Life After Violence in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

February 18, 2023 | By Karis Ryu YDS’23

Like many superhero fans, I bounded over to the nearest movie theater within a week of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s release in November. A film of pain, hope, and power, I appreciated its muted volume, both auditory and visual, and how Ryan Coogler’s vision clearly included space for grief, both on and off screen. Grief and rage are integral to the story’s central message of healing and renewal: for Shuri, Wakanda, and the world they live in.