Madame Web

Madame Web (2024) follows the enigmatic Cassandra Webb, portrayed by Dakota Johnson, a clairvoyant woman with extraordinary psychic abilities who guides Spider-themed heroes through perilous multidimensional challenges. Set within the expansive Marvel Universe, the film explores Cassandra’s mysterious past and her crucial role in preventing a catastrophic event spanning different realities. As she foresees dark threats looming over New York City, Madame Web is compelled to step out from behind the veil of secrecy, leading to a gripping battle between destiny and free will. The movie blends supernatural elements with superhero action, aiming to deepen the Marvel mythos through a fresh and complex heroine.

Madame Web received predominantly negative feedback from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a low approval rating of 11%, indicating widespread disappointment. Critics often cited a convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters as major shortcomings, despite Dakota Johnson’s earnest performance. Metacritic's score stands at 26/100, reflecting generally unfavorable reviews, where reviewers pointed out pacing issues and a lack of coherent storytelling. IMDb ratings align with this trend, scoring the film 4.0/10 based on audience votes. Some reviewers from major outlets like The Guardian and Variety acknowledged the ambition behind expanding the Spider-Verse but lamented the execution falling short, with The Guardian commenting that the movie 'struggles to weave its complex narrative into an engaging whole.' Conversely, a few voices praised the film’s visual effects and unique tone, suggesting that fans of the Spider-Man franchise might still find elements to appreciate despite the flaws. Overall, Madame Web is seen as an ambitious but flawed addition to the Marvel pantheon, with its mixed reception highlighting the challenges of introducing new characters in a crowded superhero landscape.