The superhero genre has seen its share of hits and misses, but few films have garnered the level of unanimous negativity as “Madame Web.” Directed by S.J. Clarkson, known for “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” this movie, starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Tahar Rahim, was positioned as another entry in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). However, it quickly became apparent to audiences and critics alike that “Madame Web” was less a web of intrigue and more a tangled mess. Why Is Madame Web So Bad? Let’s delve into the reasons behind the film’s critical drubbing and explore why it failed to meet expectations.
One of the few arguably positive aspects mentioned by some viewers is that despite the generally uninspired performances, the cast, filled with talented actors, managed to deliver performances that were at least watchable. Dakota Johnson as Cassie Webb, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor as the young women she is tasked to protect, all navigate the material with a level of professionalism. However, even their combined talents couldn’t elevate the film beyond its fundamental flaws. This speaks volumes about the deeper issues plaguing “Madame Web,” suggesting that the problems lie far beyond mere acting choices.
Dakota Johnson in Madame Web movie poster, highlighting the movie's negative reception and exploring reasons for why Madame Web is so bad.
A significant point of criticism is Tahar Rahim’s villain performance. It’s hard to definitively blame Rahim himself, as his portrayal is marred by what appears to be poorly executed dubbing. His dialogue often seems disconnected from his lip movements and the surrounding sound environment, creating a jarring and unintentionally comical effect. The bizarre editing choices during his scenes, frequently cutting away from him while speaking, only amplify the sense of something being amiss. This technical misstep contributes significantly to the film’s overall amateurish feel, making it difficult for audiences to take the antagonist seriously and further fueling the question of why Madame Web is so bad.
However, the most frequently cited reason for the movie’s failure is undoubtedly the screenplay. While the infamous line from the trailer, “He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died,” didn’t make the final cut, the spirit of that dialogue permeates the entire film. The script, co-written by writers also associated with “Morbius,” another critically panned SSU film, is riddled with unnatural dialogue and bizarre plot points. The narrative struggles to create a compelling story, instead relying on tired superhero tropes and moments of sheer absurdity that elicit laughter for all the wrong reasons. This weak foundation makes it challenging for any film to succeed, and it’s a primary driver behind the consensus that Madame Web is so bad.
Adding to its woes, “Madame Web” suffers from its place within the larger, and arguably troubled, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The SSU, which began with “Venom,” focuses on characters connected to Spider-Man comics but often lacks the titular hero himself. While Venom has a degree of standalone comic book fame, characters like Morbius and Madame Web are considerably less mainstream. These characters are arguably supporting players at best, raising questions about their viability as leads in standalone franchises. The decision to greenlight movies centered on such obscure characters, seemingly driven by franchise expansion rather than compelling narratives, further contributes to the perception of “Madame Web” as a misstep and a key reason why Madame Web is considered so bad within the broader superhero landscape.
In conclusion, “Madame Web” is widely considered a critical failure due to a confluence of factors. While the cast’s efforts are somewhat commendable, they are ultimately overshadowed by a weak and often laughable screenplay, questionable directorial choices, and its precarious positioning within the SSU. From awkward dubbing to nonsensical plot points, the film consistently misses the mark, resulting in an unintentionally humorous and largely incompetent superhero movie experience. For those wondering why is Madame Web so bad, the answer lies in a combination of filmmaking missteps that unfortunately coalesce into a web of cinematic disappointment.
