There’s a lot riding on WandaVision. Not only is the first piece of Marvel content anyone will have seen in over a year (that hasn’t happened since 2008), it’s the first Marvel series on Disney Plus.

Marvel Studios’ WandaVision will blend the style of classic sitcoms with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany)—two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives — begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

The reviews are beginning to trickle in ahead of its premiere on Friday, and they’re glowing.

‘WandaVision’ Is Refreshingly Emotionally Complex

I got to see the first three episodes of #WandaVision and it was everything I hoped it would be: funny, clever, creepy, and above all, sort of tragic.

The reality is: WandaVision is taking the Marvel Cinematic Universe places it has never gone before, and there's no going back. pic.twitter.com/BzNujPcUtP

— Hector Navarro (@Hectorisfunny) January 9, 2021

WandaVision takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame and stars Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany as Vision. Alex Biese, a critic for Asbury Park Press wrote that the series is, “a terrific blend of big strangeness and aching heart.”

Hector Navarro, deputy editor of Nerdist also wrote that the series didn’t disappoint and that it was, “funny, clever, creepy, and above all, sort of tragic.”

It Pays Uncannilly Good Homage To Classic Sitcoms

Three episodes into #WandaVision and I. Am. Hooked. Not only is the series a loving recreation of classic television shows (everything beautiful), but the story is so compelling. Elizabeth Olsen & Paul Bettany are adorable and hilarious. My most anticipated didn't disappoint! pic.twitter.com/jZVE6zIlQB

— Kristen Lopez (@Journeys_Film) January 9, 2021

The series, apparently, jumps around from decade to decade. 1950s scenes dominate the previews. Wanda wars floral aprons, a satin gown and pearls doing housework, while Vision heads off to work. But there are also 1960s hippie threads, 1970s wild colours, frills and hair, and even 1980s aerobics craze– all paying homage to loved sitcoms of every era.

Critic, Hoai-Tran Bui wrote, “The jokes feel at home in the I LOVE LUCY/BEWITCHED-homaging world.” While many observed the show’s sitcom format may take a moment to adjust to, the sitcom form is no less enchanting for those who have watched. Critic, Tania Lamb wrote, “The quirky 30-minute sitcom-style leaves you wanting another episode each time.”

WandaVision – it’s a gas! After screening the first 3 episodes, I’m hooked! Fun, clever, and Marvel-ous, the quirky 30-minute sitcom style leaves you wanting another episode each time.#WandaVision pic.twitter.com/HHuTj93cdf

— Tania Lamb (@LolaLambchops) January 9, 2021

It’s Weird And Mysterious In The Best Way For Marvel

Screened the first three episodes, which are all short but don’t feel that way, and just really enjoyed getting to experience the fun of this unique concept and execution. Marvel should lean into “different” more often. #WandaVision

— Jill Pantozzi (@JillPantozzi) January 9, 2021

“I am FLOORED by the show’s imagination, creativity and risks. Each episode BRILLIANTLY recreates a classic sitcom model, but also feeds into a much larger mystery with HUGE Marvel ramifications. I love this so much!” writes Sean O’Connell of CinemaBlend.

The most consistent praise throughout all the early reviews is how refreshingly different the series is from what we’ve seen in the MCU. SO much that it almost felt risky. “It is so committed to the sitcom structure of storytelling that it feels like a bold risk – but it pays off and builds a mystery,” wrote Brandon Davis.

Perri Nemiroff from Collider also wrote, “It’s different, and it might take a moment to adjust but, thus far, this feels like a creative pivot well worth taking.”

It’s The Character Study Wanda And Vision Deserve

WandaVision’s a slick character study of its lead duo, multiple kinds of television shows, and a large scale MCU story that pulls in enough elements from the legacy comics that almost everyone was a little right in different ways about what’s going on in Westview

— Charles PM (@CharlesPulliam) January 9, 2021

“There is so much heart, fun, mystery, and darkness between #Wanda and #TheVision,” Brandon Davis wrote. Over at USA Today, Alex Biese echoed, “Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany have never been better as these characters and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.”

“After years of Wanda and Vision being flashy supporting characters,” wrote Charles Pulliam from io9 and Collider, “they’re getting the big, flashy exploration of who they are that’s been missing from the MCU.”

The Verdict? It’s Bonkers But It’s Excellently Addictive

There’s a lot to like in #WandaVision, especially Olsen and Bettany’s performances, but what I appreciated the most is the chance to experience a relationship that was mostly developed off-screen between MCU films. Starts streaming on January 15! pic.twitter.com/PX965i6BO2

— Wenlei Ma (@WenleiMa) January 9, 2021

You’d be hard-pressed to find a single early review of WandaVision that isn’t singing each and every one of its strange praises. From the series’ dedication to parodying sitcoms to subversively explore Wanda and Vision as characters, to its stand-out performances, and the slow-burning mystery at its heart— it seems that we’re all in for a trippy treat.

WandaVsion will start streaming week by week on Disney Plus from January 15th.

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Original Marvel series WandaVision now streaming, exclusively on Disney+

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Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian writer, critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club where she gushes about LGBT rep in media with her best friend. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.