New ‘Doctor Strange’ Opens Doors to Methods, Madness in the Multiverse

Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. Photo courtesy IMDB
Back in November 2016, when I saw the first “Doctor Strange” movie in theaters, my interest in Stephen Strange’s storyline boiled down to two points: my initiation into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and my susceptibility to actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s charms.
It’s been almost six years since “Doctor Strange”premiered. And while the doctor has since made numerous appearances in other MCU films, his fans have been waiting (patiently) for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” which was released in early May.
Given the endless surprises hiding up this story’s sleeves, writing a spoiler-free review is tricky. One review of the movie I read was concerned that viewers would be lost going into the “Multiverse” without having watched the precursory storylines told in “WandaVision,” “Spiderman: No Way Home” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Having watched all three myself, I agree with this critique: Context is key.
“Multiverse” opens with Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) awakening from an intense dream of fighting a demon alongside a young girl — and then getting dressed for his ex-girlfriend’s wedding. (Yes, even a Master of the Mystic Arts can’t foresee why this is never a good idea.)
It’s just after Christine (Strange’s ex, played by Rachel McAdams) asks whether he’s happy, that Strange leaves to do battle with an octopus-like creature in pursuit of the same girl from his dream.
Strange defeats the creature with help from his friend, Sorcerer Supreme Wong, and learns the girl, America Chavez, has the power to travel in the Multiverse.
But as soon as we learn that America can’t control her power, we know it won’t be long before she’ll be hunted down or before Strange himself becomes entangled in the multiverse.
“There are myriad reasons why the Multiverse theory is fascinating to explore: It’s the idea that there’s another universe where we’re the happiest version of ourselves that’s tempting enough to abandon reason in pursuit of that perfect world.”
Writing this review as a Multiverse theory enthusiast, I was intrigued by the film’s interpretation of accessing the Multiverse through dreams, creating this idea that the versions of ourselves we dream about do, in fact, exist other realms.
Not even the most avid MCU fans in my life were prepared for the sinister shifts in character development that we saw in this new Doctor Strange.
I myself was startled by how early in the film certain reveals were delivered, and the brisk pace with which other bombshells were dropped.
Yet the deep dive into the Multiverse’s characters made that speed worthwhile. From an arrogant, self-driven doctor in 2016 to a more humbled practitioner of the mystical arts, Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange appears to have learned the lesson imparted on him six years and several movies ago: That it’s not all about him.
Though “Multiverse” wasn’t my favorite MCU film from the last few years — the bar was set somewhere between “Infinity War” and last year’s “Spiderman” — I’m relieved that Marvel hasn’t lost its capacity for catching viewers off guard between the cameos and cliffhangers.
With Sam Raimi (the celebrated director behind the cult classic horror “The Evil Dead” and the original “Spiderman” trilogy) perched atop the director’s chair, there’s a method to “the Multiverse of Madness” that viewers would be remiss to miss.
At the time of publication of this issue, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” was playing at The Moviehouse in Millerton, N.Y., and the Four Brothers Drive-In Theater in Amenia, N.Y. It is expected to become available for streaming in the next six months.
Built in 1820, 1168 Bangall Amenia Road sold for $875,000 on July 31 with the transfer recorded in August. It has a Millbrook post office and is located in the Webutuck school district.
STANFORD — The Town of Stanford with nine transfers in two months reached a median price in August of $573,000 for single family homes, still below Stanford’s all-time median high in August 2024 of $640,000.
At the beginning of October there is a large inventory of single-family homes listed for sale with only six of the 18 homes listed for below the median price of $573,000 and seven above $1 million.
July transfers
79 Ernest Road — 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 6.87 acres in 2 parcels sold to Matthew C. Marinetti for $1,225,000.
29 Drake Road — 3 bedroom/3.5 bath home on 2 acres sold to Harper Montgomery for $850,000.
6042 Route 82 — 4 bedroom/2 bath home on 1.09 acres sold to Spencer Thompson for $795,000.
125 Tick Tock Way — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath ranch on 1.9 acres sold to Fleur Touchard for $475,000.
August transfers
102 Prospect Hill Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath home on 6.35 acres sold to Karl Creighton Pfister for $565,000.
252 Ernest Road — 2 bedroom/1 bath cottage on .85 acres sold to Meg Bumie for $465,000.
1196 Bangall Amenia Road — 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home on 2.16 acres sold to Roderick Alleyne for $875,000.
Hunns Lake Road (#759929) — 59.1 acres of residential land sold to Argos Farm LLC for $3,325,000.
* Town of Stanford recorded real estate transfers from July 1 to August 31 provided by Dutchess County Real Property Office monthly transfer reports. Details on each property from Dutchess Parcel Access - properties with an # indicate location on Dutchess Parcel Access. Market data from One Key MLS and Infosparks .Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Harlem Valley area activity reportSept. 18 to Sept. 30.
Sept. 23 — Deputies responded to 1542 State Route 292 in the Town of Pawling for the report of a suspicious vehicle at that location. Investigation resulted in the arrest of Sebastian Quiroga, age 26, for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Quiroga to appear in the Town of Pawling court at a later date.
Sept. 30 — Deputies responded to Woodside Street in the Town of Pine Plains for a past-occurred verbal domestic dispute between a stepfather and stepson.Matter resolved without further police intervention.
PLEASE NOTE:All subjects arrested and charged are alleged to have committed the crime and are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are to appear in local courts later.
If you have any information relative to the aforementioned criminal cases, or any other suspected criminal activity please contact the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 845-605-CLUE (2583) or Emaildcsotips@gmail.com.All information will be kept confidential.
Hunt club members and friends gathered near Pugsley Hill at the historic Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia for the opening meet of the 2025-2026 Millbrook Hunt Club season on Saturday, Oct. 4. Foxhunters took off from Wethersfield’s hilltop gardens just after 8 a.m. for a hunting jaunt around Amenia’s countryside.
Joining in the fun at the dedication of the new pollinator pathway garden at The Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4, local expert gardener Maryanne Snow Pitts provides information about a planting to Lorraine Mirabella of Poughkeepsie.
MILLBROOK — Participating in a patchwork of libraries that have planted pollinator pathway gardens to attract insects and birds to their native plantings was one of the accomplishments being celebrated at the dedication of a new pollinator garden at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Oct. 4.
“A lot of work went into it,” said Emma Sweeney, past President of the Millbrook Garden Club, who started the local library’s initiative two years ago.
The Pollinator Pathway program is a national effort to plant native plants that native insects depend upon for sustenance and preferred plants for their own seasonal reproduction.
Jana Hogan of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Executive Director of the Pollinator Pathway program, was on hand to present a plaque to the library for its successful participation.
“A garden is not just a garden,” said garden designer Andy Durbridge of Wassaic, designer of the library’s garden. “It may serve as a model for other gardens along the line.”
Speaking to the 50 visitors at the dedication, Durbridge said that the library’s garden has a mission, that it is a working garden, planned to serve insects and birds over their seasons. The earliest plants support pollinators, while the full range of plants continues to serve the needs of those they attract, offering habitat, shelter and food.
A pollinator garden is akin to a prairie, rather than a formalized European garden, Durbridge noted.
The garden project was supported by the library’s Friends group using funds raised during the Holiday Silent Auction and ongoing book sale. A grant from the Millbrook Garden Club also provided support.