.Audiences are arguing whether Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness should have received a R rating due to its violent and unsettling material. The sequel to Doctor Strange grossed $185 million in its first weekend. Sam Raimi, who previously directed Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man trilogy, is directing this picture. Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Xochitl Gomez, and Chiwetel Ejiofor reprise their roles as the titular sorcerer.
The MPA has classified Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness PG-13 for “strong sequences of violence and action, terrifying visuals, and some language.” The picture has all of the aforementioned characteristics, including multiple violent fatalities. The Doctor Strange sequel also incorporates horror aspects, resulting in a film that is significantly more intense than the MCU has grown to be renowned for, even bordering on body horror territory. Many of these features can make the movie a distressing experience, particularly for younger audiences who may not be aware of how explicit it can be.
Despite mixed reviews, Doctor Strange 2 has a massive box office.
Following the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness over the weekend, many fans took to social media to dispute whether the film deserved a R rating (via IGN). Some viewers said the movie left them mentally disturbed, while others said the brutal violence was an issue. User @NitroSpidey also pointed out that Doctor Strange 2 had a 12A classification in the UK, which is about comparable to a PG-13, but the less violent and unsettling Venom flicks both received a 15 rating, which is roughly equivalent to an R.Viewers on the other hand point to films like The Ring or even Raimi’s own Drag Me to Hell as proof that Doctor Strange 2 is suitable for PG-13 audiences. Take a look at some of the reactions to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on social media: