As anticipation built for the release of *Kraven the Hunter*, director JC Chandor, known for films like *Triple Frontier* and *Margin Call*, along with lead actor Aaron Taylor Johnson, who starred in *Tenet* and *Nosferatu*, went above and beyond to assure the audience that this latest installment would break away from the notorious failures of previous Sony Spider-Verse offerings. Unfortunately, early reactions are far from encouraging.

The film currently flounders with an abysmal 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, confirming what many feared—that *Kraven the Hunter* is a dismal entry in a series of lackluster films. In the wake of these grim reviews, Sony has indicated that this will mark the end of their villain-centered Spider-Verse saga, hinting at a renewed focus on a genuine *Spider-Man 4* and further entries in the *Into the Spider-Verse* series. This decision, while perhaps too late, underscores one of the most disappointing runs in superhero movie history.

Here's a quick look at the gruesome track record of Sony's Spider-Verse films: - *Venom* (2018) – 30% - *Venom: Let There Be Carnage* (2021) – 58% - *Morbius* (2022) – 15% - *Madame Web* (2024) – 11% - *Venom: The Last Dance* (2024) – 41% - *Kraven the Hunter* (2024) – 14%.

Though some might argue that the *Venom* films captured a certain fun and quirky essence that critics overlooked, the overwhelming failure of *Morbius* and *Madame Web*—which became global memes due to their sheer absurdity—highlights a downward spiral. While the ridiculousness of *Madame Web* made it a cinematically entertaining experience, *Kraven the Hunter*, by contrast, lacks that campy appeal and risks being forgotten among fans eager for authentic superhero narratives.

In a creative misstep, Sony aimed to reshape Kraven as a poaching anti-hero and adapt the iconic "The Last Hunt" storyline, which is often hailed as one of the best in Kraven's comic history. Ironically, a more faithful portrayal of the character was recently delivered in the PS5's *Spider-Man 2*, proving to be more engaging and true to the source material.

Initially, it appeared that Sony was crafting a cinematic universe akin to Marvel's own with plans to assemble a *Sinister Six*, aiming to eventually create a brand-new Spider-Man—whether it be Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, or Tom Holland—to face this cadre of villains. However, with each new flop, hopes of this ambitious project are dwindling rapidly.

In summary, the dismal reception of *Kraven the Hunter* compounds the failures of preceding films and may signal the nail in the coffin for Sony’s Spider-Verse ambitions. As fans grapple with disappointment yet again, the question is, what lies ahead for the franchise? Will we see a return to form with the upcoming *Spider-Man* projects, or has the audience already moved on? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding saga!