Marvel Studios Ironheart (2025)

Marvel Studios IRONHEART 🛡️ 

After making her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Iron Man-admiring tech genius Riri Williams has returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her own six-episode event series—IRONHEART.

When I first heard they were introducing a character that looked up to Tony Stark but wanted to make their own mark on the world, I thought this was going to be a corny “I WANT TO BE IRON MAN!” type series, but it is so much more—and better than that. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man owns the Tony Stark-admiring real estate in the MCU, so instead of doubling down on that part of the story, I appreciated the pivot that acknowledges the admiration for Stark but leans into wanting to cement her own legacy.

The start of her legacy begins at MIT, but after a few missteps quickly shifts to Chicago, where Riri Williams reluctantly joins an underground syndicate of thieves to fund her undeveloped tech. Through their crime sprees, Riri is forced to reflect on the ethical nature of justifying her actions against the greater good of what she aspires to be.

There’s also a connection to the magical side of the MCU, surprising ties to the past, and a reveal that we have all been waiting for.

Marvel is really finding their footing with these streaming series.

I always thought that the recipe for success for these streaming shows was to treat them like the world of comic books. There are so many different stories playing out in Marvel comics that if you don’t like one version of a character (or a specific run of a story), there are so many more to choose from. With Agatha All Along, Daredevil: Born Again, and now IRONHEART, we have three distinctly tailored stories that aren’t meant to have mass appeal because their clear direction is the stylistic choice of existing in a world that benefits the character while sprinkling some connective tissue to the overarching MCU for good measure.

If people don’t like IRONHEART, I’ll completely understand, but the entire energy of the series, from the character portrayals to the emotional beats of the story and the incredible casting, had me all the way in on this in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Honestly, I didn’t care at all about the Riri Williams part of Black Panther, but now she might be my new favourite addition to the young core of the MCU. As well as Lyric Ross’s Natalie (Natalie > ChatGPT all freaking day) and Regan Aliyah as Zelma Stanton. Those three were such a blast to watch.

Also, Dominique Thorne may look young as hell, but this series treats her and the world she exists in like she’s grown, and that’s a winning ingredient for the series.

Of course, the formulaic approach to these MCU shows of having to force a big fight derails the best parts of the series, but knowing that it’s coming at this point is something I’ve come to accept and gloss over.

There is also a BIGGER bad at the root of some of what’s going on, and that aspect of the story is infinitely more interesting than the one we see playing out in the light. The casting is PHENOMENAL. I really hope they do that character justice because it does feel a little late on the introduction, but I’m also just happy they’re finally here.

It’s worth noting that I normally HATE when a notable name is added on as executive producer, which is usually a cheap ploy of associating a movie or TV show with that person’s brand recognition. In this case it’s warranted because from the dialogue to the awesome soundtrack, IRONHEART has Ryan Coogler’s fingerprints all over it.

I really am surprised at how high I am on a series and character I could’ve cared less about before watching this.

Again, IRONHEART won’t be for everyone; this is not meant to have mass appeal. It’s just a well-casted, tailor made, character-driven story that gives a proper introduction to a next-generation Marvel hero. 

Enjoy!

7.3/10 🍿 🎥

Runtime: 40-50mins

Episodes: 6

Where: Streaming on Disney+ June 24th & July 1st.

Marvel Studios Ironheart Review (2025) The Richmond Reviewer - June 24th, 2025.

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