The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story

Spider-Man fans rejoice! Although last weekend was originally slated for the release of the now-delayed Beyond the Spider-Verse, Sony Animation did not leave us empty-handed. Premiering at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2023, The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story has been the topic of conversations for fans yearning to leap back into the stylized world they've come to adore. After waiting almost a year, Sony Animation finally released the short film on their YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy for free. In a collaboration with the Kevin Love Fund, the short aims to raise awareness and resonate with those facing emotional or mental struggles. Taking a short trip into the Spider-Verse, audiences can now enjoy the short film whenever they'd like.

Taking place between the first and second Spider-Verse films, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) finds himself on a momentary break from crime fighting. Crashing back to reality, he stumbles past his father, Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry), to lock himself in his bedroom. Suffering from an anxiety attack, Miles finds himself faced with his own mental demons. After standing against various struggles and foes, Spider-Man must now work to overcome his own internal battle.

Centering on Miles, the short attempts to provide a deeper exploration of his character, with Shameik Moore continuing to deliver a flawless portrayal of the young Spider-Man. However, despite its noble intentions, the short feels somewhat inconsequential. Depicting anxiety as an ordinary villain, the metaphor seems drowned out by the lackluster execution. Though rarely touched on within the genre, Marvel previously succeeded at a similar story with Iron Man 3. Additionally, the short concludes abruptly, closing the chapter on Miles mental health struggle almost as quickly as it began. Although beautifully animated, The Spider Within fails to prove necessary in the larger Spider-Verse by pulling its punches on its realistic subject.

While The Spider Within sheds light on a lesser-explored aspect of superheroes, it doesn't quite measure up to the exceptional films that preceded it. Hopefully, future endeavors will delve into other realistic struggles of Spider-Men and allow more time for issues to be explored. While it's a commendable effort to bridge the Spider-Verse, The Spider Within falls short of its full potential, despite originating from a promising concept.

Sony Pictures Animations' The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story is yet another strong example of the studio's magnificent chops. Only 7 minutes in length, it tackles a heck of a lot under the surface - battles with anxiety, youthful pressures, and familial bonds through trauma. The cast is minimal (Shameik Moore and Brian Tyree Henry returning as Miles and Jeff Morales, respectively), but these minimal interactions with Miles' growing mental anguish create a turning point for both characters that culminates in something wholesome - a stark contrast to the short's dark, horror-inspired imagery.

Mental health has been an element of many cinematic Spider-Man stories, but this short confronts these themes head-on, pulling no punches in creating imagery that helps us feel what Miles is enduring. However, I can't help but feel that this short did not flourish like it could have. To me, this begs to be incorporated into a larger work, where we can examine this side of Miles and his feelings towards herodom as it relates to a grander story. This is not a make-or-break critique, of course, as the end product was effective, empathetic, and I'm sure started a lot of productive conversations.

If any of us in our daily lives with normal problems face fears, stress, anxiety, etc. I can only imagine what Miles, being so young and inexperienced, may be facing, but, although Miles does not always remember or keep it in mind, he counts on his dad who always, despite everything, has time for whatever his son needs.

In this universe the animation is fabulous and on this occasion the way in which they occupy it in the protagonist's environment to make you feel his emotions is brutal and scary. Besides that, I don't have much to add, being such a fan, having any extra of the spider-verse is always appreciated, but unfortunately the short film is so short that I don't even have time to enjoy it.

This short film was an interesting additional story, to add the ever-growing movies for Miles Morales, As the newest Spider-Man superhero this film makes a lot of sense, having to balance being a superhero and his normal life also, the fear and anxiety he was going through is normal because of the dangers of being a superhero involves. This felt like a spinoff horror movie with some of the scenes in this short film.

I like how Miles Morales can still feel relatable as a normal teenager to many people even as a superhero. The animation was great and as a Miles Morales Spider-Man fan it was great seeing new content with Miles Morales. I recommend this to anyone who watched the previous movies and is a fan of Spider-Man, Miles Morales and superhero media in general.

A great little heart felt short film about Anxiety & Depression which looks great while also handling its subject matter with the sensitivity and care it both needs and deserves.

It's not all perfect though. While it doesn't patronise the audience, it maybe does over-simplifies such an important and complicated subject matter. That being said, it is aimed at a younger audience, who may need it to be simplified. So this definitely stands as a way to start and normalise conversations on mental health, especially in men, both young and old. Either way, as a whole, it was a nice little addition to the brilliant Spider-Verse franchise.

7.5/10.