“Kraven the Hunter,” Sony’s latest foray into its Spider-Man-adjacent cinematic universe, has done the unthinkable: it made “Morbius” look like a box office titan. With an opening weekend barely scraping together $11 million against a reported $110 million budget, one has to wonder if even the title character’s animal allies skipped this one. And honestly, who could blame them?
From the moment “Kraven” slinked onto screens in its R-rated glory, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be your average Marvel flick. No quippy heroes or dazzling CGI spectacle here. Instead, we got muscular men in leather vests growling into the void—a far cry from the breezy surfer girls and enchanting witches who actually manage to fill theaters. If “Kraven” was supposed to be edgy, it landed somewhere between “too much” and “not nearly enough.”
A Story That Hunts, But Never Finds
“Kraven the Hunter” promised a gritty antihero tale, following the exploits of Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as he battles moral dilemmas, familial grudges, and lions? But instead of a tightly wound character study, audiences were treated to a muddled mess of animal-themed metaphors and heavy-handed dialogue. The movie can’t decide if it’s an art-house exploration of man versus nature or a discount action flick where people occasionally yell things like, “I am the apex predator!” Spoiler: Kraven is no apex predator. He’s barely an apex disappointment.
The plot plods along like a wounded wildebeest, weighed down by exposition dumps and melodramatic brooding. And while Aaron Taylor-Johnson certainly looks the part of a rugged hunter, his performance seems stuck between “method actor” and “man who just realized his paycheck will bounce.” It’s a shame, too, because Taylor-Johnson has the chops to elevate mediocre material. Unfortunately, in “Kraven,” the material is less “mediocre” and more “stale roadkill.”
R-Rated…For No Reason
Sony touted “Kraven” as its first R-rated Marvel film, a bold choice that ultimately backfired. Instead of using the rating to explore complex themes or deliver high-stakes action, the movie leans into gratuitous violence and awkward profanity. Heads roll (literally), but none of it feels earned or impactful. It’s like watching a nature documentary directed by a teenager who just discovered horror movies.
The R-rating also alienates the broader audience that typically flocks to Marvel films. Unlike Deadpool’s sharp wit or Logan’s emotional gravitas, “Kraven” uses its rating as an excuse to add more blood without adding more substance. The result? A film that’s too edgy for kids but too empty for adults.
Special Effects, or Lack Thereof
Marvel movies have set a high bar for visual effects, but “Kraven” trips over it spectacularly. The CGI animals look like they wandered out of a 2010 Xbox game, and the action sequences lack the creativity or coherence to make up for it. There’s one scene where Kraven takes down a group of poachers while wolves lurk in the background, and it’s so poorly lit and choreographed that you’re left wondering if the filmmakers were trying to save on electricity.
A Flop of Epic Proportions
The numbers don’t lie: “Kraven the Hunter” is officially Sony’s worst Marvel opening to date, outpacing even “Madame Web” and “Morbius” in its lackluster debut. At least “Morbius” gave us meme-worthy moments. “Kraven” doesn’t even have the decency to fail interestingly. The film’s blandness is its greatest crime, leaving audiences with nothing to love, nothing to hate, and nothing to remember.
Sony reportedly spent $110 million on this production, and one can only imagine the boardroom conversations now. Perhaps they’re brainstorming ways to spin this flop into a cult classic. Or maybe they’re drafting a strongly worded letter to Disney begging for Spider-Man’s return. Either way, “Kraven” is unlikely to claw its way out of the red.
Final Verdict
“Kraven the Hunter” might be about a man who dominates the animal kingdom, but the film itself is at the bottom of the cinematic food chain. It’s a poorly paced, poorly written, and poorly received mess that barely scratches the surface of its potential. If you’re looking for a Marvel movie to sink your teeth into, this one is best left on the shelf—or in the wild.
1 out of 5 stars. But hey, at least the lions got screen time.
