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Sony Pictures’ latest superhero movie,Kraven the Hunter, aimed to captivate audiences with the origin story of one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains.
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular antihero, the film had high hopes of carving out a strong foothold in the Spider-Man Universe (SSU). However, the opening weekend results and critical reception paint a different picture.
With an underwhelming debut and scathing reviews,Kraven the Hunterfaces challenges that might signal trouble for Sony’s broader plans for its Spider-Man spin-offs.
Let’s look at the reasons behind the movie’s rocky reception and what it means for the future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
Kraven the Hunteropened in 3,211 theaters across the United States but struggled to attract a large audience.
The film earned just $4.7 million on its first day, including Thursday previews, and is projected to end its opening weekend with a modest $13-$15 million.
These figures make it one of the weakest openings for a Spider-Man-related film in Sony’s history.
Impact of the $110 Million Budget
For context, the film’s $110 million production budget only adds to the disappointment, as breaking even at thebox officenow seems unlikely.
By comparison, Sony’s earlier SSU films likeVenom(2018) and its sequelVenom: Let There Be Carnage(2021) enjoyed blockbuster-level openings, grossing $80 million and $90 million respectively in their first weekends.
Kraven the Hunterfalls far short of those numbers, raising concerns about Sony’s ability to sustain its Spider-Man spin-off franchise.
Critical Reception: Harsh and Unforgiving
Critics’ Opinions on Story and Execution
The critical response toKraven the Hunterhas been overwhelmingly negative. The film holds a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the lowest-rated Marvel-related movies.
Reviewers criticized themoviefor its weak plot, derivative storytelling, and substandard visual effects.
Audience Reactions and CinemaScore Analysis
David Rooney fromThe Hollywood Reporterdescribed the film as lacking emotional depth and focus, whileVariety’s Owen Gleiberman called it a missed opportunity to bring a nuanced antihero to life.
Even audience reactions have been lukewarm, as reflected in the movie’s CinemaScore rating of “C.” This is worse than the “C+” ratings received by previous SSU films likeMorbiusandMadame Web.
One of the main criticisms of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is the absence of Spider-Man himself.
As the central figure connecting all these characters, Spider-Man’s exclusion leaves movies likeKraven the Hunterfeeling disconnected and purposeless.
The lack of a clear link to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) further diminishes the appeal of these films for many fans.
Struggling Spin-Offs
While Sony’s SSU started strong with theVenomfranchise, subsequent projects have failed to replicate that success.
Morbius(2022) became a running joke on social media due to its poor reception, andMadame Webhas struggled to build anticipation despite its big-name cast.
The question now is whether audiences are losing interest in these spin-offs or if the formula itself is flawed. Without compelling characters or strong narratives, the SSU’s future seems uncertain.
Competition at the Box Office
Competing Releases OutshineKraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunterentered theaters amidst a fiercely competitive box office landscape, facing challenges from several well-established franchises.
Disney’sMoana 2continues to dominate, earning an additional $6 million on Friday alone and securing the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive weekend.
With a record-breaking Thanksgiving debut and a total domestic gross surpassing $320 million, the musical sequel is a major hit, leaving little room for newcomers likeKravento make an impact.
Universal’sWicked, another heavy hitter, remains in second place after raking in $5.8 million on Friday. The adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical is set to cross $350 million domestically, further cementing its position as a top box office draw this year.
How Kraven Failed to Compete with Blockbusters
Paramount’sGladiator IIis also holding strong, adding $2.1 million on Friday and nearing a $145 million domestic total.
Interestingly, while anime films likeDemon Slayer: Mugen TrainandDragon Ball Super: Super Herohave drawn massive North American crowds in recent years,Kravenhas failed to tap into a similar level offanbaseenthusiasm.
With such strong competition and underwhelming audience reception,Kraven the Hunterstruggled to secure its place among this year’s box office successes.
Critics and viewers alike pointed out the film’s lackluster script.
Many felt that the story failed to explore Kraven’s character in a meaningful way, making it hard for audiences to connect with the antihero.
Poor Visual Effects
Another major complaint was the film’s subpar CGI. For a superhero movie with a $110 million budget, audiences expect high-quality visuals.
Unfortunately,Kraven the Hunterfell short, with critics calling the effects “shockingly low-quality.”
Identity Crisis
Unlike the MCU, which has a clear identity and vision, Sony’s SSU feels disjointed.
Each film struggles to stand on its own while also lacking the interconnectedness that makes cinematic universes compelling.Kraven the Hunteris no exception, leaving audiences questioning its purpose.
Film
Release Year
Opening Weekend Gross
Rotten Tomatoes Score
CinemaScore
Venom
2018
$80 million
30%
B+
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
2021
$90 million
57%
B
Morbius
2022
$39 million
16%
C+
Madame Web
2024
$6 million (est.)
TBD
TBD
Kraven the Hunter
2024
$13-$15 million (est.)
15%
C
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Films
What’s Next for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe?
Upcoming Films in the Pipeline
The disappointing performance ofKraven the Hunterraises serious questions about the future of Sony’s SSU.
While the studio has upcoming projects likeMadame WebandVenom 3in the pipeline, the poor reception of recent films indicates that significant changes might be needed.
Should Sony Reconsider Its Strategy?
Some industry insiders believeSony should focus on its main Spider-Man franchise, which continues to deliver critical acclaim and box-office success.
Alternatively, the studio might need to reimagine its approach to these spin-offs by integrating Spider-Man directly or collaborating with the MCU to boost credibility and audience interest.
Sony’s experiment with Spider-Man’s villains has yielded mixed results, andKraven the Hunterrepresents a low point for the franchise. Whether the studio can learn from these setbacks and turn things around remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Kraven the Hunteris projected to earn only $13-$15 million in its opening weekend, making it one of Sony’s worst-performing Spider-Man-related films.
With a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a CinemaScore of “C,” the film failed to impress both critics and audiences.
Spider-Man’s absence continues to undermine the SSU, leaving its spin-off films feeling disconnected and unappealing.
The film’s weak narrative and substandard CGI were major points of criticism.
Sony’s SSU faces an uphill battle to regain audience trust, and its upcoming films will need to significantly improve to revive the franchise’s fortunes.
The video features the trailer of the filmKraven the Hunter
Last Updated: December 16, 2024
