We love female superheroes. That’s no surprise, and Tessa Thompson is absolutely incredible in Thor: Ragnarok! But did we expect any less from Valkyrie?
Warning: Some soft spoilers ahead as we discuss the nature of Tessa Thompson’s role in Thor: Ragnarok.
Tessa Thompson is brilliant in Thor: Ragnarok. But we all pretty much knew that was coming. In the year of the female superhero, Valkyrie was pretty much set up to be one of the best. Lucky for us all, Tessa was taking on the character.
An alcoholic former Valkyrie from Asgard, Tessa’s Valkyrie finds herself stuck as one of the Grand Master’s lackies. She brings him champions, and in exchange, he gives her money for booze. But she’s a lot more than just her flaws.
Valkyrie drinks because she watched the rest of her sisters (the most powerful warriors in Asgard composed of only women) die at the hands of Thor’s sister, Hela. So she’s hesitant to help Thor because she doesn’t want another family fight to take everything away from her.
But because she’s from Asgard and she’s amazing, she eventually helps. What’s great about Valkyrie isn’t that she’s ready to fight and help. She’s a lot more nuanced than that. Thor has to convince her and Loki has to remind her of the pain.
She has to force her demons in a way that no one else does and it really makes her more interesting to watch on screen. Everyone is fun and powerful, but Valkyrie is more than just her abilities and it is why we love her so much. And it helps that Tessa brings her to life in a way that no one else could.
Next: Thor: Ragnarok is a rollicking good time!
If you haven’t seen Thor: Ragnarok yet, what are you doing? Hopefully, you have plans to see it this weekend. It is amazing and definitely worth every second of your time. If not for the Thor/Hulk buddy cop film that it kind of is, then for Tessa Thompson and her brilliant Valkyrie.