Agatha All Along Review: Marvel's Hocus Pocus Is a Welcome Change To MCU But Needs Little More Magic

Agatha All Along Series Review: Note: this review is based on the first four episodes. The witches are back but are they in their ‘Marvel’-ous avatar? Let’s find out. Marvel Cinematic Universe is returning one last time this year with Agatha All Along. The MCU series brings back Kathryn Hahn as Agatha and is set three years after WandaVision. Unlike the previous Marvel series, that often revisited events post Avengers: Endgame, Agatha All Along takes a break from it all to fully focus on its main character — the witches of MCU. It is a move that is not only refreshing but also breezy to watch. However, Marvel’s writing curse haunts Agatha as well.

Debuting on Disney+ Hotstar, the series has a rocky start, with the first episode starting on a rather confusing note. However, as the second episode rolls, the MCU series finds a solid grounding and takes off well. The second, third and fourth episodes show the witches on a challenging path, facing not only their fears but also unraveling their true potential.

Agatha All Along Plot:

Agatha All Along revolves around Agatha (Kathryn Hahn), who is trying to regain her witch powers after Wanda trapped her in Westview, New Jersey, without her magic. Her quest gets a new life when a teenager (played by Joe Locke) crosses her path. Together, they decide to search for the Witches’ Road, a path filled with challenges that she has to face in order to regain her powers. However, she cannot travel this path alone. She needs her coven, thus bringing in a few other witches of MCU. Will they manage to find the path and regain their powers? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Is Agatha All Along Good?

The series is welcome changed from the most MCU series we have watched since the pandemic hit. Much like WandaVision, Agatha All Along also has its own voice. The series not only has a hint of witty sarcasm courtesy Kathryn, but also brings an edginess with the help of Aubrey Plaza. Their showdown in the opening parts of the series is a treat to watch. Their love-hate relationship sub plot is an interesting arc to the series.

However, I still have issues with the series. While the series is evidently not taking itself too seriously – seemingly approaching witchcraft concept like Hocus Pocus did -the writing is still weak in the first four episodes. Given that Kathryn is the face of the show, her character arc seems undercooked. I am hoping that it will change as the season progresses.

The first four episodes feel like they needed a little more tightening and polishing to make it truly magical. The concepts work in favour of the series but it doesn’t show Agatha as the witch we should fear. Instead, Aubrey shines as Rio Vidal. The casting works brilliantly but Aubrey’s performance, at times, outshines Kathryn in her own series.

Ali Ahn takes the spotlight, especially in the fourth episode. I’d like to see much more of her in the upcoming episodes. Meanwhile, Joe Locke’s casting is intriguing. While he has contributed well in the first four episodes, the makers have yet to write scenes that would confirm his worth as a good casting choice.

Patti LuPone is fun to watch. Her character’s mysterious past excites me, while Sasheer Zamata perfectly ties the group of witches together with her poised acting.

Big ups to the costumes and art direction department that elevate the vibe of the series. The music also adds to the Halloween feel. Agatha All Along is here to entertain but in the process, it does get a little lost in its own writing, much like Moon Knight did during the second half of the series. Despite its flaws, I am eagerly waiting to see what more is in store in the witches’ magic shop. Agatha All Along might not be a great MCU series but it has the potential to be the perfect Halloween watch.