‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Portrays Estranged Daughters with Justice in the MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) boasts a range of father-daughter dynamics, from Tony Stark and his daughter Morgan to the tumultuous relationship between Gamora and Thanos. However, the film *Captain America: Brave New World* stands out as the first project to profoundly explore the reality of estranged father-daughter relationships.

Warning: Mild spoilers for *Captain America: Brave New World* ahead!

As someone who has been estranged from my only surviving parent for nearly four years, I often find it challenging to see my experience reflected in film and television. Previous MCU portrayals of family estrangement leave much to be desired. Take Hank Pym (played by Michael Douglas) and his estranged daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who reconcile rather quickly by the end of their initial film. The relationship between Thanos (Josh Brolin) and Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) presents an even darker narrative, as Gamora suffers at the hands of a genocidal alien who murdered her family before adopting her. Such stories rarely resonate with those of us navigating complicated family dynamics, as they tend to focus on straightforward reconciliations or portray parents as irredeemably evil characters. In this context, *Captain America: Brave New World* introduces Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), a character who embodies the flawed reality of a typical absent parent, giving more depth to the portrayal of estrangement.

How Captain America: Brave New World Accurately Depicts Family Estrangement

For the first time since *The Incredible Hulk*, Ross is a central figure in *Captain America: Brave New World*, granting audiences insight into his troubled personal life. It is revealed that he remains estranged from his daughter, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), who made the difficult decision to cut ties following his reckless attempts to hunt down and weaponize her ex-boyfriend, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton).Ross’s questionable actions with the Avengers and Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) further complicate matters. Nevertheless, the film humanizes Ross as he grapples with the loss of his daughter’s affection, illustrating his grief and regret over what appears to be a permanent rift.

One poignant scene captures Ross in despair at his late wife Karen’s gravesite, where he opens up about his fears of never being forgiven by Betty. Importantly, *Captain America: Brave New World* refrains from painting Ross as a victim; the film showcases his ethical failings, including a significant scheme that backfires and causes an innocent individual to suffer for his mistakes. In this context, while he mourns his relationship with Betty, viewers cannot help but empathize with her, recognizing that she made the right choice in distancing herself from a father who has not demonstrated meaningful change.

Instead of evoking pity for Ross, his emotional outpouring generates a sense of satisfaction. Although he holds the highest office in the country as President, he cannot escape the repercussions of his parental failures. For those of us who are estranged from our parents, questions often surface about their capacity to care. In this regard, it was refreshing to witness a portrayal suggesting that not even the highest power can compensate for the absence of a meaningful relationship with one’s child.

Will Thaddeus Ross Resonate with Parents, Too?

Another compelling aspect of *Captain America: Brave New World* is its unpredictability. Throughout the film, I anticipated a reunion between Betty and Ross, hoping for a dramatic encounter that would force them to confront their pasts or perhaps even a moment during a cherry blossom visit that would signify healing. Yet, the film challenges these clichés; Ross ultimately grapples with his own humanity and must navigate his demons independently before Betty can even consider re-entering his life.

The narrative makes it clear that it is not a child’s responsibility to mend the relationship with a parent who has failed them nor to respond to a parent’s distress. Instead of the anticipated reunion he desires, Ross’s path toward reconciliation arises only when he has reached absolute rock bottom and is forced to confront the consequences of his actions. This realistic portrayal serves as a stark reminder that for many estranged individuals, it may take profound and life-altering events to prompt their parents toward humility and accountability.

Ultimately, the film underscores that there are opportunities and moments lost irreversibly due to a parent’s inadequacy. As the credits rolled, my response was neither pity nor sympathy for Ross; rather, it was a reflection of a man receiving a second chance defined solely by the terms of his daughter and rooted in the assurance of her safety.

In conclusion, *Captain America: Brave New World* resonated deeply with me as an estranged daughter, illuminating the challenges faced in such relationships while offering a glimmer of hope. While I recognize that many parents may lack the insight to see themselves in Ross’s character, I hope that this film prompts some to reflect on their own actions, considering the potential risks of estrangement and the impossibility of regaining what they have lost.

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