New Spider-Man film makes trauma its superpower

Although the new Spider-Man film does not offer entirely new content, as its title might suggest, it is nevertheless one of Marvel’s better films and one of the stronger Spider-Man movies, ERR reviewer Rasmus Kuningas writes. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” combines superhero action with reflections on trauma, depression, loneliness and self-discovery. Kuningas gives the film 7 out of 10.

The film reflects a trend in Marvel productions to look beyond mindless action and friendship or romance, giving characters greater inner depth in ways that support the superhero genre and the storytelling. A striking example of this was “Thunderbolts,” in which the antagonist’s trauma emerged from inside him into the real world. Superpowers can thus become metaphors for characters’ internal conflicts and burdens, allowing filmmakers to go deeper than the average comic-book film. The same applies here.

Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland, is no longer a thin teenager but a broad-shouldered man. He still has to grow emotionally, however, and decide whether he wants to be more Peter Parker or more Spider-Man.

The story begins four years after the end of “No Way Home,” when Doctor Strange’s spell caused the entire multiverse to forget who Peter Parker is. As a result, Spider-Man has been deeply lonely and unable to move on from losing his loved ones’ memories of him or from the death of his aunt. Despite all this, he continues to protect New York from various villains and wrestles with one of the superhero’s oldest problems: being a hero is difficult and lonely.

This time, Spider-Man must find a solution to a mysterious wave of attacks on the city, orchestrated by an unknown force that controls people. It is fairly standard action, eventually bringing in Hulk and Punisher, as well as another unexpected but familiar character who enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time.

The more interesting parts of the film come when Peter Parker is alone, struggling with guilt and longing and with the changes taking place inside him. Spider-Man has perhaps never been as sad as he is here, except possibly in Nicolas Cage’s portrayal in Prime’s “Spider-Noir.”

The film is genuinely bleak. The colourful look normally associated with Marvel movies has been significantly toned down, with grey and muted tones and moods dominating. Until Peter Parker resolves his inner burdens and troubles, allowing himself to heal and develop, he cannot fulfil his full potential as Spider-Man. It is a simple parallel, but it is handled well and makes the film considerably more meaningful. “Brand New Day” is consequently surprisingly moving and sincere.

It is probably difficult to watch the film as a completely fresh start. Viewers should at least be familiar with the previous Spider-Man films. The story still assumes some knowledge of the state of the Marvel universe, although numerous flashbacks attempt to compensate for that. Overall, however, the plot and the scope of its fictional world are relatively contained, and the fate of all universes and their characters is not at stake.