The Marvel Cinematic Universe has created numerous iconic superheroes over the past few years. On the other hand, the franchise regularly fails when it comes to convincing opponents. Memorable villains like Thanos are the exception in most MCU films and series. The previous Thor sequels are a sad example of this. Danger, from now on spoilers follow!
Who remembers Malekith, the dark elf played by Christopher Eccleston, who caused mischief in Thor 2: The Dark Kingdom? Not even acting legend Cate Blanchett could do that angry Thor sister Hela make a lasting impression in Thor 3: Day of Decision. The omens for Christian Bale’s godslayer Gorr in Thor 4: Love and Thunder could hardly be more sobering.
Thor 4 surprises with a strong villain: Christian Bale as Gorr the godslayer
The new Marvel blockbuster can score points with this major MCU weakness of all things: In a fantasy adventure that jumps through space in a rather unfocused manner, Bale’s villain turns out to be one of the few constants. No matter how often director Taika Waititi changes his tone: Even he can’t lure the deadly Gorr out of his reserve. Because he moves in his own world.
You can watch the trailer for Thor 4 here:
Thor: Love and Thunder – Trailer (English) HD
This becomes most evident in the final act, when Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his allies lose themselves in Gorr’s shadow realm, which sucks almost all the colors out of the MCU. on one deserted black and white planet fade the glowing superheroes, while the ghostly villain seems like the only character who can truly exist in this alien environment.
Even before that, Gorr takes over the MCU piece by piece with his shadows and strikes down powerful deities. We only see their remains. Inspired by horror characters like Nosferatu and the disturbing aesthetic of an Aphex Twin music video, Bale sends shivers down our spines with his chilling performance. Every close-up guarantees a bit of goosebumps.
Christan Bale’s Thor 4 villain is not only scary but also tragic
However, it’s not just the character’s sinister design that transforms Gorr into a palpable villain. The key to the character’s success is already hidden in the first minutes of the film: In the prologue of Thor 4: Love and Thunder, Gorr drags himself through a bone-dry desert with his daughter. Everything he knows is dying. We see veins pulsing beneath his parched skin.
©Disney
Christian Bale as Gorr in Thor 4: Love and Thunder
He turns to the gods in supplication, but all that comes back is roaring laughter. Out of disappointment and loss a vengeful opponent emerges who doesn’t realize the one-way street he’s maneuvering himself into. Tragic villains have long been a tradition in the MCU. With the exception of Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), however, they were no longer felt as an uncomfortable presence in the film.
Though Thor 4: Love and Thunder takes as fleeting interest in Gorr as any of the story’s other compelling characters, Bale is undeterred by the film’s superficiality. Rather the opposite is the case: With remarkable powers of persuasion Bale brings his villain to life, so that even Thor’s snappy lines, which dominate the rest of the film, bounce off him completely lost.
Christian Bales Gorr doesn’t need Thor 4, but Thor 4 does need Christian Bales Gorr
Apparently no one has informed Bale what film he is in. And as a director, Waititi doesn’t care either that one of his leading actors is from a another dimension of the Marvel Multiverse stumbles and ends up more or less by accident in the plastic world of Thor 4: Love and Thunder. That sums up the lovelessness of this cobbled together film well.
©Disney
Christian Bale as Gorr in Thor 4: Love and Thunder
Still, each of Bale’s steps carries weight. Where even mega-star Tony Leung Chiu Wai had to surrender powerlessly to the desolate MCU desert in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Bale succeeds in intact and serene wandering through the Thor 4 mayhem. Especially the composure is remarkable when he leaves the battlefield with his head held high after the fight against the MCU.
Bale is doing his thing – unfazed by what this gargantuan franchise might throw at him. He counters the artificiality and fast pace of Thor 4: Love and Thunder with a villain who screams, whispers, gasps, dies. A villain who was definitely there and not just claimed and dragged along for purpose.
Thor 4: Love and Thunder has been running since July 6, 2022 in German cinemas.
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How did you like Christian Bales Gorr in Thor 4?