The latest installment in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe hit theaters this week, but it’s not exactly receiving a hero’s welcome from critics. Madame Web stars Dakota Johnson and her lack of star power in a tale that simply falls flat, leaving viewers disappointed.
The Movie
Madame Web, which stars Dakota Johnson in the titular role premiered on February 14th amid a flurry of mixed reviews. In the film, Johnson portrays Cassandra Web, a New York City paramedic who discovers her newfound ability to see into the future. She utilizes this gift to protect three young women, played by Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, and Isabella Merced, from the clutches of the villain Ezekiel Sims, played by Tahar Rahim.
The Reviews
Madame Web‘s journey to the silver screen hasn’t been smooth, with its current Rotten Tomatoes score standing at a disappointing 14% on the Tomatometer. This figure represents a downward trend from earlier in the film’s week, with the audience score hovering at a modest 54%. Critics haven’t been kind either, labeling the film as “lifeless.” However, some critics were quick to clarify that the movie’s failure wasn’t the lead actress’s fault. In fact, one wrote, “For much of Madame Web, even when it turns bad, it’s a pleasure to see Johnson in this kind of movie.” Moviegoers echoed critics’ disappointment, with one person writing, “They really messed up a character with so much potential.” Ouch.
Johnson’s Surprising Reveal
Interestingly, Johnson herself has yet to watch the movie. She confessed to avoiding her own premieres and admitted she doesn’t know if and when she’ll watch the movie. However, Johnson was quick to clarify that this wasn’t anything against Madame Web. She’s only seen “some” of the films she’s starred in throughout her career, in order to “not have an existential crisis.” She went on to explain, “For me, not watching my movies is self-care.” She also admitted that she didn’t know if her performance in this film would be “good at all.”
As of the time of writing, Madame Web is in theaters, so you can go see it if you want to – or you can watch a train wreck instead for the same results.