Sony’s 2023 short film “The Spider Within: A Spiderverse Story” details how even the most heroic people can find themselves in a battle they cannot win without the help of others. Directed by Jarelle Dampier and written by Khaila Amazan, the “Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse” sequel is a must watch for quick, thought-provoking entertainment.
The main character Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, finds himself dealing with the pressures of a typical teenage boy, school, girls, ect, combined with the weight of being a superhero. Morales’ character is extremely relatable, as many teens find themselves needing support from others to function on a day to day level, let alone the addition of being a crime fighting spider. The message that even the most strong need help sometimes is perfect in a time where the number of teens with anxiety and depression continues to rise. Jefferson Davis, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, plays a pivotal role in plot development, as an outsider looking into someone else’s frame of mind. Davis’s character of the father makes the film relatable to parents of children who struggle with mental illness.
The animation was very well done as massive, scary creatures like a giant spider and a completely blacked out version of Miles exemplified the fear that he was feeling in his head, and the dimly lit road during Miles’ walk home was a nice touch as the mood of loneliness was able to shine through.
The music choice was strong, as the title “Make it out Alive” relates to how the pressure of everyday life is hard for Miles to handle to the point where he cannot even enjoy some time with his father. Malachiii’s impressive vocal range in the song adds onto the high quality of the short film.
Overall, “The Spider Within: A Spiderverse Story” was sensational. The relatable message, eye-catching animation, and well thought out song choice make the short film a high quality sequel to Sony’s hit movie “Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse”, and a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
