In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor undergoes a major character arc with tons of development. He has his own trilogy (with a fourth film on the way) and a big role to play in each Avengers film. (Thor also makes an appearance in the Doctor Strange post-credit scene.) Because of this frequency of appearance, Thor has plenty of chances to wow the audience!
The depths of Chris Hemsworth’s performance also serve to portray Thor in a number of different lights. There are tons of moments that fans feel bad for Thor, but there are also tons of mistakes he makes that make him hate-worthy.
Felt Bad: Destroyed By Grief
After Thor failed to stop Thanos at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, he is hit hard by grief and Thanos-related PTSD. It’s tough to see the extent of his despair in Avengers: Endgame.
While it showed that even gods could be demolished by the severity of their actions, it didn’t make the moments any less empathetic. How could anyone not feel bad for Thor upon seeing him so disheveled?
Hated: Fighting Cap And Tony
Thor’s first encounter with Iron Man and Captain America in The Avengers is quite electrifying. After taking Loki back from the heroes, he becomes engaged in battle with them, which demolishes a forest.
Forget about the “strike to kill” mindset that Thor takes during this battle, he demolishes a forest! That man has no concern for environmental responsibilities (or, as Tony said, lawn maintenance).
Felt Bad: No More Jane
In Avengers: Endgame, Thor seems hit pretty hard by the break-up he experienced with Jane Foster, which came at some point in-between Avengers: Age of Ultron and Thor: Ragnarok. At first, he masks his heartbreak well.
Soon, though, it’s revealed just how much he misses Jane. Fortunately, Natalie Portman is returning for Thor: Love and Thunder, but for now, we’ll just have to miss her like Thor does.
Hated: Catastrophe Comes To Asgard
It seems like Thor is always bringing some element of destruction to Asgard. Whether that’s the threat of the Dark Elves and the Reality Stone in Thor: The Dark World or the eventual destruction of their world at the hands of Hela at the end of Ragnarok, doom follows Thor.
It’s not necessarily his fault and he does his best to protect the people. But imagine being an Asgardian! Who could blame the Asgardians if they became fed up and demanded a new ruler?
Felt Bad: Frigga’s Death
One of the most gutting moments in the MCU is when Frigga is killed during The Dark World. A pure figure, Frigga deserved a lot better.
Thor was obviously very close to her, as well. He’s never quite the same after losing Frigga (and they do get to have a magical moment together in Endgame). After her death, the movie enters into a phase of intense sadness that easily elicits sympathy for Thor.
Hated: Bragging To Thanos
Thor’s quest in Avengers: Infinity War leads him to Stormbreaker, a weapon designed with the intent of killing Thanos. At the end of the film, he has a chance to do exactly that!
Instead, Thor throws Stormbreaker into Thanos’ chest instead of his head because he wanted to brag to the Mad Titan about killing him. This gives Thanos enough time to use the Infinity Gauntlet and deal a loss to Thor. If only he hadn’t acted arrogantly.
Felt Bad: Loss Of Loki
Which time that Thor lost Loki was the toughest to handle? Over the years, Loki has tricked Thor into thinking he was dead multiple times, so it can be hard to feel bad for the God of Thunder when he should sense the pattern at play.
However, the anguish in Thor’s face when Thanos snaps Loki’s neck at the beginning of Infinity War is palpable. He just lost Heimdall, too, so it’s easy to match Thor’s grief in that moment.
Hated: Justice For Loki
Over the films, one could argue that Thor was too lenient on Loki. Despite all the crimes and murders (and near-genocide) that Loki committed in The Avengers, Thor still transports him off Earth.
It’s an understandable decision, but for those who were impacted and harmed by the Battle of New York, it’s cause to hate Thor. It feels like there is no justice for what Loki did and Thor is far too trustworthy of him.
Felt Bad: Nothing Left To Lose
The most pathos-inducing moment of Thor’s entire MCU arc is when he has a heart-to-heart with Rocket on the way to Nidavellir. Rocket tries to give him a pep talk, but Thor can hardly muster the emotional strength to convince Rocket of his motivation.
He opens up to Rocket, saying, “What more could I lose?” in regards to the potential of being unable to kill Thanos. He’s lost both parents, his loves, his friends, his brother, his home, and his people. Everything was taken from Thor. How could anyone feel anything but terrible for him?
Hated: Hubris Over Odin
Many of the moments that conjure feelings of hate for Thor in the MCU come from his first appearance, in Thor. He was an arrogant, entitled fighter who ignored the wisdom of others at the outset of Thor.
By the end, he’s redeemed himself, but it’s still a rocky road. The way he ignores Odin’s commands, puts lives in jeopardy, and then has the gall to insult Odin is enough to warrant the loss of Mjolnir and expulsion from Asgard. Thor was very hateable at the outset of his role in the MCU.
