“Madame Web” was, without a doubt, a failure. The Marvel franchise has frequently faced criticism, with many reviewers denouncing its action-oriented films as extravagant yet ultimately unfulfilling entertainment for the general public.
However, the Spider-Man spin-off featuring Dakota Johnson stood out for the particularly negative reception it received. Jerry, a critic from New York Front, characterized the film as “hampered by poor dialogue, minimal character development, an uninspiring antagonist, and various elements reminiscent of low-budget cinema.”
In addition to the unfavorable reviews, the film performed poorly at the box office, earning a mere $15.3 million during its opening weekend, in stark contrast to its production budget of $80 million.
Tony Vinciquerra, the chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which financed the film, offered a different perspective. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Vinciquerra, who is set to resign in January, attributed the film’s lackluster performance to the media’s purportedly negative portrayal surrounding its release.
He stated, “‘Madame Web’ did not succeed in theaters because the press was relentless in their criticism. For some reason, the media seemed opposed to our efforts in creating films like ‘Kraven (the Hunter)’ and ‘Madame Web,’ leading to their harsh reviews.”
“Kraven the Hunter,” another project within the Spider-Man universe released earlier this month, also experienced disappointing box office results. The backlash against “Madame Web” extended beyond critics.
Dakota Johnson herself appeared to express reservations about the film. During the promotional tour, she remarked to Bustle, “Regrettably, I am not surprised by how this has unfolded.”
Reflecting on the influence of studio decision-making, Johnson commented, “I have long believed that audiences are very perceptive, yet executives seem to have started doubting that.”
Vinciquerra attributed much of the blame for the need to reconsider future film strategies to critics. “I believe we must reassess our approach, as it has been adversely affected,” he stated in an interview with the LA Times.
“If we release another film, it will inevitably face harsh criticism, regardless of its quality.” His remarks come at a time when major studios are finding it increasingly difficult to draw audiences to theaters.
While films like “Wicked” and “Barbie” have achieved success, they remain exceptions in a challenging landscape. A report from cinema researcher Laura Carollo indicated that box-office revenue in North American theaters fell by 11.5% from January to October compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
Despite these challenges, Vinciquerra appears to be stepping down from his leadership role with a degree of indifference towards the evolving industry dynamics. “One certainty is that the demand for entertainment remains strong,” he remarked, “though it is evolving slightly.”
