When it comes to deception, Loki, the Asgardian God of Mischief, stands out as one of history’s most skilled deceivers. Over millennia, he has deceived gods, humans, and countless beings he encountered. Yet, his deception extends beyond the living—he has repeatedly cheated death itself.
In this article, we explore Loki’s history in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, detailing each instance where he evaded death. Let’s begin.
1. Loki’s First Brush with Death: Infancy
Source: Disney Hotstar
Loki wasn’t originally part of the Asgardian family but was taken in by Odin as a baby. His real father abandoned him in a temple shortly after his birth, assuming he wouldn’t survive. But it’s Loki we’re talking about; he wouldn’t die easily. After Asgard emerged victorious in the war against Jotunheim, Odin discovered the infant and magically altered his appearance to resemble an Asgardian. He then raised Loki alongside his elder son, Thor, as his own.
While Odin bringing Loki under his wing initially appeared altruistic, it was later disclosed that Odin did so strategically to foster peace among the nine realms. This revelation profoundly affected Loki, leading him to harbor resentment towards everyone except his adoptive mother. Perhaps this resentment initially drove Loki towards villainy, yet upon discovering Odin’s paternal affection, he underwent a visible change of heart.
2. Loki’s Deception in Thor (2011)
Source: Disney Hotstar
In the original Thor movie, we met Thor, one of the most powerful Avengers in the MCU, along with Loki. It marked Loki’s first voluntary escape from death. During the film, as Loki confronts Laufey to protect Odin, Thor attempts to persuade him that wiping out an entire species isn’t the solution to their father’s actions. However, Loki remains resolute in seeking revenge against Odin and refuses to relent. Ultimately, Thor shatters the rainbow bridge, knowing it means he can never see Jane again.
The bridge breaks. Thor and Loki teeter over a wormhole. Odin swoops in, rescuing his sons. Loki, laden with guilt, tries explaining, seeking Odin’s pride. But Odin’s disappointment is palpable. Heartbroken, Loki releases his grip, plummeting into the abyss.
Surviving the fall, Loki finds himself at the Sanctuary, encountering the Mad Titan. Thanos proposes dominion over Earth in exchange for the Tesseract’s retrieval—a task aided by a scepter housing the Mind Stone. Yet, Loki’s ambitions are thwarted by the Avengers, returning him to Asgard.
3. Loki Evades Death in Thor: The Dark World
Source: Disney Hotstar
As Malekith and the Dark Elves invade Asgard, killing Firgga, Thor frees Loki from his cell to aid their escape through a secret portal. However, this deception fails as Malekith’s forces quickly catch up. In a bid to buy Thor time to destroy the Aether, Loki feigns allegiance, but his ruse falls flat.
Malekith’s guard, Kurse, attacks Thor, overpowering him while Loki escapes the Elves. Witnessing Thor’s struggle, Loki intervenes, attempting to stab Kurse, but fails as Kurse retaliates, stabbing Loki instead. In a final act, Loki triggers a bomb on Kurse’s belt, killing the monster before succumbing in Thor’s arms.
Though emotionally impactful, it’s revealed later in the movie that Loki feigned his death and returned to Asgard. He deceived Odin by assuming his form through magic, seizing the throne.
4. Loki’s Fate in Infinity War: A Deceptive Demise?
Source: Disney Hotstar
Recall Infinity War’s start: Asgardians flee Ragnarok on a ship. Thanos boards, Loki unleashes Hulk. Plan fails; Loki pretends loyalty to Thanos, attempts to stab. Thanos overpowers, stops, snaps Loki’s neck, killing him.
Despite our belief that Loki couldn’t escape death, his purpose persisted. In Avengers Endgame, during a heist for the Infinity Stones, Tony Stark drops the Tesseract near Loki, enabling his escape. This event sparks the Disney+ Loki series, resurrecting him. While not a direct evasion of death, Loki remains alive in the MCU post-mortem, making it noteworthy. His adventures extend into Loki Season 2.
5. Loki Survives Doom at Lamentis-1
Source: Disney Hotstar
In Loki Season 1, Loki discovers that his time-hopping variant, Sylvie, seeks refuge in apocalypses. He aids the TVA in pursuing her and tracks her to the TVA. Following a significant struggle, Loki inadvertently transports them to the dying planet Lamentis-1. Despite their efforts to flee, they ultimately concede, engaging in a conversation about their past.
This conversation forges an unlikely connection between Loki and Sylvie, triggering a massive nexus event promptly detected by the TVA. Upon the imminent collapse of the Moon of Lamentis-1 into the planet, the TVA intervenes, capturing Loki and Sylvie just moments before their demise. Although Loki is apprehended, he manages to evade death once again. Feeling a bit fuzzy on the events of Loki Season 1? Be sure to check out our season 1 Recap to refresh your memory before delving into season 2!
With the release of Loki Season 2 imminent, we anticipate witnessing the God of Mischief evade death once more. Excited for the second season of Loki? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
