"Kraven the Hunter," the latest release from Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU), is now available for streaming on Netflix, only one month after exiting theaters. This film marks the live-action debut of one of Spider-Man's most notorious foes, Kraven, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. While it's another entry added to Sony's ever-growing list of superhero adaptations, the film has not found favor with critics, hitting rock bottom with a measly 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by J.C. Chandor, known for films like "Triple Frontier," "Kraven the Hunter" takes viewers on the convoluted backstory of Sergei Kravenoff, the character reimagined as not just any hunter but as something of a vigilante conservationist. He grapples with his tumultuous familial ties, particularly with his father, Nikolai (played by Russell Crowe), who is portrayed as a powerful Russian drug lord. This family dynamic adds yet another layer to the film, which has been described as attempting to connect with the audience through personal vendetta.
Yet, for many viewers, the film's execution leaves much to be desired. The movie began with promising action as Kraven infiltrates a Siberian prison to eliminate a mob boss, but quickly deteriorates once it starts retracing the character's origins, highlighting various contrivances such as Kraven's powers derived from both a lion attack and mystical substances supplied by Calypso, his childhood savior played by Ariana DeBose.
Each new installment of the SSU raises questions about the brand's quality. The franchise, which includes previous offerings like "Morbius" and "Venom," has developed its own peculiar reputation. Audiences have begun to anticipate mediocrity—if not outright disappointment—realizing the films serve more as communal watching experiences to mock than to celebrate. And "Kraven the Hunter" follows this tradition, ambitiously seeking to be both action-packed and ridiculous at the same time.
Despite its many flaws, the film does contain elements worthy of attention. Many highlight Crowe's performance which relishes campiness to the extent of humor, thanks to his over-the-top Russian accent. Meanwhile, the film's tone tries to maintain coherence amid tonal shifts, but it struggles to stick the landing, yielding laughs where serious moments might have been intended instead.
With respect to the SSU's positioning, "Kraven the Hunter" secured its release shortly after the less-than-stellar "Venom: The Last Dance," prompting speculation around Sony's capacity to craft a cohesive narrative across its cinematic universe. Unlike successful franchises, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Sony finds itself churning out films within the SSU without substantial interconnected plots compelling enough to draw audiences to the cinema consistently. Now, with Kraven debuting directly on Netflix, one may wonder if the films have finally surrendered to the streaming wars.
This film lacks some of the engaging elements audiences have come to anticipate from superhero films, relying instead on tensions built around familial conflict and revenge, something the viewer might perceive as cliché. While the tragic hero trope feels overused, it gains some merits through characterization, especially considering Fred Hechinger's portrayal of Dmitri, Kraven's half-brother—a potential setup for future narratives engaging the character of Chameleon.
Considerable screen time is devoted to the film's bad guys, including Aleksei Sytsevich, played by Alessandro Nivola, who becomes the classic Spider-Man villain Rhino. While Sytsevich's development sparks anticipation early on, the character may not evolve as expected, leaving viewers questioning the film's handling of antiheroes.
Ironically, the film's inconsistent plot elements and uneven pacing find it situated comfortably between being entertaining and painfully dull. Viewers may find shooting wildly entertaining action sequences, yet they remain few and far between compared to the filler content. This jumble of fast-paced action and poorly executed storylines negatively impacts audience engagement.
Upon its cinematic release, "Kraven the Hunter" served as yet another example of how movies can deeply disappoint, even with recognized talent involved. While performers like Taylor-Johnson and Crowe often shine, the script shackles them with uninspired lines—"My grandmother died, and I never saw her again," being one of the most notorious—and eliminates any chance for the cast to deliver remarkable performances.
Despite these setbacks, within its mess, some redeeming qualities lie for those willing to view the film critically. The unique framing of Kraven as acquiring powers through combat and sacrifice could inspire discussions about the character's traditional comic roots. The villain-centric stories introduce complex moral dilemmas and ambiguities driving Sony's approach to storytelling.
Reviewers have likened "Kraven the Hunter" to being "better than Morbius," highlighting minor improvements and adjustments. At the same time, using the sliding scale of the SSU as the barometer, the film still finds itself lodged firmly within the franchise's historically poor reception.
Conclusion may not be easy, but for those willing to plow through the overstuffed narrative, there’s enough adventure waiting if you don’t take yourself too seriously. With plenty of action set pieces paired with campy humor, it bears reminding oneself to treat it as entertainment, albeit flawed. So if you're curious enough, grab some popcorn and settle down, "Kraven the Hunter" is available for streaming now on Netflix, marking yet another chapter, albeit disappointing, for Sony's Spider-Man Universe.