MCU: 10 Real World Issues Addressed In Marvel Films

Many people forget how truly disturbing Age of Ultron was, for all that it carried on Joss Whedon's tradition of having its characters quip at each other every other minute. It was almost like a horror movie in some instances, most prominently when Scarlet Witch began to directly attack the Avengers's fears and traumas, unwittingly facilitating an even bigger threat in Ultron.

It is, in fact, Iron Man's own (warranted) paranoia that leads to Ultron's creation in the first place. The fear Iron Man retains from his experience in the first Avengers film manifests in the desperate need to prepare for all possible outcomes, which - based on what happened in both this film and in Captain America: The Winter Soldier - can lead to disaster.

Flashbacks to Black Widow's past, as well as Thor's visions of death and Cap's nightmares of his loss, remind the audience just how dark these heroes's lives have been and will be.

Above all, however - Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's trauma from Stark weapons, and their distrust and fear of others, is what leads them to volunteer for HYDRA's experiments.