6. “Eat My Hammer!”
Thor: Love And Thunder (2022)
For many, Thor: Love and Thunder marked a clear point of decline for the MCU, particularly in relation to its use of humor. The film’s excessive silliness was considered grating by many, who found its levity to be overbearing in a story that deserved to be much more emotionally demanding. It’s during the film’s climactic battle scene that this comes to a head, though, with a particularly powerful moment marred by a piece of tone-deaf writing.
After a running joke involving Jane Foster attempting to come up with a catchphrase, the hero is forced to return to Earth to recuperate from her cancer. Knowing that Thor needs her help, Jane returns to him, even knowing it will cost her her life. In her final moments, Jane faces down Gorr the God Butcher, and screams “EAT MY HAMMER!” as she lunges at him. It’s a throwback to her laughable attempts at a catchphrase at an emotionally-charged moment, making the whole scene feel surreal and strangely uncomfortable.