Sony’s Universe of Spider-Man Characters is struggling. While the cinematic universe is better off than most other attempts at making a connected film franchise, that is only a result of the producers of this universe willing to produce and launch subpar products. With Morbius being as big a flop as it was, fans assumed that the only way for Sony was up. However, that might not be the case after all.
The initial reviews for Madame Web have been made live, and critics are struggling to find positive things to say about the film. Despite having a star-studded cast, it seems that Sony has once again failed to capture the lightning that gave them the Venom IP, as that has proven to be the only profitable character that the network has in its box of Spider-Man characters.
Fans are not happy with Madame Web
Madame Web has followed in on the footsteps of Morbius, to create a film that critics and fans alike have shunned as an abysmal attempt at not just a comic book movie, but a movie by itself. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s screenplay is filled with exposition, is stilted, and seems ‘mechanical’.
X (formerly Twitter) is also rife with comments from those who have seen the film, comparing it to some of the worst cinematic experiences that have existed. One particular comment even says that the film makes Morbius look like The Dark Knight, which is saying something.
Yeah, #MadameWeb is somehow worse than you feared. One of the worst movies ever made, in any genre. Story makes absolutely no sense. The "action" is boring, with barely any cape stuff. Dakota Johnson looks as bored as you'll feel. It makes MORBIUS look like THE DARK KNIGHT. pic.twitter.com/fOA5RQJUey
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) February 13, 2024
One of the main criticisms of the film is that for a superhero film, the movie fails to deliver even the bare minimum. With the amount of negative press that the film has managed to garner, it is without a doubt that the film will be headed towards being a financial dud. It would not be a first for Sony, given that they suffered the same fate with Morbius. It is also possible that Kraven the Hunter might be headed in the same direction, but it is difficult to make a judgment
Madame Web is a step back for comic book films
Madame Web has managed to create a product that would serve as prime fodder for the superhero fatigue narrative in Hollywood. The film is a prime example of the problem that is currently plaguing superhero cinema: there are too many films that are breaking into the superhero genre, without any fixed quality assurance. Studios have been scrambling to capitalize on the superhero genre, and hence going ahead with hastily put together bad products, which not only harms the genre but also the demographics that it wishes to represent.
Madame Web, while being a hit against comic book movies, is also a hit against women in comic book movies, a conversation that has been long derailed into toxicity due to the likes of Captain Marvel and films like Birds of Prey.
