realitywarping

Reality warping, sometimes written as realitywarping, is a fictional ability by which a character can alter the fabric of reality itself, redefining physical laws, space and time, and the rules governing matter and energy. By contrast with illusion or mind control, reality warping changes objective reality and can produce effects that persist independently of observers. In fiction, the scope ranges from localized changes to universal-scale alterations, and the exact mechanisms depend on the work's magic system, pseudo-science, or cosmic mechanics.

Realizations of reality warping vary, with power drawn from will, magic, psionics, or advanced technology; control may be absolute or bounded by limits such as the wielder’s strength, the target’s resistance, or the stability of the universe. Some depictions create pocket dimensions or alternate timelines, while others rewrite causality or probabilities, effectively changing what is possible in a given setting.

Notable examples appear across media, including Wanda Maximoff’s reality manipulation in Marvel Comics and its adaptations, Franklin Richards as a consumer of reality-warping power, Doctor Strange’s magical reality bending, and related cosmic entities.

Ethical and narrative considerations include potential unintended consequences, the fragility of perceived reality, and the need for limits to preserve tension. In analysis, reality warping is used as a plot device to explore themes of control, responsibility, and the nature of existence within speculative fiction.