Agatha All Along, a scintillating spin-off from WandaVision, ventures into realms both whimsically eerie and genuinely unsettling. It has been three years since Agatha Harkness emerged as the malevolent force behind WandaVision, a series that ingeniously combined classic sitcom tropes with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s eccentricity. While Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff was acknowledged as the fabled Scarlet Witch, it was Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha, masquerading as the nosy neighbor “Agnes,” who captivated audiences with her captivatingly dark persona.
Now, Agatha steps into the spotlight with her own solo adventure, overseen WandaVision’s showrunner, Jac Schaeffer. The series adeptly mirrors its predecessor’s narrative layering, unfolding within a multi-dimensional storytelling framework. Picking up from Agatha’s failed attempt to usurp Wanda’s powers, the character finds herself ensnared within her Agnes guise, powerless and relegated to a darker, crime-drama-infused alternate reality.
The series begins with a satirical nod to detective dramas in “Agnes of Westview,” portraying Agatha as a no-nonsense detective in a parody akin to Mare of Easttown. Here, the show-within-a-show format is executed with both self-awareness and finesse, featuring Agatha as a flannel-clad maverick grappling with a delightfully clichéd Jane Doe case.
This initial layer of intricate storytelling soon unravels with Agatha’s liberation, courtesy of a witch-obsessed enthusiast played Joe Locke. He convinces her that reclaiming her powers requires navigating the perilous Witches’ Road, a journey that propels Agatha All Along into a unique narrative blend. The series deftly melds horror elements with the adventurous spirit of Scoo-Doo and the high camp of Hocus Pocus, evolving into a puzzle-box narrative that unearths its mysteries with flair.
To access the Witches’ Road, Agatha must temper her solitary nature and undertake a recruitment campaign reminiscent of heist cinema. Her motley crew includes Patti LuPone as Lilia, a fortune teller entangled in financial woes; Ali Ahn as Alice, the progeny of a renowned witch rocker; and Sasheer Zamata as Jen, a witch-turned-wellness guru promoting beauty products.
However, the standout performance is Aubrey Plaza’s portrayal of Rio Vidal, a green witch whose fraught relationship with Agatha is charged with palpable sexual tension. Plaza, embodying her role with an electric presence, initially appears as a federal agent in Agatha’s fantasy, only to become a central figure in the coven’s escapades.
The series proudly positions itself as Marvel’s most queer-inclusive offering to date, with a spectrum of LGBTQ+ characters, musical performances, and extravagant makeovers. Yet, its exploration of queerness transcends superficial representations, delving into themes of otherness, identity, and the significance of chosen family, resonating deeply with the LGBTQ+ community and reflecting on the cultural history of witchcraft.
Embracing its pre-Halloween release, Agatha All Along oscillates between playful spookiness and genuine terror. It argues for a nuanced understanding of witches beyond the superficial, while also fulfilling the genre’s classic tropes: sisterhood, arcane rituals, and enchanted ingredients. Stripped of their supernatural prowess, the coven must rely on their “craft” and determination to overcome the Witches’ Road. The quest is further enriched tantalizing enigmas, such as the true identity of Locke’s “Teen,” Wanda’s possible fate, and the mystery surrounding Agatha’s absent son.
While Marvel productions can sometimes seem aloof due to extensive green-screen work and grandiose spectacles, Agatha All Along demonstrates that the essence of a captivating show lies in genuine chemistry. Hahn, along with a talented ensemble cast, brings forth a delightful blend of humor and darkness, crafting a magical journey that is both whimsically absurd and profoundly engaging.
