Sony’s Spider-verse is getting bigger with Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web joining the lineup. She’s the newest addition to Sony’s superhero movies. The character made her first appearance in a Marvel comic in 1980.
The movie introduces this clairvoyant heroine, including three important Marvel characters. The film tells the story of Cassandra Webb, who works as a paramedic in Manhattan.
It explores her potential clairvoyant abilities and her connection with three young women facing tough challenges. It marks the fourth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe lineup, following Venom, its sequel Let There Be Carnage, and Morbius.
Madame Web premiered at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles on February 12, 2024. It’s set to hit theaters across the United States on February 14, featuring formats like IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX. Recently, the movie almost became Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’s most embarrassing record.
Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web Almost Became Spider-Verse‘s Most Potential Embarrassment
Dakota Johnson‘s Madame Web movie stirred up early buzz online. Despite fan excitement, its Rotten Tomatoes rating is one of the lowest in the Spider-Man Universe. Marvel’s newest movie is getting bad reviews from critics and has a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Madame Web currently has a 18% critical rating but it dropped to 16% a few hours ago. This puts it below 2018’s Venom, which has a 30% rating, but above 2022’s Morbius, which has a 15% rating. Although it came close to being a significant source of embarrassment for the franchise, it narrowly escaped that fate.
Rotten Tomatoes scores for Sony's Spider-Man universe 🟢 pic.twitter.com/F8QWnpZNv6
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) February 13, 2024
However, if more negative reviews come in, Madame Web could end up with a lower score, possibly falling below the 15% mark. And it appears to have happened, as a few hours ago, Rotten Tomatoes scores Madame Web and Morbius shared the same score of 15%.
‘MADAME WEB’ and ‘MORBIUS’ now have the same score on Rotten Tomatoes 🍅
Read our review: https://t.co/0s4GgNpbAa pic.twitter.com/Sl4pfG4rin
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) February 13, 2024
Per Screen Rant, based on its initial scores, Madame Web probably won’t be considered one of the best superhero movies of the year, despite having a promising cast of characters.
Critics Slam Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web with SSU in Dire Straits
Critics liked Madame Web‘s action scenes, but they didn’t like the story or some of the acting, especially Dakota Johnson’s performance as the main character.
Daily Beast‘s Nick Schager noted, “On the basis of Madame Web, however, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is now completely lifeless—and in no need of resuscitation.” Rolling Stone‘s Top Critic David Fear said that Madame Web is like the “Cats: The Movie” version of superhero movies. Another Top Critic, Variety‘s Peter Debruge review wrote:
“In the end, Madame Web feels like a cross between an extended soda commercial and a teaser trailer for still more spinoffs. ‘Whatever the future holds, we’ll be ready,’ Cassie promises. But you don’t have to be a soothsayer to see this particular franchise is D.O.A. — or a snob to expect better.”
Audiences generally like the SSU movies, but critics aren’t fans of the franchise. Despite bad reviews, Sony Pictures has two more chances to turn things around in 2024—a new Venom movie (coming out in November 2024), and Kraven the Hunter (scheduled for August 2024 release).
Madame Web is set to release in theatres on 16th February.
