The reviews for Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series, Moon Knight, are now in. So, has Marvel Studios managed to capture the more bizarre aspects of the vigilante, or do audiences have a more middling comic book-inspired effort on their hands? Well, based on this review round-up, Moon Knight is very much the former.

Beginning with James Dyer of Empire Magazine, Moon Knight earns an incredibly exciting 4/5 stars, with the critic praising the series’ unique approach to the expectations set by the comic book genre.

Adam Barnhardt of ComicBook.com echoed many of these sentiments, praising Moon Knight for standing largely separate from the wider world of the MCU. Even arguing that, if you weren’t told, you might not even know that the character inhabits the same realm as Spider-Man and Thor.

“Fresh, funny and occasionally batsh-t, Moon Knight is an MCU departure in both topic and tone, spicing the superhero formula with a cocktail of comedy-horror and a twist of old- school adventure.”

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Much applause has also been aimed at the lead performances by Oscar Isaac as the titular superhero and Ethan Hawke as the villainous cult leader Arthur Harrow. Matt Fowler from IGN found a lot to love in Moon Knight’s intentionally confusing approach to the character’s debut, and could not wait to see more from the duo of Isaac and Hawke.

“Moon Knight doesn’t rely on the connective tissues every other Disney+ Marvel project has to date. In turn, the creatives are allowed to make the show be the best it can be. Fans hoping for a darker series get what they want here, and it’s earnestly one of Marvel’s strongest outings yet — considering both film and television."

Variety’s Daniel D’Addario agrees saying, “Exploring other facets of the universe while trusting audience members not to wonder how it all connects has enabled Marvel to make a series that is finding its way towards a genuinely compelling portrait of dissociation, anchored by two terrific performances. The fact that it can be watched on its own terms is icing on the cake.”

“Will it be a situation like The Long Kiss Goodnight’s Charly Baltimore, where the real answer lies somewhere in the middle of Marc and Steven, or is this so much of a standalone story that Moon Knight himself/itself is the ultimate obstacle? We’re left in the dark here, but in a fascinating way, and with two solid leads infusing confidence in the crucible to come.”

The Hollywood Reporter’s Daniel Fienberg sadly found fault with Moon Knight and its tethered relationship with the MCU, but did commend Oscar Isaac’s commitment.

Rodrigo Perez of The Playlist also found much to criticize in Marvel’s live-action take on Moon Knight believing that, while it “is initially thought-provoking,” the series is “hardly the game changer that many devout fanboys will likely declare it.” Ouch.

“Conceptually, the first season of Moon Knight feels intended less as a TV show and more as an explanation for why viewers would want to watch the character eventually hobnob with Doctor Strange or Blade or whomever. So far, it’s an argument for Oscar Isaac, and not Moon Knight, to join the Avengers.”

Moon Knight Hits Disney+ from March 30

     Marvel Studios

Finally, shifting back to the more glowing praise for the Marvel series, Alex Maidy from JoBlo only had one criticism for Moon Knight – that there isn’t enough of it.

Moon Knight follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and must navigate his complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

“Oscar Isaac is a great addition to this mythos and Ethan Hawke already ranks as one of the best Marvel villains yet. My only complaint is that six episodes are not nearly enough Moon Knight and I already want more."

Moon Knight landed on Disney+ on March 30, 2022.