Madame Web: Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Film Receives Scathing Reviews
Sony’s latest installment in the Spider-Man Universe, Madame Web, has been met with harsh criticism from critics, who have not held back in their scathing reviews. Starring Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney, the film’s premise and acting have been heavily criticized, leading to a string of one-star reviews.
Based on the popular Marvel Comics, Madame Web revolves around a paramedic with arachnid-based psychic powers. However, the film has failed to impress both critics and audiences alike. Last year, the trailer went viral for its “laughably unsure tone,” setting the stage for the disappointment that would follow.
In a scathing one-star review, Benjamin Lee of The Guardian described the film as “dumb and schlocky,” comparing it to the worst of its genre. Lee criticized the film’s lackluster special effects, unengaging action sequences, and unfunny dialogue. Variety’s Peter Debruge also expressed his disappointment, stating that the film felt “superfluous” in a world already saturated with arachnid-related superheroes. Debruge further criticized the title character, stating that Madame Web had “ill-defined powers and nothing especially interesting to do.”
Madame Web’s portrayal in the Marvel comics is that of an elderly blind woman with psychic abilities who assists Spider-Man. However, in the film adaptation, played by Dakota Johnson, Madame Web is presented as an athletic Gen X ambulance driver. This departure from the original character did not sit well with critics. Rolling Stone even went so far as to compare the film to the widely panned 2019 adaptation of Cats, calling it “the Cats of superhero movies.”
David Fear of Rolling Stone did not hold back in his scathing review, stating that Madame Web was “so much worse” than what had been anticipated. Fear expressed a desire for the film to be a distant memory, writing, “You look forward to a future in which this film’s end credits are in your rearview mirror and gone from your memory.” The Hollywood Reporter also criticized the film, categorizing it as another example of studios hyping up minor characters without delivering a satisfying end product.
Opinions on the acting in Madame Web were divided among critics. While The Guardian dismissed Dakota Johnson as ill-fitting for the lead role, IndieWire praised her efforts in trying to salvage a poorly written superhero film. David Ehrlich of IndieWire commended Johnson’s natural talent and honesty as an actress but acknowledged that even her skills couldn’t save the film from its own shortcomings.
Madame Web is not the first Sony superhero film to receive negative reviews. The 2022 film Morbius, centered around a living vampire, was also heavily criticized. With the massive success of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, which broke box office records with $1.2 billion in global ticket sales, many superhero films have struggled to replicate that level of success. Recent releases such as The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have all underperformed at the box office in 2023.
In conclusion, Madame Web has been met with scathing reviews, with critics highlighting its weak premise, lackluster acting, and unimpressive execution. Despite the popularity of the Marvel Comics and the Spider-Man Universe, this latest installment has failed to live up to expectations. With a string of underperforming superhero films in recent years, it remains to be seen if studios can recapture the magic that made Avengers: Endgame a box office phenomenon.
