Black Panther Review: 10 Best Moments

7. Erik Defeats T'Challa, Becomes The New King

Black Panther T Challa Killmonger
Marvel Studios

After Killmonger arrives in Wakanda and is brought before T'Challa, he reveals himself to be T'Challa's cousin and immediately challenges him for Wakanda's throne.

An over-eager T'Challa accepts, and the fight kicks off. Even with T'Challa having the clear physical advantage by consuming Wakanda's herbs, he ultimately gets destroyed by Killmonger, who also kills his spiritual advisor Zuri (Forest Whitaker) for good measure, for being somewhat responsible for his father's death.

Killmonger ends the fight by hurling T'Challa over the waterfall to his apparent demise, causing Erik to be crowned the new King of Wakanda.

Thanks to Michael B. Jordan's intense physicality, this is a thrilling fight that benefits from the wealth of character development laid before it, ensuring the audience is uncommonly invested.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.