CHICAGO – The anticipated release of "Kraven the Hunter" has met with mixed to negative reviews, leaving fans and critics scratching their heads about the future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appeared on Wbgr-fm’s “The Morning Mess” on December 12th, explaining the film’s plot and the origin of its main character, Sergei Kravinoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Set against the backdrop of the animal kingdom, the film follows Kravinoff, who, as portrayed by Taylor-Johnson, finds himself endowed with lion-like powers after being mauled and drinking a healing elixir. McDonald noted, “Sergei is mauled by a lion, and through circumstance their blood mixes...” Kraven the Hunter protects the animal kingdom, but his mysterious origin story also complicates the narrative.
The character is raised by his father, Nikolai (Russell Crowe), alongside his half-brother Dmitri (Fred Hechinger). Critics have pointed out the film’s overly ambitious storytelling following the tragic news of their mother’s suicide, and how this shapes the brothers' brutal upbringing. “Nikolai is hard on the boys and decides to take them hunting in Africa,” said one reviewer, emphasizing the father’s imposition of fearlessness onto them.
With its December 13th release, "Kraven the Hunter" boasts not only Taylor-Johnson and Crowe but also Fred Hechinger, Ariana DeBose, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott. Critics have deemed the film's screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway as formulaic and lacking depth, falling victim to narrative clichés common within superhero films.
The film is rated R, but the heightened violence does little to alleviate its shortcomings. “Kraven’s main conflicts with Nikolai lead to overly long scenes of stilted exposition,” noted another critic, painting the action scenes as weightless and uninspired.
With just 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems both fans and regular moviegoers have expressed their fatigue with the recurring themes within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, which some feel lacks the vibrancy associated with the Marvel brand. Reports suggest this film may mark the end of the franchise's string of lackluster releases. According to MovieWeb, "If this is truly the end of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, then so long, SSU. We hardly liked ye."
Many critics argue this downward spiral is symptomatic of Hollywood’s tendency to recycle the same actors across superhero films. With Aaron Taylor-Johnson stepping back once more from his prior roles, the casting choices raise the question: are fresh faces being overlooked? “The same pattern has been observed with actors like Christian Bale, Idris Elba, and others who’ve traversed between Marvel and DC,” said one analysis, critiquing the trend of familiar faces becoming too commonplace.
Some even questioned Taylor-Johnson's casting, feeling it linked him back to his roles as Kick-Ass and Quicksilver, noting, “It doesn’t feel original.” Critics feel this pattern limits opportunities for new talent within the industry, reinforcing stereotypes rather than breaking boundaries.
DeBose, who plays Kraven’s ally Calypso, similarly suffers from the film's weaknesses; her character reportedly lacks meaningful development. Critics noted, “... calling her one-dimensional would be generous,” showcasing how the film’s characters seem flat.
Despite the glaring issues, reviews are not without some praise. Some critics observed Taylor-Johnson's screen presence shines even amid the chaos, with at least something to show for the effort. “Aaron Taylor-Johnson isn’t completely terrible as Kraven... he’s got enough screen presence to where he seems unscathed,” said one review.
Yet, the frustration with the film seems to echo through the reviews, especially when juxtaposed against potential alternatives viewers wish for. “Fresh Faces Can Create Greatness” proposes the importance of new talent taking the reigns, as failures of films generate calls for action from studios. Audiences are eager for original characters, and the disappointment with properties like “Kraven the Hunter” is palpable.
Many believe the unique energy of superhero films could benefit from diversifying the cast, calling for studios to cast newcomers to avoid falling back on past successes. Could it be, as one critic argued, studios might prioritize star power at the risk of audience engagement? “It’s all about hope and taking inspired risks,” they stated, supporting the idea of breathing fresh life back to the genre.
Whether or not "Kraven the Hunter" serves as the finale for Sony's Spider-Man Universe remains to be seen, but the legacy it leaves seems more akin to disappointment than applause. With hopes for original storytelling overshadowed by repetitive casting, audiences are left wondering what could have been—and what the future holds for their favorite web-slinger.
