(Warning: The following article includes spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
In the mid-credits scene, while Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is taking a stroll along the street in New York City, a portal arises that seems to lead to the dark realm where Dormammu was imprisoned in the 2016 film Doctor Strange. Strange is informed by a lady clad in purple (Charlize Theron) that she needs his assistance in rescuing the universe once again. Doctor Strange opens his third eye, and the couple enters this new dimension, where they will most likely embark on a new journey.
Theron makes her first Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the first credit as Clea, who is Dormammu‘s niece and also Strange‘s love interest. Clea and Strange finally vanquish Dormammu in the comics, and Clea and Strange got married. Dormammu was last seen in Doctor Strange when Strange confounded the creature into submission at the film’s conclusion. Meanwhile, it’s somewhat natural that Clea appears after Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), Strange‘s love in all realities, marries at the start of Multiverse of Madness. The film’s closing titles declare that “Doctor Strange Will Return,” and given the mid-credits sequence, it is probable that Clea will be by his side when he comes back.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness wraps up with a funny little joke in the post-credits. Earlier in the film, Strange clashes with a guy from an alternate dimension known as Pizza Poppa (played by Sam Raimi‘s go-to cameo actor, Bruce Campbell), who confronts America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) after she takes a bowl of his street vendor pizza balls (exactly what they sound like). To stop Pizza Poppa, Strange casts a spell on him, spraying mustard in his own face and then leaving the guy to continuously strike himself. On their way out, Strange said that the curse will last three weeks.
In the closing scene of the film, we witness a weary Pizza Poppa continue to stroke himself until the magic eventually wears off. Pizza Poppa beams an excited smile at the camera and declares, “It’s over!” What a great way to conclude a movie! At the very least, Multiverse of Madness wraps up with the film’s true hero, Pizza Poppa, and his personal triumph of no longer needing to punch himself in the face.
