10 Worst Things that Happened to Nebula in MCU

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe bids farewell to its beloved cosmic crew in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, emotions run high in this poignant culmination. Karen Gillan’s Nebula, a standout character, faces the possibility of departing the MCU as her journey reaches a pivotal juncture. From her initial portrayal as a formidable antagonist, Nebula swiftly emerged as one of the most profoundly tragic personas in the MCU, burdened by a harrowing history of anguish and suffering. Despite her resilient triumph over past traumas, there remain indelible scars from certain events that continue to haunt Nebula, forever impacting her existence.

 1.  Thanos Most Likely Killed Nebula’s Family

While not explicitly depicted onscreen, it is highly probable that Nebula’s entire family fell victim to the ruthless hands of Thanos. As the primary antagonist of the Infinity Saga, Thanos left a trail of conquered worlds and decimated populations in his wake, mercilessly eradicating half of their inhabitants. On occasion, he would seize certain children, including Nebula, molding them into merciless assassins akin to himself, following the ruthless act of annihilating their own families.

Nebula’s earliest recollections likely revolve around the grim spectacle of Thanos ruthlessly extinguishing any semblance of her familial ties, before forcibly adopting her into his own twisted fold. Alongside her fellow offspring of Thanos, Nebula grew to despise and dread her father, fully aware of the unfathomable atrocities the Mad Titan was capable of committing.

 2.  Nebula & Gamora Were Forced To Be Rivals

Beneath Nebula’s tough exterior lies a soul that is remarkably sensitive and vulnerable, setting her apart as one of the more complex members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. From an early age, her deepest desire was to have a sister, seeking solace in the hope that Gamora would fulfill that coveted role. Unfortunately, Thanos deliberately sowed seeds of rivalry between his daughters, ensuring that Nebula and Gamora became adversaries instead of allies.

Nebula’s yearning for sisterhood was repeatedly shattered during her formative years, as she found herself incessantly compared to Gamora, only to fall short each time. What initially sparked hope soon transformed into a seething resentment that Nebula harbored for countless years, until the fateful moment when she finally reconciled with her sister, paving the way for long-awaited healing and forgiveness.

 3.  Thanos Tortured & Maimed Nebula For Her Failures

In addition to being compelled into a rivalry with Gamora, Nebula endured severe punishment for her inability to match the exceptional abilities of her sister. Each time Nebula fell short of Gamora’s prowess, Thanos resorted to a cruel practice of replacing portions of her body with cybernetic enhancements, all in a bid to amplify her combat capabilities.

These experiments carried out by Thanos were callous and devoid of empathy, effectively transforming Nebula into more machine than woman. Though his twisted endeavors proved successful in rendering her one of the mightiest members of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Nebula paid a steep price by sacrificing a significant fragment of her humanity. The road to reclaiming that lost essence would span across several years, as she navigated the arduous path of recovery and redemption.

 4.  Nebula & Ronan Were Defeated By The Guardians

During the events depicted in Guardians of the Galaxy, Nebula and Gamora were dispatched to assist Ronan the Accuser in obliterating Xandar. While Gamora chose to break away, Nebula remained steadfastly aligned with Ronan, even aiding him in his treacherous betrayal of Thanos. Unfortunately, their grand scheme was thwarted by the intervention of the Guardians of the Galaxy, compelling Nebula to make a hasty retreat.

The aftermath of these events plunged Nebula into a nomadic existence, spending months in constant evasion, relentlessly pursued by both her vengeful father and the Guardians themselves. Bereft of a place to call home, her decision to align with Ronan had severed the tenuous connections she once had, rendering her utterly alone. In her solitary struggle for survival, Nebula’s path ultimately led her to a fateful encounter with the Sovereign, who apprehended her and handed her over to the Guardians.

 5.  Nebula Was Captured & Belittled By The Guardians

In the opening act of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Sovereign authorities deliver Nebula into the custody of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The team claims to have captured the notorious fugitive, aiming to collect the substantial bounty placed on her head. In a distressing turn of events, the Guardians not only take pleasure in securing her capture but also subject Nebula to belittlement and scorn, compounding her already wounded state.

Although Nebula’s initial encounters with the Guardians were marked by hostility and animosity, a gradual shift occurred as she began to comprehend their perspective. Eventually, she would align herself with their cause, joining forces to safeguard the galaxy. Astoundingly, Nebula’s journey would lead her to assume a leadership role within the ranks of the Guardians of the Galaxy, demonstrating the tremendous personal growth she had achieved since her days as Thanos’s merciless assassin.

 6.  Thanos Killed Gamora Before Nebula Could Save Her

Amidst their tumultuous bond, there was no individual in the vast expanse of the galaxy whom Nebula cherished more than her sister, Gamora. Regrettably, the devastating truth came crashing down upon Nebula during the cataclysmic events of Avengers: Infinity War. She learned that Thanos, in his insidious pursuit of the Soul Stone, had callously sacrificed Gamora’s life, leaving Nebula tormented by the realization that she could do nothing to prevent this irreversible tragedy.

The loss of Gamora remains one of the most poignant deaths in the MCU, casting a somber shadow that endures to this day, especially due to the profound impact it had on those who held her dear. Nebula, notorious for her guarded demeanor, struggled to conceal the depth of her emotions, as the demise of her beloved sister struck at the very core of her being, leaving an indelible mark that she couldn’t help but display.

 7.  Thanos Succeeded In His Quest For The Infinity Gauntlet

In the aftermath of his unforgivable act, Thanos succeeded in attaining all six Infinity Stones, completing the dreaded Infinity Gauntlet. Engaging in a relentless clash with the valiant Avengers, he eventually unleashed the cataclysmic power of the snap, vanquishing half of all life in the universe. This sinister triumph marked the culmination of Thanos’s lifelong pursuit, fulfilling the very purpose that had consumed him.

For Nebula, Thanos’s victory materialized as the ultimate nightmare. Helplessly, she bore witness to her abusive father’s ascent, as he obtained everything he had ever coveted. In a cruel twist of fate, the decimation of existence also claimed the lives of every Guardian, except for Rocket Raccoon, further plunging Nebula into a desolate state of isolation, bereft of trusted companions and companionship once more.

 8.  Nebula Failed To Get Revenge On Thanos

Nebula’s lifelong pursuit revolved around a single purpose: locating and eliminating Thanos, avenging the agonizing years of torment he inflicted upon her. Yet, it was not Nebula who ultimately brought an end to Thanos’s existence. Instead, she found herself compelled to bear witness as Thor struck the decisive blow that ended the Mad Titan’s life, and again when an alternate-reality version of Thanos met his demise at the hands of Tony Stark.

The eradication of Thanos by the Avengers shattered Nebula’s entire raison d’être, leaving her without a defined mission. However, she managed to channel her energy towards a different path, choosing to aid refugees on Knowhere, embracing a newfound purpose of assisting others rather than seeking personal retribution. Still, Nebula couldn’t help but wonder if she would have found solace in being the one to exact the final blow upon Thanos, potentially granting her a greater sense of peace in the depths of the night.

 9.  Nebula Was Forced To Kill An Alternate Version Of Herself

A surge of anguish and torment overwhelmed Nebula when she confronted an alternate-timeline version of herself from the year 2014, resurrecting the harrowing memories of her existence as a daughter under the oppressive reign of Thanos. This alternate Nebula remained gripped by paralyzing fear, unable to muster the strength to rebel against their shared tormentor, ultimately necessitating the Earth-616 Nebula’s intervention to eliminate her and safeguard the Avengers.

Taking the life of someone bearing her own visage must have inflicted a profound trauma upon Nebula, especially considering the stark realization that she could have easily followed a similar path. However, Nebula’s act of extinguishing not only the physical embodiment of her past self but also symbolically shattered the chains of Thanos’s influence, emancipating herself and embarking on the transformative journey of embracing her own identity at long last.

 10.  Nebula Watched The Other Guardians Leave

The Guardians of the Galaxy represented the sole semblance of true family that Nebula had ever known, offering her an opportunity for redemption and a renewed sense of purpose. However, the events unfolding in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 compelled several members of the team to venture down their individual paths, leaving behind a select few on Knowhere.

Nebula stood witness as the bonds of the only family she had ever experienced began to loosen, as each Guardian embarked on their personal journeys of self-discovery. While this moment of separation was an essential part of their individual growth, it evoked a bittersweet sentiment within Nebula. Nonetheless, she had advanced to a point where she could accept the departures of her fellow Guardians with equanimity, knowing that the life she had forged for herself on Knowhere would sustain her and bring fulfillment.