The following contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, now in theaters.
When Sam Raimi directed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, fans finally witnessed the Marvel Cinematic Universe delve into some horror elements. Nevertheless, given the picture's success, it went over well with the studio's fanbase, which may have inspired Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to dive into similar aspects by including Rocket's backstory and the High Evolutionary.
Despite hinting at Rocket's origins in the first film, the narrative never fully divulges the graphic nature of how the furry mercenary was "made" until now, and it's unsettling to watch. As moviegoers observe Rocket's story unfold in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, they are greeted with the same gory and disturbing imagery found in Multiverse of Madness, which positions the new theatrical release as the MCU's second cinematic flirtation with the genre.
How Multiverse of Madness and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Venture Into Horror
Multiverse of Madness stepped into the realm of horror with the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). She shows how terrifyingly destructive her powers are in a similar light to any of Raimi's other scary monsters. For example, Wanda skulks and disturbingly contorts her body through any reflection while killing anyone who gets in her way at Kamar-Taj. Likewise, once America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) escape into the multiverse, Wanda pursues them. Viewers see the extent of Wanda's abilities as she dream-walks into universe 838 and obliterates the Illuminati to get another chance with her children. And she's a frightening force to behold while tearing through them. In short, Wanda's actions were debatably some of the MCU's most creepy and graphic villainous exploits thus far. She gave the movie some of its best and most thrilling scenes, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's High Evolutionary is a strong competitor.
The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) seeks to create a perfect utopian society in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 by genetically modifying lower life forms and starting a new species. Through his pursuits, moviegoers learn that he not only made Rocket (Bradley Cooper) but many other creatures as well. Rocket's origins introduce his former companions, an augmented menagerie consisting of Lylla the otter, Teefs the walrus, and Floor the rabbit (Linda Cardellini, Asim Chaudhry and Mikaela Hoover). Their addition illustrates Rocket's horrific construction, especially since the raccoon's design is tenably more elegant than his compatriots.
Additionally, despite referring to the unfortunate creatures as failures, once the High Evolutionary discovers that Rocket's intelligence is the missing link to help his experiments succeed, he attempts to harvest his brain and dispose of the rest. Although the flashback depicts how Rocket escapes his clutches, the situation places him in his creator's path again. This leads the Guardians to the High Evolutionary's base of operations, another Earth inhabited by anthropomorphized animals that were genetically altered, and his newest creations, a species of humanoid children.
Rocket Raccoon's Story Is the Embodiment of Horror
Intense imagery aside, there are also psychological characteristics to consider when engaging with the movie's use of horror. After all, before the High Evolutionary's experiments, Rocket and his comrades were simple animals. It's hair-raising to watch a lifeform be ripped away from their understanding of the world and have everything that makes them what they are transformed by incorporating a higher level of sentience. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does precisely that through Rocket's experiences and those of his friends and capitalizes on it with the film's events.
While other plot threads run through Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Rocket's backstory is easily the most shocking and memorable. As the character once said, he "didn't ask to get made" or "torn apart and put back together" repeatedly, and the film discloses the monstrous details in vivid, agonizing specifics. By leaning heavily into the raccoon's grisly past and unearthing the events that he and his animal friends endured, all for the sake of one man's vision of evolutionary advancement, the movie further explores the MCU's tour into employing characteristics of the horror genre. Although this venture arguably started with Wanda Maximoff in Multiverse of Madness, Marvel's current theatrical release certainly ups the ante.
To see the MCU's next horrific installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now playing in theaters.