Spider-Noir is a comic book adaptation starring Nicolas Cage in a quirky period setting, featuring a bold new take on conventional Spider-Man lore. The show spins off from Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, where Cage voiced the initial animated appearance of the character. The enigmatic actor returns for the live-action multi-colored series in a fun noir thriller setting. More in my Spider-Noir review.
Please note that the following review is completely spoiler-free.
From the minds of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Spider-Noir is an incredibly well-made noir series that successfully adapts one of the most iconic comic book characters into a completely new world with a new story that keeps the ethos of the character alive and well. The character first appeared in Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man Noir series from 2009, and became a fan-favourite, appearing in many other titles and storylines since.
Spider-Noir is a great proof of concept of how the Spider-Man story and its now iconic themes and morals can work in a variety of different ways. Spider-Noir’s approach may very well be the building block of how to reinvent existing characters with unique artistic visions that may eskew from established potrayals, but can still add to the character’s legacy. Considered one of the most iconic (and most licensed) characters ever, Spider-Man has never been adapted like the way this Amazon Prime original series does. It’s a big swing that works incredibly well. And even more surprisingly, this iteration is played by an actor who has never done anything on TV: the great Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage’s Performance Drives the High-Energy Pacing
The series is an adaptation of the well-known Spider-Man story, but in a new world, with an entirely different character. Kind of. Ben Reilly (Cage) is a private investigator in 1930’s New York, with a checkered superhero past. The series opens with Cage narrating and setting the stage for this version of Spider-Man—The Spider, a crime-fighting superhuman hero who fights for the people against villains like Silvermane (Brendon Gleeson). But a tragedy forces The Spider to hang it up for good, allowing Silvermane to extend his reach, while the city fell into despair around him, as did Reilly himself.
Spider-Noir starts off strong and never really loses that energy or pacing through its 8-episode run. This is largely due to the writing, but also to Cage’s performance. Cage finds a way to imbue this performance with all of the emotions: pathos, rage, pity, fear, humour, charm, all seamlessly and never taking away from any of the events or story beats on screen. It’s a huge feat in and of itself, and no other actor could have pulled it off.
A More Mature And Grounded Spin On The Spider-Man Lore
The story of Spider-Noir is simple: this is a world devoid of heroes, notwithstanding The Spider. So when random criminals start appearing with superpowers, causing fear and destruction, the long-retired superhero has to finally deal with his demons and put on the suit one more time. I’m being dramatic, but that’s actually in line with the vibe of the show. Weave in some scorned lovers, gangsters, political corruptions and love triangles– and we’ve really got something here!
Creator Oren Uziel, along with producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, really lean into the hardboiled, noir-detective elements of this story. Every actor understood the assignment and leaned into it with conviction. Making even the skeptical of audiences completely invest in this world and its melodramatic and over-the-top characters. It’s all a wonderful symphony of creative elements coming together. And despite the period setting, the story and its adaptation stay true to the ideals of Spider-Man stories we’ve come to know and love.
Spider-Noir Allows For Maximum CAGE!
Grappling with loss, fighting responsibility, regret and atonement, all expertly handled in the show with a more mature adult lens on Spider-Man. While the allure of Spidey has always been about a young man figuring out his (superhero) life, making the character a middle aged (ha!) man with nothing left to lose, puts a unique spin on the character’s eventual journey back to heroism. The paralells to the OG Spider-Man story are there, but they take on new meaning, a new context, which is really what makes an adaptation so successful: seeding the familiar into the reinvention.
Cage is astounding here. It’s clear to see why the inquisitive actor chose Spider-Noir as his first foray into television. The series allows Cage to indulge the actor in him, performing the character with as many shades of wild choices as a feature film would never allow him. (Not that it’s ever stopped him.) But the Cage-isms work here, in the context of the show and Ben Reilly’s job. As a Private Eye, Reilly needs to often go undercover to go where others can’t. This is where Cage shines, as he gets to play every over-the-top noir caricature he can think of. And honestly, they’re brilliant. It’s the humour that is the much-needed sharp left turn from the more potboiler elements of the show and a refreshing break from the bleak moments.
A Spoiler-Free Spider-Noir Review
Spider-Noir does this incredible act of creating an entirely new story with new characters that is somehow still rooted deep in the original source material. And I mean as an adaptation of Spider-Man, the mainline story, and not the Spider-Man Noir story in the comics. Whether for legal reasons or not, a Ben Reilly who goes through his own transformation into a Spider-themed superhero in the 30’s is reflective of all the thematic elements of the best Spider-Man stories, with unique twists for this version of the story.
The new series works because of its foray into new and interesting territory when it comes to the Spider-Man franchise. This is most evident in the way the show handles its action sequences. Never trying to one-up the live-action features or create a new style of web-slinging, the series keeps its grounded tone even in the superhero action scenes. While still retaining what makes Spidey so much fun, the quippy banter and general in-over-his-head-ness.
Spider-Noir is visually Stunning in both black & white and True Hue.
The smaller television scale of the series means that its fight scenes aren’t massive, special-effect-driven affairs (despite plenty of VFX still), but rather just characters duking it out with their respective powers. The creativity here is figuring out how a Noir Spider-Man moves and utilizes his powers differently than the modern take of the character. But true to its themes, Cage still keeps the tradition of wisecracking with bad guys from behind the mask alive in this version, too.
Spider-Noir is a visually stunning show. Released in both Black and White and True Hue (fancy for bright colour), each version has something unique to offer. The Black and White sells the noir-setting much faster and easier, where as the superhero scenes are presented much more interestingly in a full colour version. But both feature incredible composition, not just of superheroics, but of generally stunning images within the show that stun and awe.A
The talented ensemble cast math Cage’s eclectic energy.
Image via Amazon Prime Video.
A backlit Kat Hardy (Li Jun Li) playing a lounge singer, with the light dancing in tandem with cigar smoke, but also seemingly to the beat of the song, are hypnotic sequences. Even the superhero elements are smooth and to the point. The series doesn’t do fancy web-slinging or try to reinvent the wheel, but rather choreograph compelling action suitable to the time that’s engaging to watch. And Spider-Noir is a show that is easy to binge-watch and re-watch.
The series is only enhanced by a massively talented star cast that is truly compelling to watch. The aforementioned Li matches pace with Cage excellently. While I have had to suspend my disbelief a little harder to buy the romance between the two, Li is excellent here. The moments of chemistry between the two are some of the more interesting scenes of the show.
The series adapts classic Spider-Man’s Rogues’ gallery for the 30s.
Adding to the cast is Jack Houston’s take on the iconic Spider-Man villain, Sandman, aka Flint Marko. Huston is great as a sympathetic antagonist whose reluctant powers force him back into a life of crime. His boss, Silvermane, played by Brendon Gleeson, feels the most at ease in this setting. Veteran Gleeson imibibes Silvermane with a kind of subtle cruelty and intimidation that is never too much or too little. Probably the most even-keeled performance of the show.
The true scene stealer, though, is Reilly’s assistant / sidekick, Janet (Karen Rodriguez). While playing the archetypal receptionist who is also the caretaker of a self-destructive private eye, she does it with so much fun. She steals every scene, despite sharing that screen with veterans like Cage and Lamorne Morris. Playing this universe’s Robbie Robertson, Morris is a treat to watch after Cage. He’s the voice of reason to Reilly’s tortured hero. Cage and Lamorne’s interplay during key scenes of Robbie trying to convince Reilly to become the Spider again, in vain, are some of the show’s most interesting character work. It’s where this iteration of the superhero separates itself from its original counterpart.
Spider-Noir is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
All in all, Spider-Noir works wonderfully as an incredibly high-risk gambit that paid off, not just critically, but will be sure to please audiences of all types. The adaptation proves that the foundational themes of the Spider-Man mythos can stretch into other new genres without losing the essence of what made the character endure for decades. Centred around a spectacular performance from Nicolas Cage, elevated by the writing and support of a powerhouse ensemble, Spider-Noir shuts down all superhero-fatigue discourse. Seamlessly balancing the moody and visually stunning 1930s aesthetic, with immensely relatable characters and brillant art direction, creator Oren Uziel delivers something rare: a comic book adaptation that feels completely original yet deeply respectful of its source material.
Do you think the usual Nicolas Cage movie quirks work in this period era adaptation of a modern super hero? Let’s debate your favourite Spidey variants in the comments below! And be sure to follow Shah at @theshahshahid on X, if you appreciate sharp, spoiler-free critiques on the latest superhero affairs, see!
