Marvel Studios’Moon Knightis the latest series in the MCU to release on Disney Plus, one that looks like it will take the shared cinematic universe to exciting and unique places. A big reason for that comes down to the show’s exploration of mental illness, a story element that star Oscar Isaac calls a ‘celebration of the human mind.’
After his role in 2016’sX-Men: Apocalypse, Isaac returns to the superhero genre in hisMCUdebut as Marc Spector, a Jewish-American mercenary with dissociative identity disorder (DID). His character eventually becomes a conduit for the Egyptian moon god, Khonshu.The multiple identities of Moon Knightfight for control of his body amid a war against the backdrop of modern and Ancient Egypt.
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In a new interview with Esquire, one where the actor looked back at many of his iconic roles, Isaac also spoke highly ofMoon Knightdelving deeper into the topic of mental illness, and seeing as how comic book films are dominating the industry today, the Marvel Studios series is the perfect way to create more conversations regarding the wide range of conditions. “It’s a celebration of the power of the human mind,” Isaac said. “It’s basically saying, we have a superpower, and it’s the human brain, particularly for those who deal with trauma and sustained abuse. There’s this thing that the brain can do to allow them to survive.”
Isaac would continue, sharing that series has made people feel known. “My uncle suffered with mental-health issues,” Isaac added. “He started crying watching an episode ofMoon Knightbecause, I think, it just felt like being seen. There was something there that felt like an acknowledgment of the pain and what people do with pain, and the forgiveness, of how you forgive yourself, and how to come to terms with the child within you.”
The grounded element and the way the series' main protagonist deals with this mental condition is perhaps one of the big reasonswhy Isaac signed on to joinMoon Knightin the first place, as the actor was eager to find something that felt like a character study. From the first positive reviews, it appears thatMoon Knighthas succeeded in telling a fresh story that feels much different from what has been presented in past MCU projects.
Created byThe Umbrella Academy’s Jeremy Slater,Moon Knightwill consist of six 40 to 50-minute episodes, with Mohamed Diab directing four episodes and duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead directing the other two. The series will also starEthan Hawke as Arthur Harrow, the series' main antagonist, Gaspard Ulliel as Anton Mogart/Midnight Man, May Calamawy as Layla El-Faouly, and Lucy Thackeray as Donna. The series will run until May 4th, with an episode premiering every Wednesday.
