Entertainment Blog #218 | Madame Web [2024] - A Fraction of What it Could Have Been..

In earlier years of 21st century, MARVEL was under SONY Pictures Releasing. Still, most of Marvel characters are owned by Sony companies. But in 2009, Walt Disney Pictures bought some of characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and so on. So Sony releases new Marvel movies time to time. I hope you remember what happened to Morbius, a total failure. And the new Madame Web, probably the same.

"Madame Web," a 2024 American superhero film, is a part of Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) and stars the Marvel Comics character with the same name. Dakota Johnson plays Cassie Webb in the film, directed by S. J. Clarkson, which also stars Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott. The film, produced by Columbia Pictures and Di Bonaventura Pictures in association with Marvel Entertainment and TSG Entertainment, was released on February 14, 2024. Despite its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, critics panned "Madame Web" for its predictable plot and uneven execution, marking it one of the worst comic book movies to date.

"Madame Web" follows Cassandra "Cassie" Webb, a Manhattan paramedic who develops psychic abilities after a near-death experience. Cassie's powers enable her to predict future events, particularly those involving three teenage girls—Julia, Anya, and Mattie—who are destined to become Spider-Women. Ezekiel Sims, a man with precognitive abilities, targets these girls, believing they will be responsible for his death. Cassie recognizes the danger and takes it upon herself to protect the girls from Sims.

As Cassie tries to protect the girls, she learns about her own mother, Constance Webb, whom Sims betrayed and left for dead in Peru years ago. This information strengthens Cassie's resolve to stop Sims and protect the girls, setting the stage for a series of fights that put her abilities and convictions to the test. Despite personal struggles and doubts, Cassie embraces her role as mentor and protector, determined to change the future and keep the three young women safe.

"Madame Web" received poor ratings from both critics and audiences, who felt that the film failed to deliver a satisfying and complete story. Many critics panned the film for its disjointed story, lack of character development, and unrealized potential. They criticized the film for feeling like it was only the beginning of a larger story, leaving viewers hanging without a sense of closure. Additionally, the film's pacing was criticized, with some believing it dragged on without enough substance to justify its length. As a result, "Madame Web" was widely regarded as a missed opportunity to explore a fascinating protagonist while also meaningfully expanding the Spider-Man Universe.

Audience reactions repeated these opinions, with many viewers disappointed by the film's sudden ending and lack of conclusion. They also criticized the film for its poor action sequences and underdeveloped characters, claiming that the premise's potential was never realized. "Madame Web" failed to connect with critics and audiences, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction and the impression that the film was only a fraction of what it could have been.

"Madame Web" struggled at the box office, grossing only $97 million worldwide over a $80 million production budget. The film's underwhelming performance was attributed to its poor critical reception and word-of-mouth, which likely turned off potential viewers. Despite having a talented cast and a captivating plot, "Madame Web" failed to engage viewers and fell short of expectations. As a result, the character's future and potential sequels in Sony's Spider-Man Universe remain undetermined, with the film serving as an important lesson about the difficulties of expanding and exploring new areas of established cinematic universes.