Hi all, As an avid MCU fan and magic enthusiast, I love diving deep into the lore and teasing out hidden connections. With the latest addition to the MCU’s magical saga, “Agatha All Along,” I couldn’t help but theorize about one of the most intriguing characters so far: Rio Vidal. She’s been presented as the mysterious “Green Witch,” but I’m convinced there’s much more to her. In fact, based on a lot of details, I believe Rio Vidal is actually Death.
Let me break down why this theory holds water and what makes her character much more complex than she first appears.
1. The Name: “Rio Vidal”
Names carry a lot of weight in the MCU, and Rio Vidal is no exception. Let’s break it down.
- “Vidal” stems from the Spanish “vida,” which means “life.” Pretty ironic for a character I believe to be Death, right? But this irony actually fits the pattern we’ve seen in comic book naming conventions.
- “Rio” means “river,” and rivers are often symbolically tied to life and death in many mythologies. Consider the River Styx in Greek mythology or the Sanzu River in Japanese lore—both rivers are known to separate the living from the dead. So, the combination of “Rio” and “Vidal” can hint at a balance or boundary between life and death.
Interestingly, in the show, her name is only mentioned once when she’s introduced as “Agent Vidal.” Even Agatha doesn’t use her name again, which might suggest it’s a false identity within the fabricated reality. Much like “Agnes” was a cover for Agatha, “Rio Vidal” could be just another disguise. This would align with the idea that her true identity is far more sinister—Death itself.
“The name felt too on-the-nose, too deliberate to just be random,” I thought as I rewatched the first episode.
2. Her Appearance: Gothic Hints of Death
The first time we meet Rio in the real world, Aubrey Plaza’s description of her character as a “warrior witch” dressed all in black gives off a pretty “Death-like” vibe.
She’s decked out in a black hooded scarf, with dark kohl-rimmed eyes, and wields a dagger. To me, this gothic attire closely resembles traditional depictions of the Grim Reaper. Plus, the color black is a strong association with death, mourning, and the afterlife in many cultures.
One of the most telling details comes from a set of Tarot cards released before “Agatha All Along,” which depicted a figure dressed like Rio on the Death card. The card showed a woman in black holding a heart-shaped stone in one hand and the exact same dagger we see in Rio’s confrontation with Agatha. That feels way too specific to ignore.
“Her style’s timeless,” Plaza joked in an interview, but it’s also a dead giveaway, pun intended.
3. Magic & Earth Ties: Death Disguised as Life?
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Rio is an Earth Witch. She can’t be Death, right?” Well, consider this: Earth is closely tied to death in many cultures, symbolizing decay, rot, and burial. Earth Magic, in this sense, could easily be manipulated by a cosmic being like Death to simulate the powers of life.
One moment that supports this theory is when Agatha tells Rio, “You can’t kill me,” and Rio responds, “You can’t kill me.” They’re not just trading insults here; they’re hinting at something deeper—both might be immortal or protected from death in some way. This could mean that Rio’s power is not only magical but cosmic, and Death cannot die by ordinary means.
Additionally, Rio is never explicitly called by her name in Lilia Calderu’s prophecy. Instead, she’s associated with a black heart, furthering the mystery of her true identity.
“If Death was walking among witches, she’d probably know how to blend in. What better disguise than as a ‘Green Witch’ tied to the earth itself?”
4. Death’s Unique Role in the MCU
The MCU has already introduced some powerful cosmic entities like the Celestials and Eternals, so introducing Death in human form wouldn’t be far-fetched. In the comics, Death plays a crucial role, especially in Thanos’ arc where his obsession with her drives his actions. Bringing in Death now could set up future cosmic stories or even link to past events.
It’s also important to consider how the concept of immortality works for witches in the MCU. We’ve seen Agatha, Lilia, and others live for centuries without aging, suggesting they’ve achieved mastery over life and death. But perhaps they’ve done so by making deals with Death herself—Rio Vidal.
There’s precedent in the MCU for making deals with Death to extend life. In the comics, Doctor Strange and The Ancient One strike deals to become ageless, with Death unable to claim them naturally. Could Rio be playing a similar game with the witches of the MCU?
“Death always plays her cards close to the chest, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s been manipulating events from the shadows all along,” I mused while rewatching those eerie tarot scenes.
A Bigger Twist Ahead?
In the end, the theory that Rio Vidal is Death fits a lot of the clues we’ve been given so far. From her name, her appearance, to the way her magic works, there’s a compelling case that she’s more than just a regular witch. While some fans believe she could be Gaea, Morgan le Fay, or even a new character entirely, I think the symbolism around Death is too strong to ignore. So, that’s my theory. What do you think? Could the Green Witch actually be Death in disguise? Or am I just reading too much into these details? Let me know in the comments!