Summary
Kraven the Hunteris the last comic book movie of the year and the third film out of Sony’s Spider-Man extended universe in 2024. Unfortunately, the first reactions to the new Marvel film suggest it’s going out with a whimper, rather than a bang.
If recent reports are anything to go by, the next film inSony’s Spider-Man franchise may be the last. The movie stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the famedSpider-Manvillain in an origin story that explains how Kraven became the infamous hunter he is known as in the comics. Alongside Taylor-Johnson in the cast are Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, and Fred Hechinger.Kraven the Hunterhas long been in the works and suffered multiple delays, but it will finally be released on December 12.
What Are Critics Saying About Kraven the Hunter?
The review embargo forKraven the Hunterhas only just lifted and the members of the press who have had the chance to see the film have shared their reactions. The initial reviewspaint a grim picture of the movie, with criticisms aimed at lackluster CGI, poorly written dialogue, and a bad story. TheRotten Tomatoes scorefor the movie is still being finalized, but at the time of writing, it sits under 20%. That Hashtag Show’s Junior Felix pointed out Taylor-Johnson was a highlight, but added that ultimately “these characters deserved better.”
Screen Rant’s Liam Crowley shared a similar sentiment sayingKraven the Hunteris betterthan many other Sony Spider-Man Universe films, but ultimately “doesn’t have the sauce.” Discussing Film’s Andrew J. Salazar said Kraven “was probably a solid action movie at one point, but the usual Sony antics are all here,” and added that the film wasn’t worth the price of admission.
Some of the full reviews ofKraven the Hunterhave further elaborated on the film’s misfires, including its tonal mismatch and overly long runtime.Polygon’sreview states the film is “a largely joyless affair, and [J.C.] Chandor can’t seem to decide on a dramatic or comedic tone, let alone a blend of the two.“The Hollywood Reporter’sDavid Rooney wrote “Overlong and punctuated by anticlimactic kills of one bad guy after another, this looks to follow other entries in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe likeMorbiusandMadame Webto an early grave.”
Reviews Suggest Kraven the Hunter Might Be The Death of the Sony Spider-Man Universe
Naturally, film reviews are subjective and should be taken with a grain of salt, but if these early indications are anything to go by,Kraven the Huntercould be another loss for Sony’s Spider-Man universe. The franchise opened withMadame Webearlier this year, which flopped at the box office and scored only 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some faith was regained inVenom: The Last Dance, the final film in Tom Hardy’sVenomtrilogy, which scored well enough at the box office to become the ninth-highest-grossing film of the year, although it did not review positively with critics, earning only 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. The review scores forKraven the Hunterare yet to be revealed and there’s still room for it to surprise at the box office, but if these reactions are to be believed, it won’t be easy.
