Fantastic Four Test Screening Reveals Cosmic Horror Vibes and a Terrifying Galactus
It’s time to hold onto your seats. Marvel's Fantastic Four just had a surprise test screening, and according to multiple insiders — and some attendees who shared their impressions firsthand — things are getting very interesting in the MCU.
First things first: rumors about a post-credit scene? Forget them. Sources who attended the screening confirmed that no such scene was shown. So, if you've heard leaks about post-credit reveals for the movie, you can go ahead and ignore those for now.
Terrifying Galactus Steals the Show
The biggest takeaway from the screening? Ralph Ineson’s Galactus. Viewers called the cosmic villain “terrifying,” with one attendee saying he felt like he was “ripped straight out of the comics.” The visual design of Galactus was met with near-universal praise, a massive win for fans hoping Marvel would finally do justice to the Devourer of Worlds.
Perhaps even more intriguing is the film’s tone. Described as “Lovecraftian” and leaning heavily into cosmic horror, *Fantastic Four* seems to be embracing the weird side of Marvel lore. Think less traditional superhero fare, and more creeping dread, space madness, and the kind of metaphysical tension that would make even Doctor Strange nervous.
Character Development and Powers: A Mixed Bag
Despite the positive feedback on Galactus and the tone, a few negatives were noted. Several attendees felt that character development was lacking across the board. Specifically, Reed Richards' powers were reportedly underwhelming, and Ben Grimm (The Thing) was barely utilized throughout the film. For longtime fans of Marvel’s First Family, these criticisms could be a red flag — or simply an early-cut issue that may be resolved before final release.
General Reaction: Mostly Positive
Overall, though, the feedback was more positive than negative. While early screenings are never the final word, this one shows that Marvel may finally be doing right by its foundational franchise. As always, it’s best to form your own opinion — but if this test screening is anything to go by, there’s reason to be optimistic.
Runtime and Direction for the MCU
According to AMC listings, Fantastic Four: First Steps clocks in at 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it the longest MCU film since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Runtime alone doesn’t mean much, but if the story can hold the audience’s attention, it’ll feel like time well spent — as one viewer put it, “time gets stuck in a bottle.”
In an interview with Empire Magazine, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige emphasized the significance of this film, calling it “Marvel’s first family” and noting that the project will help “launch the MCU into a new era.” He added, “I really wanted to do them justice.” That statement carries weight — and with the multiverse storyline winding down, Marvel may be pivoting toward more grounded (yet still cosmic) storytelling.
With a terrifying Galactus, a bold new horror-inspired tone, and the weight of the MCU’s future on its shoulders, Fantastic Four might just be the shake-up Marvel needs. Here’s hoping the final cut brings the same cosmic energy — with a little more character development sprinkled in.