Sony's Spider-Man Universe fails once again with 'Kraven the Hunter'
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Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) expansion began with Venom in 2018. Venom and its subsequent trilogy became the most successful films of SSU, but its movies featuring other Spider-Man villains found only backlash and no success.
Sony has struggled to replicate Venom's magic in its subsequent spinoff ventures, such as Morbius, Madame Web, and now Kraven the Hunter.
These films, devoid of Spider-Man's presence for legal reasons, seem lost in their web, relying on secondary characters who often fail to hold up their expectations.
With Kraven the Hunter, Sony attempts to reimagine Sergei Kravinoff, one of Spider-Man's most intriguing villains, as an anti-hero.
The film leans into darker themes with an R-rating, displaying blood-soaked action and a gritty atmosphere. Yet, despite these ambitions, Kraven fails because of a confusing plot, sub-par performances, and poorly developed characters.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Sergei, a Russian big game hunter turned vigilante with animalistic abilities. The film introduces Sergei's backstory, including his tumultuous relationship with his tyrant father, Nicolai (Russell Crowe), and his bond with his younger brother Dmitri (Fred Hechinger).
A lion attack during a hunting trip alters Sergei's physiology and sets him on a path of vengeance against his father and the criminal empire he leads.
In this adaptation, Kraven is portrayed as a conservationist who rejects animal cruelty while directing his predatory instincts towards human foes.
Alongside Sergei, the film brings in Calypso (Ariana DeBose), a mysterious figure with a deep connection to Sergei's past, and Aleksei Sytsevich, better known as the Rhino (Alessandro Nivola).
These characters have the potential to be explored as other Spider-Man supervillains, but poor writing results in poor character development.
Kraven the Hunter tries to honour its comic book roots but fails to create a coherent storyline. The central conflict of this film is full of too many subplots and forgettable villains.
Kraven's gory hunts are full of urgency and chaos, but he lacks the emotions to make him memorable for fans. As the film progresses, a question remains: Will Sergei's relentless pursuit of vengeance bring him redemption, or will he succumb to the darkness that defines his prey?
Taylor-Johnson delivers a physically demanding performance, depicting Kraven's feral energy and imposing presence. However, his portrayal lacks the charisma needed to elevate the character from a one-dimensional anti-hero to a compelling protagonist.
Although the CGI in this film is distractingly subpar, the action sequences, particularly the savage hand-to-hand combat, successfully convey Kraven's raw power.
As Sony continues to produce Spider-Man-less spinoffs, one must wonder: Is the studio learning from its mistakes? Kraven the Hunter could have been a bold character study of a complex villain, but instead, it's a cautionary tale of how not to craft a superhero film.
It may be time for Sony to rethink its approach. The success of Venom and the brilliance of its animated Spider-Verse films prove that strong storytelling and character-driven narratives are key. If Sony wants to save its Spider-Man Universe, it must start building its spinoffs with a clear vision rather than hunting for success in the dark.