In the years since Avengers: Infinity War first hit theaters, audiences have picked apart every character decision with a fine-toothed comb — and few debates have remained as persistent as the one around Thor. Even now, seven years later, it’s baffling to see how many criticisms continue to target the God of Thunder’s actions in the acclaimed Marvel movie. Rewatching the film today, it’s clearer than ever that the very beginning of Infinity War does more than enough to justify Thor’s journey, and it’s a little shocking that people still overlook it.
Avengers: Infinity War had the almost impossible task of balancing dozens of major Marvel heroes, all while building up Thanos as the true “big bad” of the MCU timeline. Every character — from Iron Man and Doctor Strange to Star-Lord and Scarlet Witch — was thrust into a situation where losing wasn’t just possible, it was inevitable. Thor, fresh off the end of Thor: Ragnarok, found himself in one of the most brutal emotional positions. He had lost his father, his hammer, and his kingdom.
Thor’s Actions In Avengers: Infinity War Have Seen Divided Response In The Years Since Its Release
Thor Has Been Blamed For Not Joining The Avengers Until Too Late
Among the many conversations surrounding Infinity War, one that remains surprisingly common is the criticism that Thor acted selfishly. Some argue that Thor prioritized personal revenge over strategy, or that he should have coordinated more closely with the Avengers instead of embarking on a side quest to forge Stormbreaker. A major talking point is the idea that Thor was wrong to try to handle Thanos “alone” (and subsequently Rocket and Groot) rather than sticking with Earth’s heroes.
Others have suggested that by the time he arrived in Wakanda, it was too late for his new weapon to make a difference, and that he should have been there earlier. Add in the infamous moment when Thor buries Stormbreaker into Thanos’ chest but doesn’t immediately go for a kill sH๏τ to the head, and it’s easy to see how criticisms piled up. Yet framing Thor’s story this way not only ignores the trauma he endures at the start of the movie but also underestimates how hopeless the situation already was.
The Start Of Avengers: Infinity War Justifies Thor’s Choices In The Movie More Than One Way
Thor Saw Hulk And Loki Be Defeated
The first ten minutes of Infinity War completely reframe Thor’s actions for the rest of the film. On the Asgardian ship, Thor witnesses something few other Avengers ever directly experience: total, undeniable defeat. Hulk, one of the most physically powerful beings in the MCU, is beaten quickly and effortlessly by Thanos — no Infinity Stones required. Loki, who had survived countless ᴅᴇᴀᴅly situations, is killed in front of Thor’s eyes without any ceremony or hope of reversal.
Thor isn’t just fighting to stop Thanos. He’s fighting to survive a level of cosmic brutality that Earth’s heroes hadn’t even begun to imagine. After seeing the Hulk get demolished and watching his brother die, Thor reasonably concludes that brute force alone won’t cut it. If the strongest Avenger and a literal god of mischief couldn’t stop Thanos together, how could a team-up with Captain America and Black Widow possibly succeed?
It’s entirely logical that Thor seeks something greater — a weapon capable of shifting the balance. His decision to journey with Rocket and Groot to Nidavellir wasn’t about abandoning his teammates. It was about finding a way to make sure they even stood a chance. Beyond strategy, there’s the emotional factor. Thor has already lost so much. He doesn’t just want to win — he wants to avoid watching more people he loves get slaughtered in front of him. His choice isn’t about selfishness; it’s about trying to prevent further sacrifice.
Thanos’ Snap Puts Every Hero In Avengers: Infinity War Under The Spotlight
One of the reasons Thor’s choices continue to be scrutinized is simple: the Snap. Had the Avengers won, or had the battle played out differently, no one would still be dissecting whether Thor took the right path. Yet because Thanos succeeds in wiping out half of all life, every mistake, hesitation, or strategy feels magnified.
This scrutiny isn’t limited to Thor, either. Star-Lord faces endless backlash for punching Thanos and accidentally breaking Mantis’ hold over him. Doctor Strange’s decision to give up the Time Stone remains a point of contention. Even Bruce Banner’s inability to summon the Hulk draws criticism. In a story where the stakes are ultimate failure, every character’s actions are viewed through the lens of “what if they had done it differently?”
It’s also important to remember that Thor does make a mᴀssive impact in the Battle of Wakanda. His arrival with Stormbreaker is one of the most triumphant moments in Infinity War — it’s one of the few times the heroes actually manage to turn the tide. That he didn’t “aim for the head” is tragic, but it’s not a failure of judgment; it’s a reminder of how overwhelming grief, anger, and exhaustion can still haunt even the strongest warriors at the most crucial moments.
If Infinity War proves anything, it’s that blaming individual heroes misses the larger point: even gods are fallible. Thor’s journey isn’t a selfish detour. It’s one of the Avengers: Infinity War’s most heartbreaking reflections on loss, resilience, and the desperate hope that somehow, this time, things will turn out differently.
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