Review: Spider-Noir

Anything new from the Spider-Man universe? Yes, please!

Not long ago, we learned that Amazon is working on a new series set in the Spider-Man universe—and not just any series, and not just any Spider-Man, but Spider-Noir, played by none other than Nicolas Cage.
I was a little skeptical at first, not necessarily because of the character, but more because of the actor playing him, Nicolas Cage (he’s the kind of actor who’s hit or miss—he’s had a few good movies, but in general he’s agreed to star in a lot of run-of-the-mill, weak movies), I wasn’t sure if he’d live up to my expectations. The possibility of watching the series in both color and black-and-white piqued my interest, and the first trailer really gave me confidence that it would be a good series. What remained, as I mentioned a little earlier, was the uncertainty about how the lead actor would perform.

The series starts off slowly, but not so much that it makes you want to give up. It introduces the characters quite well and draws you into the story. We see a Spider-Man—whose name is Ben Reilly—who’s past his prime, a Spider-Man who seems to have given up his life as a hero and is focused on making a living as a private detective in 1930s New York. We meet Janet, Ben’s secretary, who seems to be the only one keeping him grounded and constantly reminding him that his detective business is going poorly. Cat Hardy, a nightclub singer with the air of a femme fatale, quickly emerges as one of the series’ key characters and becomes the driving force behind Ben’s investigation. Robbie Robertson, an ambitious journalist and one of Ben’s few friends, offers an optimistic perspective that contrasts with the protagonist’s cynicism.

When it comes to villains, the series quickly establishes Silvermane as the head of the New York mafia and the main threat lurking in the shadows—a Kingpin of the universe presented by Amazon. At the same time, we’re introduced to Flint Marko, the Spider-Noir version of Sandman—a character far more tragic and nuanced than the simple comic book villain—as well as the brutal Tombstone and the eccentric Megawatt. Each fits naturally into the film noir atmosphere, being more like gangsters and streetwise figures than supervillains in the classic sense of the Marvel universe.

What sets Spider-Noir apart from other recent Marvel productions, however, is its atmosphere. The series fully embraces the noir aesthetic and doesn’t shy away from placing it at the center of the experience. The dark streets of New York, the jazz clubs, the corruption that seems to have infected every corner of the city, and the genre-specific dialogue all contribute to creating a unique identity. This isn’t a series with explosions every five minutes or a parade of special effects, but rather a story that prefers to build tension gradually.

The decision to offer the option of watching in black-and-white also deserves special mention. Although it may seem like a simple marketing gimmick, in practice it works surprisingly well and adds to the authenticity of the experience. If you have the chance, it’s worth trying at least a few episodes in this format.

As for Nicolas Cage, I can say that my initial fears turned out to be unfounded. The actor delivers exactly the kind of performance the character needed: a Ben Reilly who is tired, disillusioned, and weighed down by the mistakes of his past, but who still holds onto the desire to do what’s right somewhere deep inside. It’s not a spectacular performance in the classic sense of the word, but it’s appropriate and believable for the tone of the series.

The story unfolds at a steady pace. The central mystery is intriguing enough to keep you watching episode after episode, and the series manages to reveal new information without feeling like it’s dragging things out. There are a few predictable moments and some supporting characters who don’t receive the same attention as the protagonist, but these don’t significantly affect the overall experience.

Overall, Spider-Noir is one of the most interesting adaptations of the Spider-Man universe in recent years. It doesn’t try to copy the success of the MCU movies or turn the character into a modern, wisecracking superhero. Instead, it offers a mature, dark, and surprisingly well-executed take on a character we thought we already knew.