If Marvel Studios were to reduce the number of films released annually, 2024 would have been Sony’s year for expanding the Spider-Man Universe. With “Madame Web” in February last year, “Venom: The Last Dance” in October, and “Kraven the Hunter” in December, one could argue that we were either generously treated or overwhelmed by these releases. Since the inception of this universe, which focuses on Spider-Man’s adversaries without featuring Spider-Man himself, it is fair to say that the quality has not been consistent across films. From “Venom 1,” “Venom 2,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” Morbius, to “Madame Web,” there isn’t a single film that elevates the standard of its predecessors. Initially, there was optimism surrounding the first trailer for “Kraven the Hunter”: it promised a more mature and violent tone, even earning an R-Rating in the United States, indicating restricted viewing for those under 17 years old. However, these expectations were largely unmet—violence was toned down, scenes were censored, and characters lacked proper respect. Consequently, it is difficult to recommend this film wholeheartedly. While some American critics might argue that it isn’t the worst in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, it still falls short when compared against higher standards, remaining confined to a level of mediocrity.
In the American critical imagination, Kraven is regarded as an inferior film compared to the three Venom episodes. Indeed, on Rotten Tomatoes, it scores a mere 16%, ranking better than Morbius and Madame Web but still falling short of any Venom’s score. I acknowledge that cinema appreciation can be highly subjective, even more so than video games, yet when American press ranks Venom 2 at the head of the Sony Spider-Man Universe with an average score of 58%, it raises questions about the standards being applied. So believe me, Kraven is clearly not the worst film in the Sony Spider-Man Universe’s villain movies; it even fares better than the rest. However, we are still looking at a failed project that is largely unpleasant to watch, with poor special effects. The outcome is less disappointing compared to the rest of the series, possibly due to this chain of disappointments, making Kraven the Hunter seem somewhat less catastrophic than anticipated.
CRITICAL: R-RATED
It was not a certainty when the film was delayed by two years and initially set to release in January 2023 that director JC Chandor began urging audiences to give his film a chance before criticizing it. In a moment of despair, Sony Pictures leaked the first eight minutes of the film on YouTube, indicating internal panic. Following its poor performance at the box office during its opening weekend, one could conclude that the verdict is in and “Kraven” is already considered a failure. However, the film aimed for more commendable intentions compared to other Sony Spider-Man Universe films by striving to create an adult-oriented movie with necessary violence to earn an R-Rated rating, restricted to those under 17 in the US. By not aiming to please the general public or children, as “Venom” did, it could have reassured fans and true audiences of its commitment. Yet, even regarding its supposed violent content, “Kraven the Hunter” falls short, and I can confirm today that it has been toned down.
There are several scenes in trailers that do not appear in the final version of the film, such as a soldier having his limbs torn off by wolves during a snowstorm. This specific scene is not included in the movie. Remember when Kraven attacks a poaching convoy and bites off one of their noses with his mouth before spitting it out towards the camera with splashes of blood? In the final cut, this scene was shortened to less than two seconds on screen, with the camera angle adjusted to show less of the violent act up close. In the trailer, the camera is positioned inside the truck, whereas in the film, it is placed outside in a vehicle alongside the truck, presenting the scene from an external perspective. The impact is noticeably diminished as a result. This suggests that Sony Pictures had reservations about their product’s graphic content right until the end, questioning whether such violent scenes would effectively promote the film. It is particularly unfortunate because this aspect was meant to be one of the film’s strengths. Additionally, there are instances in which Kraven engages in Rambo-like shootings against soldiers in a forest setting; however, these moments are not explored or detailed enough for viewers to fully appreciate them. Given that Kraven is portrayed as a hunter and predator throughout the movie, more emphasis could have been placed on this aspect of the hunt, but such attention was not given in the final product.
YES MAN
Despite Sony Pictures not choosing just anyone to direct the film, JC Chandor is at the helm. He previously directed “Triple Frontier” in 2019 and notably, “A Most Violent Year,” an urban western that delves into the harsh ties between capitalism and crime while challenging the foundations of the American dream. In short, JC Chandor is no novice. However, when making a superhero film, producers retain final control, with Avi Arad overseeing Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, including “Uncharted” and “Borderlands.” If we could offer advice to Avi Arad, who seems eager to adapt video games into films, it would be to observe how game development studios handle their products. Insomniac Games, in particular, appears adept at capturing the essence of Spider-Man and adapting these stories with an original approach while remaining true to the source material. Recall the handling of Venom and Kraven in “Spider-Man 2” to see what works well. It is time to stop treating audiences as mere consumers and provide them with well-told stories and respected characters.
TOO YOUNG, TOO HANDSOME
Despite Aaron Taylor Johnson’s best efforts to deliver a solid version of Kraven the Hunter, the selection of the actor itself is already a misstep. Out of hundreds of bankable Hollywood actors, Sony Pictures chose someone who previously portrayed Quicksilver in the MCU. This insistence on rejuvenating the character needs to stop. We do not want a 28-year-old Kraven, a runway model with visible six-pack abs, but a gritty character with a massive build, making him appear bear-like in every appearance. Yet, I repeat, Johnson tries his best, but he is saddled with a clumsily written character, one that runs like an animal on all fours, befriends animals, and is almost eco-friendly – nothing like the comic-book character. While I have no issue with creative liberties in adaptations, some authenticity should be maintained. In the comics, Kraven goes mad because his father killed a lion that tried to eat him, not the other way around as depicted in the film – a complete contradiction of the character.
CAST AWAY
Essentially, the film does not present a budding supervillain but rather an antihero attempting to do good, which is problematic for the story. We do not want Kraven to have a moral compass or be portrayed as a friend of nature; it is entirely contradictory. Additionally, we do not need another origin story that dedicates nearly 20 minutes to a flashback of Kraven and his brother Dimitri’s teenage years. This portion could have been omitted or reduced in length. The way DC handled the Penguin character makes me question whether we should continue trying to transform supervillains into characters with moral complexities and emotional depth.
And I am not even addressing the character of Chameleon, played by Fred Hechinger, who comes across as rather unlikable—not due to his acting but mainly because of his writing. We have seen Hechinger in the role of Emperor Caracalla in “Gladiator 2,” already portraying an unbearable sovereign. It is hoped that he will not limit himself to such roles in the future, as he possesses genuine potential. As for Russell Crowe, he continues to undermine his career with a series of unsuccessful projects and uninteresting roles; his part in “Kraven” does little to restore his former status. He portrays Nikolaï Kravinoff, Kraven’s father, a mafia-style oligarch who enjoys hunting and advocates for the law of the strongest, complete with a sharp Russian accent. Reflecting on this, given his current physique, he might have been more suitable than Aaron Taylor-Johnson to inherit the role of Kraven the Hunter.
LOW COST
The user’s text discusses the film “Kraven the Hunter,” focusing on aspects such as casting choices, character development, and production decisions. They express dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Kraven as a young, muscular anti-hero rather than the experienced, morally ambiguous hunter depicted in the comics. The user also criticizes the origin story for Kraven’s brother and the character of Calypso, played by Ariana DeBose, whom they feel does not fit her role. They mention the unoriginal trajectory of Rhino’s character and the poor portrayal of Camouflage. While praising JC Chandor’s previous work, the user criticizes production decisions made by Avi Arad, suggesting he should learn from successful video game adaptations like those by Insomniac Games. The user also suggests that Russell Crowe would have been a better fit for Kraven due to his physicality and acting experience than Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Overall, the film is criticized for its low-cost production values and lack of faithfulness to the source material.
The user provides a critical review of the 2023 film “Kraven the Hunter,” which is part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The reviewer points out several issues with the movie, including inconsistent quality within the universe, poor special effects, and unfulfilled potential promised by initial trailers suggesting an R-rated approach. Despite some adult themes in the promotional materials, the actual content is criticized for its soft portrayal of violence, leading to disappointment. Aaron Taylor Johnson’s interpretation of Kraven is described as lacking authenticity compared to the comic character, with the film’s attempt to portray him as a morally conflicted antihero seen as contradictory to his established persona. The origin story for Kraven’s brother is viewed as both unnecessary and overly lengthy, while supporting characters such as Calypso and Chameleon are criticized for being underdeveloped. While praising director JC Chandor’s previous work, the reviewer criticizes production decisions made by Avi Arad, suggesting he should adopt strategies from successful video game adaptations to improve storytelling and character portrayal. The review recommends that Avi Arad study how Insomniac Games approached Spider-Man in “Spider-Man 2” to better understand the essence of characters like Kraven and Venom. Additionally, Russell Crowe, who plays Kraven’s father, is suggested as a more fitting choice for the role of Kraven due to his physical attributes and acting credentials. Overall, the review concludes that “Kraven the Hunter” fails because of its low-budget production and deviation from the original comic material’s faithfulness.
