The essentials in 30 seconds: Wanda Maximoff began as a complex heroine in Avengers: Age of Ultron before becoming, over the course of WandaVision and then Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU's most feared antagonist under the name Scarlet Witch. This transformation is explained by an impossible-to-overcome grief and the discovery of the Darkhold, the grimoire that corrupts her power to manipulate reality. Find the complete analysis of this evolution here, along with our collection of Scarlet Witch merchandise.
Few characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have experienced a trajectory as devastating as Wanda Maximoff. Introduced as a young woman with poorly controlled powers, she became, in just a few films and one cult series, one of the most powerful and tragic characters in the entire Marvel universe. This guide traces, step by step, how Wanda went from an Avengers heroine to Scarlet Witch, a multiverse antagonist, drawing on the key moments from WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Who was Wanda Maximoff before becoming Scarlet Witch?
Wanda Maximoff first appears in Avengers: Age of Ultron, alongside her twin brother Pietro. Subjected to experiments by Hydra involving Loki's Scepter, she develops powers of telekinesis and mind manipulation and, as we discover much later, the ability to manipulate reality itself. After Pietro's death and a period of hostility toward Tony Stark, she joins the Avengers and becomes a loyal fighter, eventually sacrificing Vision in Avengers: Infinity War in an attempt to prevent Thanos from reclaiming the Mind Stone. To better understand the origins of her powers, our article Scarlet Witch: Chaos and Distorted Reality explores the nature of her chaos magic in depth.
This first part of her journey clearly presents her as a heroine—troubled, certainly, but fundamentally aligned with the Avengers' values. The shift occurs gradually, driven by a grief she never manages to fully overcome.
WandaVision: the turning point
The 2021 series WandaVision marks a decisive turning point in the character's development. Devastated by the loss of Vision and grieving Pietro, Wanda unconsciously creates the Hex, an alternate reality in the small town of Westview, where she recreates an idyllic married life with a resurrected version of Vision and their two children, Billy and Tommy. What the series portrays with great subtlety is that Wanda does not act out of malice: she is overwhelmed by grief she has never been able to process, and her uncontrolled power transforms that grief into collective imprisonment for the residents of Westview.
It is in this series that the name "Scarlet Witch" is first spoken on screen, by the character Agatha Harkness, who recognizes in Wanda a legendary power drawn from spellbooks. The ending of WandaVision sees Wanda renounce the Hex and free the inhabitants of Westview, but she leaves with the Darkhold, the Book of the Damned, which she begins studying in secret. This final, ambiguous choice lays the groundwork for her coming descent.
Wanda Maximoff Scarlet Witch Cosplay Costume - Red Jumpsuit with Cape and Headpiece
A red jumpsuit faithful to Scarlet Witch's outfit in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, including the cape and headpiece.
Ideal for embodying the darkest and most iconic version of Wanda Maximoff.
200,90 €
View productDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: the self-proclaimed antagonist
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda's transformation into an antagonist becomes complete. Corrupted by the Darkhold, she is now willing to do anything, including crossing the multiverse and targeting America Chavez, a young girl capable of traveling between universes, in an attempt to find a version of her sons Billy and Tommy in a parallel reality. The film shows her confronting the Illuminati of an alternate Earth with devastating power, confirming her status as one of the most formidable entities in the entire Marvel multiverse, alongside figures such as Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, who himself struggles to contain her.
What makes this evolution so striking is that it never turns Wanda into a simple caricature of a "villain." The film takes care to show that, terrible as her actions may be, they remain motivated by misguided maternal love and unresolved pain. It is this moral ambiguity that makes Scarlet Witch one of the richest antagonists ever introduced in the MCU, worlds apart from classic villains like Ultron, whose motivations are more black and white.
Understanding chaos magic and the role of the Darkhold
Technically, Wanda's powers come from two distinct sources that overlap in the film. On one hand, her chaos magic can manipulate matter, energy, the mind, and even reality itself on a level few characters in the multiverse can match. On the other, the Darkhold, an ancient grimoire written in demonic ink, grants immense power to anyone who studies it, at the cost of progressively corrupting their mind. This combination explains both the unprecedented scale of her abilities in Multiverse of Madness and the psychological decline that accompanies them.
This mechanism is reminiscent of Vision's, another complex creation of the MCU whose humanity and motivations are just as nuanced. To explore this parallel further, our article Vision: The AI Who Became an Avenger traces the unbreakable bond between the two characters, a bond that largely explains Wanda's downfall after the loss of her partner.
Marvel Legends Scarlet Witch Figure - Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness 6-Inch
A detailed figure that captures Wanda Maximoff in all her chaotic power, as she appears in the film.
A must-have for collectors who follow the character's evolution throughout the MCU.
190,90 €
View productHeroine or antagonist: a debate that remains open among fans
Since the release of Multiverse of Madness, the fan community has remained divided over how to interpret Wanda's journey. Some see it as the logical conclusion of a tragic arc that began in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where grief and isolation eventually consume a character who is nevertheless deeply human. Others regret that the film did not leave more room for possible redemption, choosing instead to turn a complex heroine into a simple threat to defeat for the sake of the plot.
This debate ties into the broader question of the boundary between heroes and villains in the Marvel universe, a subject we also explore through the journeys of other morally ambiguous characters such as Loki, villain or hero? The evolution of an iconic character. Like Loki, Wanda embodies this gray area so characteristic of the modern MCU, where motivations often matter more than the actions themselves.
The multiverse, catalyst for her downfall
Without the existence of the multiverse, popularized in particular by the events of Loki and explored in greater depth in our article explaining the Marvel multiverse in simple terms, Wanda would never have had access to other versions of her children, and therefore would never have been tempted to take them by force. The multiverse acts here as a narrative catalyst that makes a previously purely emotional obsession tangible.
Avengers Scarlet Witch Funko Pop Keychain - Multiverse of Madness
Wanda Maximoff in her costume from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as a Funko Pop keychain.
A compact and affordable accessory for showing your passion every day.
28,90 €
View productCollecting Wanda, from her beginnings to Scarlet Witch
For collectors who want to follow this entire journey, there is merchandise covering every stage of the character's transformation. The Avengers Scarlet Witch Enamel Pin remains an affordable option for a first collectible, while the Scarlet Witch Wig - Burgundy Red Curly Hair with Tiara lets you complete a full cosplay, especially when paired with the official costume featured above. These pieces pair perfectly with the other items in our Women's Avengers Costumes collection and our Avengers Masks collection for cosplay events or Halloween.
When it comes to figures, several editions stand out depending on the era of the character they represent: vintage comic-style models evoke the Wanda of the West Coast Avengers era, while Marvel Legends and Funko Pop figures dedicated to Multiverse of Madness capture her darkest and most feared version. Combining these two aesthetics in a single collection allows you to visually tell the character's entire evolution, from the timid heroine with poorly controlled powers to the all-powerful antagonist of the multiverse. If you're unsure how much to budget for this collection, our Avengers Gift Ideas: The Ultimate Guide offers useful guidance for putting together a cohesive gift, whatever amount you have available.
Finally, keep in mind that Wanda shares her fate with other iconic figures from the multiverse, starting with Vision and the Sorcerer Supreme himself, whose merchandise can be found in our Vision Merchandise collection and our Doctor Strange Merchandise collection. Bringing these three universes together in a single collector's display allows you to tell, item by item, the complete story that takes Wanda from Age of Ultron to Mount Wundagore.
Summary table of her evolution
| Work | Wanda's status | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Avengers: Age of Ultron | Heroine in training | Loss of Pietro, joining the Avengers |
| Avengers: Infinity War / Endgame | Sacrificial heroine | Vision's death, impossible grief |
| WandaVision | Ambiguous turning point | Creation of the Hex, discovery of the Darkhold |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Embraced antagonist | Total corruption by the Darkhold |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Wanda Maximoff and Scarlet Witch the same character?
Yes. Scarlet Witch is the superhero name, and later the antagonist identity, adopted by Wanda Maximoff once she fully embraces her chaos magic. The name first appears explicitly on screen in WandaVision.
Did Wanda die at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?
The film ends on an ambiguous scene suggesting that Wanda destroys the Darkhold stronghold on Mount Wundagore, potentially perishing with it, but her exact fate is not explicitly confirmed on screen, leaving the door open to a future return.
Which series should you watch to understand Wanda's transformation?
WandaVision is essential for understanding the character's psychological transformation. It is part of a collection of must-watch Marvel series, as highlighted by our article WandaVision, Loki, Hawkeye: The Best Marvel Series to Watch.
Why does Wanda become more powerful than Doctor Strange?
Her chaos magic is presented in the comics and the MCU as one of the most powerful forces in the Marvel universe, capable of rivaling cosmic entities. Combined with the corruption of the Darkhold, it temporarily surpasses the abilities of the Sorcerer Supreme, although the latter remains a formidable opponent thanks to his technical mastery of the mystic arts.
Are Scarlet Witch products available in both costumes (heroine and antagonist)?
Yes, the store offers figurines and costumes featuring both the more classic Wanda from her early appearances and the Scarlet Witch version from Multiverse of Madness, allowing fans to choose their preferred incarnation of the character.
To take your exploration of the Avengers universe further
- Scarlet Witch: Chaos and Distorted Reality — to fully understand the nature of her powers
- Vision: The AI Who Became an Avenger
- Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts
- The Marvel Multiverse Explained Simply
- All the Avengers Heroes: Complete Character Guide (store page)
Key takeaways
From wounded heroine to feared antagonist, Wanda Maximoff embodies one of the MCU's richest narrative arcs. To continue exploring your passion for this character, discover our Scarlet Witch Products collection, our Avengers Costumes and Fancy Dress collection, or our Avengers Figurines collection to find the representation of Wanda that suits you best, whether she is a heroine or the Scarlet Witch.