Sony’s Spider-Man universe takes another chaotic turn with Spider-Noir.

After years of speculation about whether the Spider-Man film rights would be better off solely with Marvel, *Into the Spider-Verse* emerged and showcased Sony’s ability to craft incredible stories featuring the beloved web-slinger. With its stunning visuals and a fresh take on a different web-slinging New Yorker, *Into the Spider-Verse* stood out from other adaptations. It was genuinely surprising to see Sony follow up with an even bigger, bolder sequel just a few years later.

One of the highlights of the first two *Spider-Verse* films was their clever inclusion of lesser-known Spider-characters that Sony could legally feature. Fans who might not typically read comics fell in love with characters like Hailee Steinfeld’s Spider-Gwen, John Mulaney’s Spider-Ham, and Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir. Riding on the success of these films, Sony attempted to replicate that magic with other characters from Spider-Man’s universe, such as Venom and Madame Web, with mixed results.

Now, Amazon’s live-action *Spider-Noir* series represents Sony’s latest effort to leverage the Spider-Man brand outside of Marvel’s influence. This show, which leans into comedy with loose connections to the *Spider-Verse* films, serves as a playful homage to the hard-boiled crime dramas of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Visually, *Spider-Noir* is a treat, especially in black and white, though it struggles with narrative depth, making it feel like Sony has lost sight of what made its most successful Spider-Man projects resonate.

Instead of bringing Cage back to reprise his role as the monochromatic Spider-Man Noir, *Spider-Noir* focuses on Ben Reilly, a brooding vigilante known as “The Spider” in his universe. Once driven by a sense of purpose through crime-fighting, Reilly’s life takes a turn after the tragic loss of his girlfriend, leading him to abandon his heroics for a career as a private investigator.

Reilly’s secretary, Janet, has been working with him for five years and is aware of his unique ability to sense danger and his talent for photography. However, he’s been neglecting his duties, failing to attract new clients and not paying her for months. Just as Janet is about to quit, Reilly stumbles upon a seemingly mundane case that brings him into contact with the alluring nightclub singer Cat Hardy. It’s no surprise when the case leads him to the local mob boss Silvermane and his bumbling henchmen, but Reilly is taken aback when he encounters superpowered individuals like Flint Marko.

*Spider-Noir* bears little resemblance to Marvel’s 2009 *Spider-Man: Noir* comics, and the connections to Cage’s character are minimal. This might be acceptable if the show had a compelling narrative or fully embraced a serious tone. However, Reilly’s journey is filled with familiar Spider-Man tropes—get ready for another round of “with great power comes great responsibility”—that have been explored numerous times before. The series often leans into cheesy humor, detracting from its potential.

While Spider-Men across the multiverse are known for their witty banter, Cage’s performance here sometimes veers into awkward territory, highlighting why this character might be better suited for animation. Throughout the series, Cage portrays Reilly as a mix of aging quipster, a smooth-talking Bogart type, and an eccentric character lacking believable chemistry with his romantic interests. There are moments when Cage’s Reilly is intriguing, especially when he reflects on his place in the world, but these moments are often cut short as the show rushes through its predictable plot.

Cage’s Spider-Verse character thrived on an offbeat energy that complemented the films’ multiverse chaos. The humor derived from Spider-Man Noir’s serious demeanor and colorblindness was effective because of the surrounding whimsy. However, *Spider-Noir* lacks the emotional and thematic depth needed to make Reilly feel like a fully realized character, instead presenting him as a jumbled collection of half-formed ideas.

It’s unfortunate because the show is visually stunning, and it’s evident that Cage is enjoying the role. Yet, that alone doesn’t elevate *Spider-Noir* to must-watch status. The series feels like a misstep, a reminder that Sony may have learned the wrong lessons from its past successes, leaving fans longing for a return to the quality storytelling they’ve come to expect.

*Spider-Noir* also features Lamorne Morris, Abraham Popoola, Lukas Haas, Andrew Lewis Caldwell, and Jack Mikesell. All eight episodes are set to premiere on MGM Plus on May 25th and on Amazon Prime starting May 27th.