Beebom Score
Marvel is out with its first release of 2026, and this time around, it’s not a known face or hero; instead, we have got ourselves someone a lot of people would be unfamiliar with. Marvel has introduced us to Simon Williams, AKA Wonder Man. If you think that we are looking at just another superhero show, you would be highly mistaken. This show is nothing like what we have seen come out of Marvel before, and while it does have the superhero element, it’s not exactly what you would expect, making it something that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Check out my Wonder Man review as I talk about the TV show in depth.
The Story Works Fine, Pacing, Not So Much
Wonder Man brings us the story of Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a struggling actor searching for a role that would kick-start his career among the big shots. As a child, Simon and his dad loved a superhero movie titled Wonder Man, and when Simon found out through Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) that a remake of that movie was being made, he made it his mission to be cast as Wonder-Man.
However, there’s a big secret Simon is hiding. He is a superpowered individual and is really powerful. However, due to a terrible accident back in the day, enhanced individuals were banned from being a part of movies and shows. Now, while he is hiding his secret pretty well, the Department of Damage Control is onto him and is using Slattery to spy on Simon to gather enough evidence to detain him. While Trevor became good friends with Simon, things became a bit complicated.
Now, while the story works out fine, has layers to it, and is quite intriguing, the pacing of this show is painfully slow. Some elements we see in the show are not really necessary. For instance, an entire episode of the show is just about why enhanced individuals are not allowed to work on movies anymore, a story that could have simply been told through a monologue while keeping the primary focus on the actual story. At one point, things become quite predictable, but it takes its sweet time to get to the point.
The Performances Put Forward are Certainly Wonder Man’s Highlight
The strongest factor of Wonder Man was the performances carried out by the cast. This entire show revolves around acting and gives us a look behind the cameras, which brings us our favourite movies and shows. Both Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley gave us an intriguing performance as the leads.
It’s one thing to play one character throughout the show, but it’s a different story when one has to play not just the main hero, but also several other characters they play within the show. The gradual connection you see developing between Simon and Trevor is portrayed very well as we see the comfort level between them increase visibly. The emotional scenes of the series hit just the right spot, and the subtle comedy put forward by the legendary Ben Kingsley is truly praiseworthy.
Wonder Man Is Not Your Typical Superhero Show, and It Might Disappoint Some Fans
While Marvel’s shows have always been their strong suit and usually work on a similar outline, Wonder Man takes a completely different path. One might tune into Wonder Man, hoping to witness some superhero action like most Marvel movies and TV Shows, but instead, is served with something that can be classified as a drama with a pinch of sci-fi.
Throughout the show, Simon is trying to hide his true identity, so there aren’t a lot of moments where we get to see him use his powers. However, if you look past your usual expectations, Wonder Man is a slow-paced, intriguing story about a struggling man who is trying to make ends meet for himself and achieve his dream.
While Wonder Man is a good show, it has its flaws, some of which are rooted in our expectations. So, it goes without saying that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are looking for a unique experience from Marvel, this show is handcrafted for you.
Shashank Shakya
