Movie Review: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Many Spider-Man fans were eagerly awaiting the December 17 premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home this year, and many fans are finally getting to see the brand-new Marvel movie this weekend too! In this Marvel Studios film, Peter Parker tries to alter time (with the help of Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch) after his identity and personal information was revealed by villain Mysterio (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). Unfortunately, Peter soon learns that in trying to alter the past events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he’s playing with things that he doesn’t understand—and the consequences are drastic.

As usual, English actor Tom Holland excels in his role as Peter Parker and Spider-Man, managing to combine youthful naiveté and boyish charm with an impressive emotional intensity. His earnest mannerisms serve as an intriguing juxtaposition to the jaded superhero that he becomes in this Sony Pictures and Marvel film, which is part of what makes Tom’s performance so memorable. This movie has several upsetting scenes, and anyone who has found themselves crying in the past while watching Tom’s performances as Peter Parker will probably want to bring tissues!  

MJ Watson (played by Zendaya) and Ned (played by Jacob Batalon) provide their usual comic relief and grounding companionship (with Zendaya and Tom Holland’s chemistry being all the more noticeable now that they’ve all but confirmed their ongoing off-screen relationship) and there are lots of funny one-liners in the Marvel movie. Dr. Strange’s presence in the movie certainly adds to the plot, particularly since it’s his manipulations of the multiverse (at Peter’s request) that set the movie’s plot in motion, but fans who developed theories about the character’s nefarious ulterior motive might be disappointed. Fan-favorite Wong (played by Benedict Wong) and Jon Favreau’s character Harold “Happy” Hogan make appearances as well!

Peter Parker, MJ, and Ned in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Photo Credit: The Hollywood Reporter

Fans already knew from the Marvel Studio trailer that certain iconic Spider-Man villains would be returning in this movie (such as Doc Ock or Otto Octavius, played by Alfred Molina, and the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe), and there are some other characters who have been not-so-well-kept-secrets. Previous Spider-Man actors Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire may or may not make an appearance in this Spider-Man movie, which is something that fans and press have consistently been trying to confirm via the movie’s cast members. If you do want a spoiler about those two Spider-Men, check out the end of this article!

Overall, Spider-Man: No Way Home is fun to see on the big screen, and it elicits a lot of emotion from audiences (particularly big Spider-Man or Peter Parker/MJ fans)! The plot is fairly straightforward, although at times it seemed like the main characters were being particularly naïve in how they handled certain returning characters. If you want the usual fun Spider-Man combat and an emotional roller coaster, and you don’t mind a somewhat predictable plot, then this Marvel movie is for you! Are you going to see ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters, or wait until it comes out on Disney+? 

Photo Credit: Marvel Studios

Spoiler alert: the answer is yes.