Review - Madame Web (2024)

        Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, I just went to see the new movie Madame Web, directed by S.J. Clarkson, released by Sony Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, and starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Adam Scott,  Kerry Bishé, and Emma Roberts. 

       The movie is set in the year 2003, and focuses on Cassandra Webb, a New York City paramedic, who after a freak drowning accident, slowly begins to discover her power of clairvoyance, which allows her to glimpse into the future, and attempt to prevent an individual's death before it happens. This puts her into conflict with a very powerful man named Ezekiel Sims, who has been plagued with visions of his demise at the hands of three young women all with spider-like superpowers. The three Spider-Women in question, Julia Cornwall, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazon, are all teenagers at this point, and now Cassie must keep them safe, all while trying to learn of a secret tie that Sims had to her mother Constance, whom we see was with Sims in a 1973 expedition to the Amazon. 

        Okay, so one of the really enjoyable elements of Madame Web is the film's main star, as well as the trio of Spider-Women she has to keep safe. Dakota Johnson was really good at showcasing the most powerful clairvoyant in the Spider-Verse, with ties to the Web of the Multiverse, at the start of her power. I also thought it was clever to tie both herself and Ezekiel to the legends of spider-people in the jungles of Peru. But, her report with the trio of Sydney Sweeney as Julia, Isabela Merced as Anya, and Celeste O'Connor as Mattie was also a highlight. I really enjoyed the three of them in this movie, and they had really great chemistry throughout the movie. I also liked the inclusion of Ben and Mary Parker, played respectively by Adam Scott and Emma Roberts. 

        Unfortunately, the villain of the film is a weak link. Not that Tahar Rahim gave a terrible performance as Ezekiel Sims, but his motivations were shallow, his attempts to justify killing three teenage girls to prevent his own death are piss poor, and his all black-and-red Spider-Man like outfit was just unnecessary. Also, giving him the powers of Spider-Man? Really, Sony? Jeez. But, speaking of suits, I liked how Mattie, Julia, and Anya got to wear their mostly comic accurate Spider-Woman costumes, with the eyepieces all being different. Now, they were only seen in costume in glimpses throughout the movie, but at least it's something. 

        Also, the writing in the movie is a bit haphazard, and the dialogue is quite clunky. A lot of this is due to the director, S.J. Clarkson. Now, while this was her first ever feature film, she does have experience in television directing, having directed episodes of Heroes, Jessica Jones, and The Defenders. Unfortunately, television directing and film directing are two very different beasts all together. And, unfortunately, experience in one doesn't necessarily translate into experience for the other. And, it does show in this movie. 

        Now, one review I saw for this movie actually referred to it as a superhero version of Final Destination. And, yeah, that's a pretty accurate description of the movie. Now, the real questions are as follows. First, is this a good movie? Not really, but I won't say that I wasn't entertained. Second, was it as bad, or worse, than Morbius? No. Because, while this movie was pretty clunky, Morbius was a combination of being bad, dull as ditchwater, and taking leaps in logic that made no sense whatsoever. Third, is this worth checking out? Sure. I think that it's worth seeing at matinee price. Or, if you're patient enough, wait for it to come to home video/streaming and check it out that way. I'm giving Madame Web a rating of 3.95/5. 

       Anyway guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll be getting back into Robert Rodriguez Month on Friday with Alita: Battle Angel.