Marvel’s mishandling of its Blade reboot will likely go down as one of the studio’s biggest mistakes. There was a great actor in place to play the vampire hunter (Mahershala Ali), and a promising director set to take over the reins (Bassam Tariq). In retrospect, though, the disappointing demise of Blade might not be such a bad thing, because Tariq and Ali have collaborated on something much more interesting than a superhero reboot: the powerful hitman thriller Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. That was one of five movies I was able to cram into a very hectic third day at the Toronto International Film Festival (you can see my previous re … Read the full story at The Verge.

The article suggests that Marvel’s Blade reboot was a colossal flop, thanks to mismanagement despite having a stellar cast and director. Mahershala Ali was the perfect choice for Blade, and Bassam Tariq was poised to deliver a fresh, exciting take. Yet, the Blade film stumbled, possibly because the magic of Ali and Tariq was better showcased in “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” a hitman thriller that stole the spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival. This comparison implies that Blade’s failure was a small price to pay for the gem that emerged from the same creative duo.

But let’s roast the article a bit: Was Blade really a disaster? While it may not have reached the heights of Marvel’s flagship titles, it still grossed over $200 million worldwide, proving that audiences were still willing to bite. And what’s so great about “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”? It’s a solid film, no doubt, but calling it a powerhouse hit at TIFF is a stretch—many films at TIFF get lost in the shuffle, and this one just happened to catch the critic’s eye on that particular day.

Moreover, the article assumes that Mahershala Ali was the only reason Blade could have succeeded. While Ali brought depth and charisma, the script and execution also played crucial roles. If the story and direction didn’t align with his vision, even the best actor couldn’t save it. Similarly, Tariq and Ali’s collaboration suggests they work well together, but does that automatically mean every project they touch will be a hit? Perhaps “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” was simply a lucky fit.

Lastly, the article’s excitement about “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” might be a bit premature. While it was indeed a highlight at TIFF, it may not resonate as broadly once the festival buzz fades. Marvel fans might still be reeling from Blade’s perceived missteps, and a hitman thriller, no matter how good, might not fully erase that memory. So, will “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” truly make us forget Blade’s disaster, or will it just be a pleasant detour on the Marvel highway? Only time will tell, but it’s a tasty bite indeed.