From Avenger to Villain: How Wanda Became the MCU’s Most Divisive Character

In the vast universe of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters, few have experienced a transformation as profound and haunting as Wanda Maximoff. Once a hero, a loyal Avenger, and a symbol of redemption, Wanda’s descent into darkness and chaos has sparked one of the most intense debates among fans.

Is she a tragic hero or a full-fledged villain?

From her humble beginnings in Avengers: Age of Ultron to her terrifying power unleashed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda’s journey has been one of love, loss, and devastating consequences. But where did the shift truly begin? And more importantly, is there any redemption left for the Scarlet Witch?

The Birth of Wanda Maximoff: A Hero Forged in Tragedy

A Victim of War and Experimentation

Wanda’s story begins not with heroism, but with tragedy. Raised in the war-torn country of Sokovia, she and her twin brother, Pietro Maximoff, suffered unimaginable losses at the hands of global superpowers. The destruction of their home and the death of their parents—caused by a Stark Industries missile—fueled their hatred for Tony Stark and the Avengers.

Seeking revenge, the twins subjected themselves to HYDRA’s experiments, where Wanda’s latent abilities were awakened through exposure to the Mind Stone. This transformation marked her first step toward becoming one of the MCU’s most powerful beings.

From Enemy to Avenger

Initially an antagonist in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wanda quickly realized that Ultron’s plan for humanity’s extinction was far more dangerous than Stark’s past mistakes. This moment of clarity led to her defection to the Avengers, alongside Pietro.

But even as she fought for good, tragedy struck again. Pietro was killed in battle, leaving Wanda alone. This loss cemented a pattern in her life—whenever she found hope, it was ripped away.

Yet, despite her pain, Wanda became an essential part of the Avengers, fighting alongside them in Captain America: Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. But no matter how much she fought for justice, fate always found a way to take something from her.

The Breaking Point: Wanda’s Descent Into Darkness

Losing Vision—A Love Story Doomed to Tragedy

If there was one bright spot in Wanda’s life, it was Vision. Their love was unconventional—an android and a superhuman—but it was real. Wanda had finally found someone who understood her pain, someone who loved her despite the chaos within her.

But, as always, happiness was fleeting.

In Avengers: Infinity War, Wanda was faced with an impossible choice—kill Vision herself to prevent Thanos from obtaining the Mind Stone, or risk losing him to the Mad Titan’s wrath. She chose to end Vision’s life with her own hands, only to watch Thanos reverse time and kill him again.

That moment shattered her. Wanda Maximoff, the woman who had already lost everything, had lost the love of her life twice in one night.

WandaVision: The Creation of Westview and the Birth of the Scarlet Witch

After Thanos’ defeat in Endgame, Wanda was left in a world where everyone had moved on—except her. When she visited S.W.O.R.D.’s facility, she discovered that Vision’s body had been dissected and weaponized. The final insult.

What happened next changed the MCU forever.

Overcome with grief, Wanda unknowingly unleashed her chaos magic, creating the idyllic town of Westview, where she and Vision could live the perfect life that had been stolen from them. But this reality came at a price—she had unknowingly enslaved an entire town, bending their minds to fit her fantasy.

For the first time, Wanda was no longer just a victim of tragedy—she was the cause of it.

Despite her actions, fans sympathized with her grief. Was she truly a villain, or simply a woman desperately trying to hold onto the only happiness she had ever known?

The truth came when Agatha Harkness revealed Wanda’s true nature—she wasn’t just a powerful sorceress; she was the prophesied Scarlet Witch.

This was no longer about grief—this was destiny.

The Scarlet Witch Unleashed: The Rise of a Villain?

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: A Terrifying Evolution

By the time we see Wanda again in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she has fully embraced her Scarlet Witch identity. No longer the grieving hero, she is now something far more dangerous and terrifying.

Driven by the Darkhold, Wanda becomes an unstoppable force, willing to kill anyone who stands in her way. Her goal? To find a universe where she can be with her children, Billy and Tommy, no matter the cost.

• She slaughters the Illuminati—heroes who, in any other timeline, would be seen as Earth’s protectors.
• She mercilessly hunts America Chavez, a young girl whose only crime was having a power Wanda desired.
• She destroys entire realities, proving that her power is not only unmatched but terrifyingly unpredictable.

For the first time, Wanda is undeniably a villain. And yet, her motives remain deeply human. She isn’t seeking power for power’s sake—she’s seeking love, family, and the life she never got to have.

A Tragic End—Or a New Beginning?

In the film’s climax, Wanda sees the horror in her own reflection—when she finally meets another universe’s Billy and Tommy, they are terrified of her. In that moment, she realizes she has become the monster she always feared.

With a final act of sacrifice, she destroys Mount Wundagore, burying herself and the Darkhold.

But is Wanda Maximoff truly dead? Or is this just another chapter in her ever-twisting fate?

The Legacy of Wanda Maximoff: Hero, Villain, or Something Else?

Wanda Maximoff’s journey is one of the most complex and divisive in the MCU. She has been a hero, a villain, a victim, and a force of unimaginable power.

Is Wanda Truly Beyond Redemption?

Marvel is known for resurrecting characters, and Wanda’s fate remains uncertain. But even if she returns, the question remains—can she ever be a hero again?

Some believe she has done too much to ever return to the Avengers. Others argue that her actions, while horrific, were fueled by grief and corruption from the Darkhold—meaning she could still be saved.

One thing is certain: The MCU has never seen a character like Wanda Maximoff before.

• She is not simply a hero.
• She is not merely a villain.
• She is something far more compelling—a myth, a legend, and a cautionary tale about the price of power and pain.

With rumors of her return and whispers of a greater destiny, fans are left with one lingering, chilling question:

If Wanda Maximoff is still alive… what happens when she returns?

One thing is for sure—the Marvel Universe will never be the same again.