The following contains spoilers for Episodes 1 and 2 of Moon Knight, now on Disney+.
Moon Knight has two episodes out now, and fans are beginning to wonder if Khonshu is a benevolent god or could he be one of the villains of the show. While fans haven’t seen much of the Egyptian diety yet, what they have seen shows the god as intimidating, powerful and relentless. While it’s true the Khonshu brought Marc back to life, it’s unclear if it was to help Marc or to enslave him. Fans are eager to see more of Khonshu and Moon Knight’s relationship as the show evolves and expands. It may become more clear if Khonshu is friend or foe as time goes on.
In the comics, Khonshu is the god that has resurrected Marc and uses him as his avatar for justice. Moon Knight is also known as the fist of Khonshu and doles out his justice wherever he goes. While the show has remained faithful to this so far, it seems like Khonshu may be more villainous than benevolent. Marc apparently hates Khonshu and sees being Moon Knight as a punishment. Marc also appears to loath himself and everything involved with his alter ego, while Khonshu seems to have a vested interest in keeping Marc firmly under his thumb.
Fans want to believe Khonshu is a good god and that he is looking out for Steven/Marc’s best interests, but much of the evidence contradicts that. He seems only concerned with the mission and completing it, regardless of who is hurt. Steven is genuinely terrified at what is going on around him, and Khonshu only serves to make that worse. Instead of easing him into the life that surrounds him, Khonshu continues to bully and intimidate him. This only worsens Steven’s mental health and makes him more resistant to giving Marc, and by extension Khonshu, control.
Looking at the situation from Marc’s perspective is no better. Marc seems utterly miserable and beaten down. He is angry at the world, including Khonshu, who appears to be blackmailing Marc into continuing as the god’s avatar. He threatens Marc’s wife by telling Marc that if he doesn’t serve him, then he will force her to become his avatar. Serving Khonshu clearly makes both Marc and Steven absolutely miserable and puts them through intense psychological trauma. Yet, Khonshu remains unmoved and continues to demand they serve him, willingly or not.
Khonshu seeks justice, but the show makes it very clear that he cannot do that without an avatar. At one point the wind picks up, and Arthur Harrow tells Steven not to worry because that’s all he can do without his avatar. This may explain why Khonshu is torturing Marc into remaining his avatar. He wants to continue his mission, and if Marc leaves him or refuses to act, then his whole mission comes to a standstill. As much as Khonshu may not want to admit it, he needs Marc and Steven. He doesn’t care what he has to do to keep them in line — he will ruin their lives if it means his mission on Earth is carried out.
So far, Khonshu is a relatively mysterious character in Moon Knight. Fans have been given a few glimpses of the deity and his power, but viewers are nervous that he isn’t going to be a friend to the heroes. Khonshu doesn’t seem to care if he ruins Marc and Steven’s lives in the process of his quest. Only time will tell if Khonshu is working on a righteous mission, or if he isn’t any better than the other villains on the show.
Moon Knight is now streaming on Disney+.
