Wonder Man Review: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Soars in Disney+ Series
“When these stories slow down, trust performance, and center human experience over spectacle, they do more than entertain. They observe, interrogate, and endure. That’s not just good Marvel. That’s cinema.” – Adrian Ruiz [But Why Tho? A Geek Community]
On January 27th, 2026, Wonder Man burst through the silver screen, debuting Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in his first Marvel Cinematic Universe role. Abdul-Mateen, known for portraying characters such as Black Manta in Aquaman and Dr. Manhattan in the Watchmen TV series, is no stranger to comic book adaptations. However, Wonder Man is far from a typical superhero show. It offers a unique commentary on both Hollywood and the life of a struggling actor, drawing viewers in with a beautifully dramatic story while subverting expectations through the fantastical, superpowered events that Marvel is known for.
Creators Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest worked tirelessly to bring the story of Simon Williams to life. And to say the least, they’ve succeeded. Wonder Man currently holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 88% Popcornmeter audience score.
The story follows Simon Williams, a Haitian-American actor living in Los Angeles, whose dream is to land the lead role in a new remake of Wonder Man. Abdul-Mateen, an accredited actor with years of dramatic training—having graduated from both the University of California, Berkeley, and Yale School of Drama—is no stranger to complex roles. Destin Daniel Cretton noted him as an obvious choice due to his versatility and ability to portray layered characters.
“It was really gratifying, and sometimes scary at the same time, to show that vulnerability, to show that anxiety, to show what it looks like to just not be sure of myself at all but still have to proceed, and to have the camera be right here while I’m doing that,” – Yahya Abdul-Mateen [Refinery29]
The cast of Wonder Man is the driving force behind this captivating series. Ben Kingsley reprises his role as Trevor Slattery, last seen in Iron Man 3 as the titular villain “The Mandarin.” Kingsley delivers a stellar performance that perfectly complements Abdul-Mateen’s standout portrayal of Simon. Together, the two actors ground every scene they share with an earnest passion for the craft of acting.
“We got to help create these two characters who are passionate about acting and theater. There’s a lot of people out there striving to be in this business right now—the ones who have three or four lines and are staying up with their partners or friends going back and forth and rehearsing. Ben and I felt protective of the Simons and the Trevors in the community. We have a great mutual respect as actors.” – Yahya Abdul-Mateen II [SuperSphereMag]
Wonder Man explores themes of finding your calling and following your passions, while also touching on deeper subject matter such as self-isolation and how rejection can lead us down dark paths. Though Wonder Man was once considered an obscure Marvel hero, Abdul-Mateen’s powerful performance might just put Simon Williams on the map.
The series consists of eight episodes, each averaging 30 minutes—perfect for an afternoon binge. Wonder Man is out now, streaming on Disney+.
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