Deadpool & Wolverine criticized as demonic by two girls who urge public not to watch it

Deadpool & Wolverine, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was released on July 26, 2024. The film integrates Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he's apprehended by the Time Variance Authority on orders of Paradox.

The film has received backlash from a pair of Christian fundamentalist influencers, who posted a video asking their followers not to watch the movie.

Despite having watched the prior two Deadpool movies, these influencers considered the third movie to be especially sacrilegious in terms of its irreverence for Christian iconography.

They were also disapproving because they believed the film used Jesus's name in vain, as Deadpool repeatedly refers to himself as "Marvel Jesus" throughout the movie. They also expressed discomfort by what they alleged was Satanic and demonic imagery in the film.

The reaction of these influencers has been reposted and gone viral on X on August 7, with many expressing bafflement as to why these girls would be watching a Deadpool movie to begin with, and criticizing them for their supposedly shallow and surface-level understanding of Marvel Comics.

Even other Christians responded negatively to the video, with one saying:

"I believe in Christ. However, "overeligious" people are just so unavoidable. They act like crucifixion is always about Jesus. Like, bruh?"

And another responding:

"I am a Christian as well…totally understand what you mean. I mean look at the Bolton House sigil in Game Of Thrones… it was a common form of medieval torture"

One user, however, did point out that crucifixion is best-remembered for its association with Jesus's execution:

"Christ defines the cross. He's the only reason it has any remote cultural significance beyond being a first-century history fun fact."

"...If it's not Jesus dying on the cross, it's not culturally symbolic even remotely. Therefore the cross is only remotely relevant because of Christ's sacrifice imputing relevance onto it."

One of the popular responses to the video criticized its rambling nature:

"These girls literally say literally way too much."

With another tweet replying in agreement:

"And yet…nothing at all at the same time"

All in all, the influencers who criticized Deadpool & Wolverine from their Christian fundamentalist perspective haven't received the warmest reception online.

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Deadpool & Wolverine has been a critical and commercial success

Despite certain critiques of Deadpool & Wolverine going viral, the film has been a box-office success, grossing over $900 million. The film has also been well-received critically, with a 78% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus there reads:

"Ryan Reynolds makes himself at home in the MCU with acerbic wit while Hugh Jackman provides an Adamantium backbone to proceedings in Deadpool & Wolverine, an irreverent romp with a surprising soft spot for a bygone era of superhero movies."

CNN's Brian Lowry complimented the film's self-deprecating nature, Empire's Olly Richards applauded Deadpool & Wolverine's willingness to cater to newcomers unfamiliar with the Marvel mythos, and IGN's Tom Jorgensen praised superhero-themed take on the buddy-cop archetype.

However, the film has also received criticisms. Robbie Collins of The Daily Telegraph disapproved of what he believed to be an inconsequential plot, and San Francisco Chronicle's Mick LaSalle believed that the film ultimately had nothing to say.

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Deadpool & Wolverine was released exclusively in theaters on July 26, 2024.