Marvel Studios has introduced some of the most iconic villains in cinematic history. From Thanos‘ genocidal quest in the Infinity Saga to Ultron, these antagonists have often rained fire on our beloved heroes.
However, ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ has introduced a villain unlike any the Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen before, Muse. Let’s take a look into what makes the Muse so unhinged and at the same time great.
Muse Is A Straight-Up Serial Killer Without Any Ulterior Motive
In its latest episode of ‘Born Again‘ the series presents the Muse, who operates on a far smaller yet more terrifying scale. Unlike traditional MCU villains who seek power, domination, or ideological change, Muse is a pure serial killer. His violence is not part of a grand scheme; it’s an end in itself. This stark departure from the MCU’s usual villainous archetypes makes Muse one of the most disturbing and unpredictable threats.
Muse stands apart from previous MCU villains because he does not have world-altering ambitions. He isn’t looking to overthrow governments, eradicate half of life, or impose his ideology on others. Instead, he is driven purely by his own twisted, uncontrollable urges. His violence is irrational and impulsive. This makes him even more dangerous than many of the MCU’s most infamous antagonists.
One of the most terrifying aspects of Muse is his complete disregard for logic or self-preservation. When he attacks two unsuspecting women in an episode, he isn’t doing so to further some larger plan; he is simply giving in to his desires. The need to paint his grotesque murals using human blood only adds to the horror of his character.
Unlike figures such as Wilson Fisk, who rationalize their criminal actions with justifications of power, survival, or revenge, Muse has no such rationale. He kills because he wants to. This level of brutality is something rarely seen in the MCU. While characters like Ultron or Thanos have certainly engaged in mass murder, their actions have always been tied to broader motives.
Muse Challenges Daredevil In A Way No Antagonist Has Terrorized Heroes In The MCU
Muse’s introduction marks a shift in how villains can be portrayed in the MCU. Unlike traditional supervillains, he does not fit into the mold of an enemy with an elaborate master plan. Instead, he functions more like the serial killers we fear in real life. This makes him an even more terrifying presence.
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His actions in ‘Born Again’s latest episode are particularly gruesome. The sight of bodies strung up on chains and the way he relishes in his acts of cruelty bring a sense of true horror to the MCU. When he injects Hector’s niece, Angela Del Toro, there is a moment where we see the sheer joy he takes in inflicting pain. Unlike other villains who use violence as a means to an end, Muse’s violence is purely for gratification.
This character also challenges Matt Murdock in ways we haven’t seen before. In previous ‘Daredevil’ storylines, Matt has fought criminals who, despite their brutality, operate within some form of structure or moral code. Muse, however, represents pure chaos. Matt is forced to don the suit again, breaking his self-imposed rule of staying out of the shadows.
But his fight against Muse also introduces an interesting contradiction. Matt takes the law into his own hands to stop a madman who is doing the very same thing. Muse is not a character who can be reasoned with or turned from his path. Unlike Fisk or even Bullseye, he cannot be contained by the system. His very existence forces Matt to confront whether his brand of justice is enough to stop someone who doesn’t play by any rules.
