witches’ Road challenges the coven’s unity, pushing them to confront their fears, ambitions, and hidden truths in unexpected, and occasionally surreal ways, tipping the metatextual hat to the multiplicity of witch portrayals across popular culture.

Kathryn Hahn’s performance remains the beating heart of the series. Whether she’s delivering barbed quips or navigating Agatha’s moral complexities, Hahn ensures that her character’s journey is as compelling as it is entertaining. Joe Locke’s mysterious teenager provides a strong counterpoint, with his journey of self-discovery and untapped potential gradually earning Agatha’s respect and affection while Aubrey Plaza is magnetic as the mercurial Rio Vidal, a rival sorceress whose plans threaten to derail the coven’s progress, adding an edge of unpredictability and danger to the narrative.

Visually, the series excels in immersing viewers in its mystical world. The Witches’ Road is a stunning blend of eerie landscapes and surreal magic, while the production design richly captures the gothic underpinnings of the story. The special effects are consistently impressive, particularly in the climactic sequences that showcase the full extent of Agatha’s restored powers while thematically, the series delves into the cost of power, the struggle for redemption, and the search for identity. Agatha’s arc is particularly satisfying, as she moves from self-serving manipulator to a reluctant matriarch of her newfound coven. By the finale, she emerges not as a hero or villain but as a complex, fully realised character who refuses to be defined by her past.

The final episodes deliver a satisfying mix of action, emotion, and world-building. Without shying away from spoilers, the series ends on a note that both concludes Agatha’s immediate journey and leaves tantalising possibilities for her future in the MCU. The implications of the events on the Witches’ Road ripple outward, setting the stage for new developments in the multiverse saga.

After its seemingly troubled journey to the screen, Agatha All Along is a triumph for Marvel’s Disney+ slate, offering a richly textured exploration of magic and character that feels both fresh and integral to the larger MCU. Fans of WandaVision and Marvel’s mystical side will find plenty to love, while newcomers will be drawn in by the show’s sharp writing, stellar performances, and captivating visuals.