Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Fans are thrust into the multiverse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with the movie continuing Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an epic way. It highlights the well-written arcs of newcomers like America Chavez and fan-favorites like the Scarlet Witch, while of course following Doctor Strange’s experiences through more than one reality.
Stephen’s best quotes in the film are almost always said during significant moments, with some of them underscoring the funnier side of his personality. Viewers won’t soon forget some of the sorcerer’s most profound lines, with the best ones helping make Doctor Strange 2 an entertaining and worthy sequel.
“I’m Aware Of The Customs.”
Doctor Strange’s disappearance after Thanos’ snap in Avengers: Infinity War left the position of Sorcerer Supreme open, which has unsurprisingly gone to Wong. Some audiences may have expected this to cause tension after Stephen’s return, but it has just been a source of comedic moments, mostly due to Doctor Strange’s stubbornness.
In Kamar-Taj, Wong reminds Stephen in a joking manner that “it’s ancient custom to bow in the presence of the Sorcerer Supreme,” to which he dryly responds that he’s aware. There’s even a callback to this humorous exchange later when sorcerers from other countries bow before the duo as they pledge their arms to Kamar-Taj.
“Dreams Are Windows Into The Lives Of Our Multiversal Selves.”
When Doctor Strange realizes alternate-reality versions of himself could actually exist based on America’s wild story about his dream from the prior night being true, he asks her to “prove it” – she does so in an unsubtle way. Looking down at a corpse that looks just like him (except with a ponytail), the protagonist talks about dreams being windows into their “multiversal selves.”
It’s arguably the moment it dawns on him that they’re dealing with something much more dangerous than a demon covered in runes. He’s also not the only one making connections between his dreams and the multiverse, but the Scarlet Witch already has a nefarious plan in mind.
“This Time It’s Gonna Take More Than Killing Me To Kill Me.”
One of the best aspects of the Marvel movie is how fans got to see Doctor Strange use his magical abilities in a variety of ways, highlighting just how powerful the sorcerer really is. Of course, it’s arguably his unbelievable final move against the Scarlet Witch that truly showcases the extent of his abilities.
His threat to the antagonist about how it’s “gonna take more than killing” him to kill him that time is more than just a witty line, as he is literally controlling “the Souls of the Damned” and a corpse of his own variant, Defender Strange, from another universe.
“Why? Does He Have Bad Breath?”
The members of the Illuminati in Earth-838 are not entertained by Doctor Strange’s offensive remarks and general arrogance, especially after he insults Reed Richards for being part of a group that faded after the sixties, then mocks Black Bolt for having “a fork on his head.” Captain Carter isn’t too amused by this particular statement, telling Stephen to “be grateful Black Bolt doesn’t engage” him “in conversation.”
Audiences would think this may finally drive the message home for the sorcerer, who seems to genuinely have no idea just how powerful the beings in front of him are. That’s not the case, of course, as he just asks if Black Bolt has “bad breath.”
“Wanda’s Gone. She’s Got The Darkhold And The Darkhold Has Her.”
After their jarring conversation earlier in the film, Doctor Strange realizes that he’s no longer dealing with his friend and colleague, Wanda Maximoff, but with “a being of unfathomable magic” controlled by the Darkhold, the Scarlet Witch. It’s an important distinction she makes herself when she threatens to attack Kamar-Taj.
Throughout the movie, it becomes clear that the Darkhold has clouded the character’s judgment, as she goes on a murderous rampage across the multiverse in an attempt to achieve an unrealistic goal. As Sinister Strange points out later on, the book “exacts a heavy toll” on its reader.
“Listen, If Your Moms Are Anything Like Their Daughter, They Survived.”
A hard-hitting conversation takes place when Doctor Strange learns about America’s heartbreaking past, as the first time her powers manifest unexpectedly rip her away from her mothers. She confesses she believes that she “killed them,” which Stephen is quick to correct.
It’s an important exchange that likely influences the protagonist’s crucial decision later to trust America to be able to control her abilities. By beginning to form a genuine bond with her, he sees just how strong and fearless she can be, even if America doesn’t realize it just yet.
“Do You Seriously Think I’m A Bigger Threat Than The Scarlet Witch?”
It’s almost too frustrating to watch Doctor Strange try to explain how dangerous the Scarlet Witch is to the members of the Illuminati, as they’re too preoccupied with their own notions of what Stephen is capable of to really listen to him. For them, he’s the greatest threat to the multiverse, and the Scarlet Witch is just another minor villain they can easily dispose of.
They should’ve listened to his warnings, though, as fans know what happens soon after they ignore his warnings. He’s definitely not the “bigger threat” between the two, and the Scarlet Witch makes this clear in more than one brutal way in that universe.
“Your Parents Would Be Proud. I Hope You’ll Get To Show Them One Day.”
By the end of the film, it’s easy to see that Doctor Strange’s friendship with America has improved by leaps and bounds compared to the shaky start of their relationship. After America tells Stephen how she “made some sparks” while training in the mystic arts in Kamar-Taj, the sorcerer’s heartfelt reply shows how he genuinely cares about the newcomer.
America’s response is even better, as she lets Doctor Strange know that she’s glad she fell into Earth-616, implying that meeting the sorcerer and Wong is one of the best things that has happened to her throughout her chaotic multiversal-hopping misadventures.
“Trust Yourself, Trust Your Power – That’s How We Stop Her.”
Everyone soon sees what sets Earth-616’s Doctor Strange apart from his other variants through an action that puts to rest any doubts 838’s Christine and America may have initially had about him. Although it seemed like he would go down the same route that Defender Strange did when he betrayed America, he decides to encourage her to trust in her own abilities instead.
He tells her exactly what she needs to hear, reminding her that every time she has opened a portal, she has led them to exactly where they needed to go. He even goes as far as telling her she’s “gonna kick that witch’s a*s,” which she does in the most brilliant way.
“I Love You In Every Universe.”
In a tear-jerking scene that rivals Iron Man’s iconic “I love you 3000” moment, Doctor Strange allows himself to become vulnerable in front of Earth-838’s Christine, admitting to her that he doesn’t want to care for someone or have someone care for him, but that he gets scared. They both know at this point that it’s impossible for them to be together, and the film even suggests that Stephen could never be with any version of Christine in any universe.
This fact doesn’t stop him from loving her, though, which makes the emotional line even more painful to hear. A cameo in the post-credits scene implies all hope is not lost for Doctor Strange, but fans will have to wait and see just how Clea’s arrival will change the sorcerer’s life.
