2024 wasn’t exactly a banner year for superhero films, but sony’s R-rated Kraven the Hunter promised too shake things up. Sadly,it fell short of expectations,leaving fans and critics underwhelmed.
The film, which aimed to explore the origins of one of Spider-Man’s most notorious foes, took a bold approach by turning Kraven into a gangster-hunting anti-hero grappling with familial trauma. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired. Notably absent was Spider-Man himself, replaced by a final act showdown with Rhino—a character whose portrayal sparked mixed reactions.
In an attempt to stay true to Rhino’s comic book roots, the filmmakers gave him a mutant-like makeover. However, the result was far from extraordinary. Critics and fans alike pointed out the character’s underwhelming size and cartoonish design, which felt more like a relic from early 2000s superhero films than a modern-day Marvel antagonist.
A recently surfaced clip of Kraven and Rhino’s battle has been making waves on social media, with viewers calling out the overuse of green screen and the overall absurdity of the scene. Comments ranged from “awful film” to “The fight wasn’t entirely bad, but man…they made Rhino tiny!” The scene has become a talking point, though not for the reasons the filmmakers likely hoped.
another moment that caught attention was actor Alessandro Nivola’s bizarre scream after learning Kraven had killed his men. Reflecting on the scene, Nivola shared:
“The way I performed it was totally silent. It was a silent scream. When I did it, everybody laughed on set. It was so weird, but they all loved it. We kept referring to it as the ‘silent scream moment.’ So I kept asking J.C. [Chandor] during the edit if the silent scream was still in the cut,and he said,‘yeah,of course. We would never loose the silent scream.’ But when I saw the movie, it had that guttural voice catch, which I don’t think was as effective as it would’ve been otherwise.”
You can watch the now-viral clip of Kraven and Rhino’s showdown below.
Kraven vs Rhino: Fight sequence in ‘KRAVEN THE HUNTER’ (2024)pic.twitter.com/ArCFo05e8f
— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) January 13, 2025
Kraven the Hunter is a gritty, R-rated origin story that delves into the making of one of Marvel’s most feared villains. aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Kraven,a man driven by vengeance after a tumultuous relationship with his father,Nikolai Kravinoff (russell Crowe). The film follows his transformation into a ruthless hunter, blending action and drama with mixed results.
The ensemble cast includes Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott, with J.C. Chandor directing from a screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway.
Despite its flaws, Kraven the Hunter is now available on digital platforms and will hit DVD and blu-ray shelves on March 4, 2025.
Do audiences’ expectations around superhero films negatively impact studios’ willingness to explore darker themes or unique storytelling?
interview with Dr. Eliza Carter: A Deep Dive into Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter”
By Archyde News Editor
Archyde: Dr. Eliza Carter, welcome to Archyde. As a film critic and pop culture analyst, you’ve been vocal about the challenges faced by superhero films in 2024. Let’s start with Sony’s Kraven the Hunter. The film was highly anticipated as an R-rated departure from the typical superhero formula.What went wrong?
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me. Kraven the Hunter had all the makings of a groundbreaking film: a darker, more mature tone, a complex protagonist, and a focus on familial trauma. However, it stumbled in execution. The film’s bold approach to reimagining Kraven as an anti-hero was intriguing, but it lacked the narrative cohesion and depth needed to sustain its ambitious premise. Instead of a character study, it felt like a series of disjointed action sequences strung together.
Archyde: One of the major criticisms was the absence of Spider-Man,a character central to Kraven’s arc in the comics. Do you think this decision hurt the film?
Dr.Carter: Absolutely. Spider-Man’s absence was a glaring issue.Kraven’s identity as a villain is intrinsically tied to his obsession with Spider-Man. By removing that dynamic, the film lost a crucial element of tension and motivation. Instead, we got a final showdown with Rhino, which, while visually extraordinary, lacked the emotional weight of a Spider-Man encounter. Rhino’s portrayal also divided audiences—some appreciated the attempt to modernize the character,while others felt it strayed too far from his comic book roots.
Archyde: Speaking of Rhino, the film tried to stay true to his classic bulky, tank-like design, but opted for a more grounded, militarized version. Was this a misstep?
Dr. Carter: It’s a tricky balance. Modernizing classic characters can work if it’s done thoughtfully, but in this case, it felt like a compromise that pleased no one. Fans of the comics missed the larger-than-life, almost cartoonish Rhino, while newcomers found the militarized version underwhelming. The film’s attempt to ground Rhino in reality stripped away much of what makes him iconic in the first place.
Archyde: The film also aimed to explore Kraven’s familial trauma,but manny felt this aspect fell flat. Why do you think that happened?
Dr. Carter: The idea of delving into Kraven’s psyche and his relationship with his family had tremendous potential. Unluckily,the screenplay didn’t give these themes the depth they deserved. The trauma felt superficial, more like a plot device than a genuine exploration of character. A film like Kraven the Hunter needed to dig deeper into his moral ambiguity and internal conflict, but it ended up skimming the surface.
Archyde: Despite its flaws, do you think kraven the hunter had any redeeming qualities?
Dr. Carter: Certainly. The film’s R-rated approach was refreshing, even if it didn’t fully deliver on its promise. The action sequences where well-choreographed,and Aaron Taylor-johnson’s performance as Kraven was commendable—he brought a raw intensity to the role. Additionally, the film’s darker tone hinted at what superhero movies coudl achieve if they took more risks. It’s just a shame that these elements weren’t tied together more effectively.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what lessons can Sony take from Kraven the Hunter as they continue to expand their Spider-Man Universe?
Dr. Carter: Sony needs to focus on storytelling first and foremost. A unique tone and bold ideas are vital, but they must be supported by a strong narrative and well-developed characters.The absence of Spider-Man in a Spider-Man Universe is a glaring issue—fans want to see these characters interact with the web-slinger. Lastly, respecting the source material while taking creative risks is a delicate balance, but it’s essential for winning over both longtime fans and new audiences.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights. It’s clear that Kraven the Hunter had potential but ultimately missed the mark. Here’s hoping sony learns from this experience as they move forward.
Dr. Carter: Thank you. I’m optimistic that Sony can course-correct—there’s still plenty of untapped potential in their Spider-Man Universe.
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Dr. Eliza Carter is a film critic and pop culture analyst with over 15 years of experience. Her work focuses on the intersection of storytelling, character progress, and audience expectations in modern cinema.
