Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan find that every time they use their powers at once, they swap places. They team up against a Kree leader who drains other worlds of air and water. Watch how the film turns a gimmick into action and builds each alien planet as its own set.
The Marvels is a 2023 science fiction, action and adventure film directed by Nia DaCosta. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (1 editing, 2 narrative and 1 sound), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, Aliens uses several of the same techniques.
Building an action sequence as a chain where each solution creates a new problem. The layout of the space stays clear, so the escalation follows its own logic.
How this film uses it
The three heroes swap places whenever their powers fire at the same moment, so each fight has a built-in twist. Every move changes where someone stands, and the next move has to deal with that. After the first trailer, one critic said the place-switching fights could be the most inventive in the Marvel films.
Where to see it
Kamala's house: The three swap places and fight Kree forces together, and Kamala's home is destroyed.
Building a fictional world with its own consistent rules, history, culture and visual detail. It feels like the world keeps going beyond what you see on screen.
How this film uses it
Aladna is a water planet with its own customs, and each planet in the film was designed to look distinct. The production built 54 sets, including five planets, at Pinewood and Longcross Studios. The worlds feel lived in even when you only visit them briefly.
Where to see it
Aladna: The Marvels travel to the water planet to warn Prince Yan. Dar-Benn arrives and drains the planet's water.
Using a song or music contest to show who a character is or what they stand for. The music works as argument, duel or revelation.
How this film uses it
On Aladna, people communicate through song. The heroes get pulled into this and have to sing their way through a conversation. It sounds odd at first, and then it becomes a warm, funny way to show how different this world is.
Where to see it
Arrival on Aladna: The Marvels meet Prince Yan on a planet where people talk by singing.
Putting women at the center as leads, leaders and villains, and letting their choices drive every major plot turn. The story treats this as normal and never makes their gender the subject.
How this film uses it
The heroes are three women, and so is the villain. Their choices drive every big turn, and the story never makes their gender the point. Kamala even names the team herself.
Where to see it
Tarnax peace talks: The talks collapse and Dar-Benn opens another jump point. Kamala names the team the Marvels.
Questions
The Marvels: quick answers
What filmmaking techniques does The Marvels use?
CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in The Marvels (2023): Kinetic Set Piece Architecture, Secondary World Construction, Song as Character Expression and Female Agency as Structural Default.
Who directed The Marvels?
Nia DaCosta directed The Marvels, released in 2023. CineCode also covers 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026).
What films are similar to The Marvels?
Films that share techniques with The Marvels include Aliens (1986), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), Howl's Moving Castle (2004).
