How Shira Haas rescued Marvel's 'Brave New World' 

In a movie plagued by mixed reviews and controversy, Israeli actress Shira Haas emerges as the unexpected bright spot in Marvel's latest offering, "Captain America: Brave New World." While the film battles its way to a $100 million opening weekend despite a troubling B-minus CinemaScore (the MCU's lowest ever), Haas's portrayal of Ruth Bat-Seraph/Sabra provides a much-needed spark in an otherwise overstuffed narrative.

The diminutive powerhouse, best known for her breakout role in "Shtisel" and Emmy-nominated turn in "Unorthodox," brings her signature intensity to the role of Ruth Bat-Seraph. Despite pre-release rumors that the character's Israeli identity would be watered down due to political considerations, Haas's Sabra remains proudly and unambiguously Israeli, punching well above her weight in the film's numerous action sequences.

The movie itself struggles under the weight of too many moving parts - a common complaint in recent Marvel offerings. As Forbes contributor Erik Kain notes, the plot is "constantly tripping all over itself," juggling multiple villains including Harrison Ford's President Ross (who transforms into the much-marketed Red Hulk), Giancarlo Esposito's Seth Voelker, and Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns.

But amid this narrative chaos, Haas provides a grounding presence. Her scenes offer welcome respite from what Kain describes as a plot that keeps "coming at you like Red Hulk... running and leaping and charging right at us the whole time." The Israeli actress brings the same magnetic screen presence that made her an international star, making every moment count despite the film's breakneck pace.

Anthony Mackie's debut as the new Captain America has faced its own challenges, including an unfortunate backlash from certain corners of the internet. However, his chemistry with Haas in their shared scenes helps elevate both performances. While Mackie navigates the weight of taking over such an iconic role, Haas's Sabra provides a fresh energy that helps modernize the franchise.

In a film that cost $300 million to make and market worldwide, it's telling that some of its most effective moments come from Haas's relatively smaller but impactful scenes. Her portrayal of Ruth Bat-Seraph manages to honor the character's comic book origins while bringing something entirely new to the MCU - no small feat in a franchise's fourth installment.

The movie may be receiving mixed reviews (sitting at a mediocre 50% on Rotten Tomatoes), but Haas's performance suggests that Marvel might have found its next breakout character. In a cinematic universe desperately seeking new direction, the diminutive Israeli actress proves that sometimes the biggest impact comes in surprisingly small packages.

Frankly, in a movie that sometimes feels like it's trying to be everything to everyone - political thriller, action spectacle, and superhero drama - Haas's focused, fierce performance reminds us what made Marvel great in the first place: compelling characters we actually care about.

Jpost, New York Times and Forbes contributed to this article.

To read more about Shira Haas, and her role as Ruth Bat Seraph in a Brave New World:

https://www.jfeed.com/jewish-world/sgo4lp

https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/shira-haas-marvel-protests