Agatha All Along review: Milquetoast Marvel show doesn’t allow Kathryn Hahn to cook

Four years after Marvel ventured into the realm of streaming, it’s become evident that this experiment has not only led to a series of underwhelming shows but also affected the quality of the studio’s film slate. Back in 2020, however, the landscape was different. The MCU was a powerhouse, and the impressive WandaVision sparked confidence in Marvel’s foray into television. But now, in 2024, it feels like we’ve taken a step backward, with Agatha All Along — essentially a spinoff of a spinoff — being touted as the next big event series.

Starring the irresistibly charismatic Kathryn Hahn as the titular witch, Agatha All Along is helmed by Jac Schaeffer, who was also behind Marvel’s streaming debut. In retrospect, WandaVision remains the MCU’s standout TV achievement — an innovative exploration of grief that also served as a heartfelt tribute to television itself. Following such a high was always going to be challenging, and for the first 25 minutes or so, Agatha All Along seems to be trying to recapture some of that Scarlet Witch magic.

However, it doesn’t take long for Agatha to snap back to “reality.” She soon realizes that the gritty, scandi-noir world she’s inhabiting is merely an illusion. Agatha discovers that she’s been imprisoned in Westview by Wanda Maximoff for the past three years, after losing possession of the dangerous Darkhold. Even for those familiar with WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, much of this feels convoluted. But the deeper issue isn’t just the obscure references; Agatha All Along ultimately suffers from being too episodic and lacks the engaging momentum needed to captivate viewers.