Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness was very different from any other Marvel movies audiences had seen to date. To some, it looked more like a horror movie than a superhero movie, which makes sense since Sam Raimi was the director and is better known for his horror movies. Doctor Strange 2 amped up the creepy factor by giving the eponymous hero a third eye on his forehead at the end of the film. It seems like he got into some serious magic when he took it upon himself to handle things in the Mystic Arts that he shouldn’t have when he battled the Scarlet Witch.
There has only been one other character in Marvel Comics who has ever possessed the Third Eye. Sinister Strange was able to gain the Eye after using his universe’s Darkhold to dream to alternate realities and kill its variants. Doctor Strange’s third eye wasn’t an invention they came up with in the second film, but actually existed first in the comics, proving how important this is to Stephen. Here’s everything fans of the Marvel Universe need to know about Strange’s third eye.
What does the third eye mean in Doctor Strange 2?
In the film, the Strange with the third eye is actually an evil variant of Doctor Strange. This version of Strange lives in a collapsing universe corrupted by the Darkhold. The Strange of our world and Sinister Strange battle for access to the Darkhold. According to legend, anyone who reads the Darkhold is corrupted by its power. The direct explains that the whole movie showed how Wanda was influenced by the book, so fans are waiting to see what will happen to Strange. He tells Wong that he feels fine, but when he leaves the Sanctum, it is clear that the Darkhold has done something to him, as he becomes disoriented and in pain.
Strange looks up during the final scene and the audience sees that he has a third eye. Unfortunately, no explanation is given in the film as to what this third eye means, as it ends abruptly afterwards. It’s natural for fans to assume he’s corrupted in some way since Wanda fell prey to the Darkhold. It also seems safe to say that Strange’s third eye is a manifestation of the Darkhold. In the comic books, the third eye is not seen as something directly related to being evil or making Strange mad.
What does the third eye mean in Marvel Comics?
In the comics, the third eye is actually the manifestation of Agamotto’s eye, which has been seen in the MCU before. In the first Doctor Strange movie, the Eye of Agamotto is what holds the Time Stone, which is destroyed by Thanos along with the Eye. Strange fixed the eye in the movie and usually wears it as an amulet. From time to time, the Eye can be seen as a manifestation on Strange’s forehead that gives him special powers.
The third eye of Doctor Strange (Agamotto’s eye) in the comics, according to Rush, represents the wisdom of the wizard Agamotto and his Vishanti. With the eye, he can see the true intentions of his enemies and break all magical illusions. The third eye was originally seen as a higher level of consciousness and could only be possessed by those who are incorruptible. In the MCU, it looks like they’ve decided to go completely in the opposite direction from the comics since the third eye didn’t appear until after Strange used the Darkhold.
Is Doctor Strange Evil Now?
From what viewers could tell, it appears that Doctor Strange is in control of his third eye during the post-credits scene where Clea made her debut. However, this could all be set up for a final reveal that shows Strange has gone bad. In previous Marvel films, Stephen has proven to be reckless with his boundless power, while also being crucial to saving the Multiverse. Evil Strange is seen throughout the comics and a recurring theme in the MCU, so the third eye could be a hint to his evil future.
The Darkhold has been destroyed, making Strange less likely to turn evil. However, Strange didn’t need a book to make reckless decisions since he does this all the time in the MCU, like giving Thanos the Time Stone. During the day Doctor Strange 2, Other way around explains that it’s clear there are evil versions of Strange in the Multiverse, so Earth-616’s Strange may not have a clear future. The third eye doesn’t necessarily prove that Strange switched sides, but with Avengers: Secret Wars soon, this could be exactly where Marvel is headed.
Could Agatha: Coven of Chaos explain the third eye?
Agatha: Covenant of Chaos is the next MCU stage that may explain the significance or potential of Strange’s third eye. The show will no doubt touch on the effects of using the Darkhold, which was introduced by Agatha Harkness in WandaVision. This doesn’t necessarily mean Strange will even be mentioned in the show, but it will bring new magic users to the Marvel Universe. Coven of Chaos at best will show another magic-user infected by the Darkhold like Strange, foreshadowing his fate in the MCU.