Sony began this year with Madame Web, opening the 2024 Sony Spider-Man Universe with … a choice. Some enjoyed it; many did not. As the year comes to a close, we’re getting what is reportedly the final installment in Sony’s infamous Marvel adjacent superhero series, Kraven The Hunter. Kids, as I walked into the theater, I was intrigued. Dare I say it, I was even excited. For reasons I’m a bit ashamed to admit, this was on my “Most Anticipated” list for 2024. Would the oft-delayed comic book movie land the big trophy? Or will yet another Sony superhero miss their shot?
About Kraven the Hunter
Kraven The Hunter follows Sergi Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The young man breaks free from the ruthless oversight of his father (Russell Crowe) after a near-death experience. With freedom and a brand new set of skills, he sets off on a quest for vengeance as “The Hunter.” Fred Hechinger, Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott and Alessandro Nivola co-star in the movie. J.C. Chandor directs Kraven The Hunter from a script by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.
Let’s get started with a painful truth. I had an absolute blast with Madame Web. It scratched the same itch as something like The Swarm and Plan 9 from Outer Space. It may not always be intentional, but these movies have fun. Do with that what you will. Venturing in to see Kraven The Hunter, I had preconceived notions, but I also had hope. I needed this movie to revel in the crazy. I mean, the trailer looked pretty kooky. Kraven The Hunter didn’t necessarily need to be good, but it needed to be fun.
Kids, I’m frustrated to say Kraven The Hunter struggles to deliver the goods in any sense of the word. Those looking for a good comic book film will likely be left wanting, while those looking for a “good-bad movie” will be bored.
An Unwieldy Script
While Kraven The Hunter is certainly closer to a “good-bad movie,” it just isn’t as fun as it could be. Instead, the film struggles under the weight of an unwieldy script featuring lines like, “I’m called ‘The Foreigner’ because I don’t come from here.” Ariana DeBose, in particular, is weighed down by not only massive exposition dumps but also some of the clunkiest examples of questionable ADR.
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Unfortunately, the rushed and clunky narrative doesn’t allow the actors the room they need to dive into these characters. Aaron Taylor-Johnson really struggles under the weight of this. While there are certainly moments where his charisma shines through, this film is a Herculean undertaking. As not only the lead but also the “straight man,” he has nowhere to hide.
Interestingly, Kraven The Hunter rests on the shoulders of Alessandro Nivola and Russell Crowe in their villainous supporting roles. Both are having tremendous fun on-screen and aren’t afraid to inject an over-the-top color into their portrayals. While both are perhaps more than a little cartoonish, the mere fact that they are frivolous and fun in their roles makes them the most memorable parts of the film.
Left Wanting More
In the grand scheme of things, nothing here quite works. Kraven The Hunter left me strangely wanting more of everything the movie didn’t offer. There were a few moments of unintentional hilarity, but not enough.
Meanwhile, the critic in me was immediately sucked into the personable relationship between Sergei and Dmitri (Hechinger) as estranged brothers of an abusive father. Hechinger has been having a heck of a year, and he does great work in Kraven The Hunter, just not enough of it. He could make an impact with more time in the movie, and the film could land this powerful emotional beat.
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As the movie comes to an end, though, the pacing is just wrong. Kraven The Hunter is a bit too long already. However, once the main story is wrapped up, it attempts to set another plot point for a sequel that (as of this movie’s release) will not happen. In fact, as the film comes to a close, it seems like Kraven The Hunter was crafted merely as an origin story. The film doesn’t so much end but springboards to a new narrative. It’s intriguing but ultimately not fulfilling.
When all is said and done, Kraven The Hunter brings 2024 to an end on a thoroughly unmemorable note. This is not a movie that’s going to work for the loyal comic book readers. As a film, this isn’t memorable. Heck, it’s not even a solid “good-bad movie.” It pains me to say, but Kraven The Hunter shows the Sony extended superhero universe going out of 2024 with barely a whimper.
Kraven The Hunter opens in theaters around the country on December 13, 2024.
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