Madame Web is a 2024 movie based on the Marvel character of the same name, who is a psychic ally of Spider-Man. The movie stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who develops the ability to see the future after a near-death experience. She must protect three teenage girls who are destined to kill a powerful villain, Ezekiel Sims, played by Tahar Rahim. The movie also features Emma Roberts as Jessica Drew, a former agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who helps Cassie in her mission.
The movie has received mostly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its clunky script, lack of charm, thin world-building, and dated style. Some critics also found the movie to be a cheap cash-grab that failed to capture the essence of the Spider-Man universe. However, some critics praised Johnson’s performance, which they found to be humorous and wry, and the potential of the movie to explore niche genre stories. The movie has been compared to Venom and Morbius, two other Spider-Man spin-offs that have received mixed reactions from fans and critics.
Here are some excerpts from the reviews:
- “Madame Web has a clunky script and lacks charm, with awkward dialogue and underdeveloped characters. The movie wants to be a Spider-Man film but falls short due to its thin world-building and strange relationship to Peter Parker. Despite some stylistic elements in its filmmaking, Madame Web is ultimately boring, unimaginative, and dated.”
- “Madame Web further illustrates that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has potential when not trying to be a modern cinematic universe at all, and instead being a springboard for the most niche genre stories imaginable.”
- “The good news is Madame Web is not the worst Spider-Man spinoff. (That would be Morbius.)”
The first reactions to Madame Web are in – and they’re not all that positive.
The film is the next installment in Sony‘s Spider-Man universe, starring Dakota Johnson as the titular Cassandra Webb, while Isabela Merced, Sydney Sweeney, and Celeste O’Connor co-star.
“#MadameWeb is an embarrassing mess. Talented stars wasted on probably the worst comic book movie I have ever seen. Filled with atrocious dialogue, awkward editing, & all around laughable structure. I sat there baffled scene by scene someone approved this. The memes will redeem it,” believes YouTuber Cris Parker.
“#MadameWeb is totally fine. There’s really not a lot to say here. The leads are charming. Dakota Johnson is a witchy weirdo. The slasher/FINAL DESTINATION meets superheroes vibes are there. But there’s just not a whole lot to it. Not a disaster. Just kinda there,” is the verdict of journalist James Preston Poole.Â
“Morbius was better,” says content creator Matt Ramos. Morbius, starring Jared Leto, was a critical and commercial dud.
“#MadameWeb is a clunky, poorly-written, messy, and sloppy movie packed with some mediocre editing and performances. Even though it had solid cinematography and an interesting concept, it couldn’t be saved due to its terrible execution,” says The Hollywood Handle.
“#MadameWeb is yet another disappointing entry in the Sony Universe. Dakota Johnson is a stand-out, but unfortunately that’s not the case for the rest of the cast. Not as bad as I expected it to be, but it sadly falls short of what could have been a decent movie,” says YouTuber Coco.
But, it’s not all negative. Journalist Kevin Fenix says: “#MadameWeb exceeds expectations! Some of the dialog is cheesy AF, some heavy-handed product placement, and probably could’ve been tidied up a bit more. But the cast really work magic with what they had, their chemistry is a lot of fun, and the suits look great”
If you are interested in watching Madame Web, you can find it in theatres near you or stream it online.
