‘Spider-Noir’ review: Nicolas Cage takes control of a Spider-Man story unlike any you’ve seen before

What is black and white and happy everywhere? Spider-Noira new superhero series directed by Nicolas Cage.

This show has its roots in 2018 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versein which Cage voiced a variant of Spider-Man known as Spider-Man Noir. Seen in black and white and always accompanied by a rain-scented wind, Spider-Man Noir managed to steal scenes from a film that was already overflowing with beauty. A large part of that comes down to the temptation of Cage, who commits himself wholeheartedly to Spider-Man Noir’s highly slangy dialogue. (“Are you going to fight or giggle, you hard-boiled turtle?”) That Cage performance is so well-regarded adds an extra layer of intrigue to the role, a wink to the audience that yes, the movie has got it. i Nicolas Cage will channel the classic detective films.

Although he’s a scene-stealer, Spider-Man Noir is on screen for about five and a half minutes. Enter the Spider-Verse. With Spider-NoirCage takes this variant of Spider-Man to the next level with an exciting technological adventure. Sure, it’s familiar – it’s a Spider-Man story, and we’ve seen a lot of those! – but Spider-Noir manages to find a new lease on life for spiders with its romantic embrace of film noir.

What Spider-Noir about?

The hero we meet Spider-Noir it is not the same as the beginning Enter the Spider-Verse. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a private investigator who happens to be New York City’s only superhero, the Spider.

Like Spider-Verse movies, Spider-Noir you know we’ve seen enough Spider-Man origin stories to fill hundreds of comic books, so we’re smart about using familiar beats. In the show’s highly stylized debut, it covers scenes from Ben’s life through the windows of the New York City skyscraper he’s riding, quickly catching us up on all things Spider. That includes him meeting, and then losing, the love of his life, Ruby. After his death, Ben hangs up his mask and glasses forever.

However, just because Ben has retired Spider-Man doesn’t mean he won’t end up trapped in a dangerous series created by others. Again Spider-Noir presents a truly interesting web, involving crime lord Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), lounge singer Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), and a gallery of super-powered men, including famous Spider-Man villains like Flint Marko (Jack Huston), aka Sandman, and Lonnie Lincoln (Abraham Popoola), aka Tombstone.

Spider-Noir a beautiful love letter to film noir.

Li Jun Li in “Spider-Noir.”
Credit: Prime

The way these particles come together doesn’t mean it starts from scratch. Obviously, Ben will put on the mask and seek redemption, even if he doesn’t think he should. And apparently, the origin of these super-powered villains has ties to Ben’s genetic mutation. But the show’s carefully balanced style manages to make each point of a familiar plot feel like a new discovery.

Recent superhero games have tried to differentiate themselves by playing in genres that go beyond just “superhero.” That’s how you get gangster dramas The Penguinor a legitimate joke like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. But not since then WandaVision has a show that has put itself in a different genre. In contrast WandaVision, Spider-Noir it holds firmly to its genre’s configuration throughout, and that tenacity elevates it above all other superhero game genres.

Visuals are key here, starting with the show’s unique presentation. Prime Video offers viewers the option to watch in black and white and color. While I recommend checking out the color version at least once to take in all the details of the show’s dresses and set pieces, black and white is definitely the way to go here. Spider-Noir it thrives on the contrast between light and dark, stark, inky shadows on urban streets in a direct homage to the film noir genre that inspired it. In a world where most TV shows are lit or seem flat, it’s a joy to see a series making full use of lighting as a key way to create mood and atmosphere.

Elsewhere, Spider-Noir has a ball with the basic style of the film noir genre, from the Dutch angles to the dynamic effect, courtesy of Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons. Don’t think Spider-Noir as a focus of style over substance, however. It’s more stylish like thing, as the series engages heavily with film noir’s thematic tropes. Ben is a world-weary old warrior, while Li’s enigmatic Cat falls squarely into the femme fatale archetype, going from crooner to double crosser in a fedora win.

Nicolas Cage was intended Spider-Noir.

Nicolas Cage in “Spider-Noir.”
Credit: Aaron Epstein / Prime

Film noir – and films of the ’30s in general – are important Spider-Noir because they are the key to Ben. As he revealed to Cat, after his transformation, he succumbed to the arachnid’s instincts. He had to go to the movies to relearn how to be human to actors.

That gives Cage free reign over film noir leading men, and he does it with aplomb. In Ben’s scenes with the people he’s closest to, like his secretary Janet (Karen Rodriguez) or his reporter friend Robbie (Lamorne Morris), he behaves naturally, with a tone of exasperation. However, once he’s out in the field, he dials the hard-boiled detective to 11. They ride like webs, alternating between looking and searching for their way out of danger.

Ben’s bag of tricks also includes disguise. He impersonates everything from a plumber to a doctor in his efforts to redeem his case, and Cage embraces a new outsider in each role. Viewers may be tempted to add these moments to their “Nicolas Cage losing shit” style compilation, but these moments, in addition to being more entertaining, are always motivated by the needs of the show. It’s rare Spider-Noir release Cage crash for memes. (Though the show does play up the meme-iness a bit, like when Morris pulls an incredibly strong impression of Cage out of context.)

Cage’s dedication to the strange role of “Spider-Man detective” is especially evident when Ben succumbs to his spider instincts. His body is amazing and strange, whether he is hurting himself in strange ways or just lying, moving, in his bed. While his voice worked Enter the Spider-Verse It’s fun, it’s moments like this, where you see Cage embodying Ben’s mysterious experience, that made me really understand why this game exists.

Between Cage’s functionality and unique style, Spider-Noir proves that there are still ways to revive superhero shows. All that matters is dedication.

All episodes of Spider-Noir premieres May 27 on Prime Video.