TV Review: Season One of ‘Spider Noir’ is a Welcome Change of Pace for the Superhero Genre

Spider-Noir has been one of the more intriguing superhero properties in recent memory. That is especially after the characters’ scene-stealing appearances in the animated Spider-Verse films. Now portrayed by Nicolas Cage in a live-action format, Amazon’s Spider-Noir series takes its titular character and world in exciting directions. The season follows Ben Reilly (Cage), a private investigator in 1930s New York. Grappling with his past being the only superhero (known as The Spider), Reilly is searching for purpose. When he stumbles upon a new case, Reilly is forced to bring his past crime-fighting talents to his present.

Something has to be made clear off the bat regarding Spider-Noir as a series. Diehard superhero fans may leave feeling disappointed. As the title suggests, Spider-Noir is very much a detective story first and foremost. That focus leads to a show playing into the noir genre’s tropes, which may not work for everyone. The show’s noir-focused tone truly hinges upon the lead performance of Nicolas Cage. With an actor of his caliber at the helm, it’s easy to say that the performance is one of a kind. Over eight episodes, Cage is delivering such a buoyant, fun, and energetic lead performance that you can’t take your eyes off him.

In his performance as Ben Reilly, Cage is required to deliver an emotional two-hander in his portrayal. The script calls on him to be a tortured World War 1 veteran with weird idiosyncrasies, and simultaneously a reluctant, down-on-his-luck former superhero and private investigator. Many have considered Cage to be a “strange” performer in his later career. This includes weird tics he applies to his characters and the general strangeness of the roles he’s chosen. In Spider-Noir, what makes the performance so captivating is that the role feels like it’s thrown in a blender. Cage balances strangeness, heroism, and an old-school private-eye mentality to an effective degree. The quirky humor and noir tone almost always land, especially against a colorful array of villains.

No matter the version of Spider-Man, he always needs a collection of menacing adversaries. Simultaneously, they must also be able to keep up with the tone established in Nicolas Cage’s performance. Across the board, those performances make an impression because they’re saddled with a different kind of challenge. Led by Brendan Gleeson as the vicious gangster Silvermane, he has to deliver a classical villainous gangster portrayal. Like Cage, Gleeson is in on the joke about being an over-the-top, old-school gangster, making it entirely enjoyable to watch. The same could be said for Silvermane’s subordinates, who serve as the deep-cut comic-book connections of the series. These include versions of classic (and underseen) Spider-Man villains like Sandman, Tombstone, and MegaWatt. All of their individual tones fit seamlessly, delivering both villainy and tragedy. The results of which craft a well-rounded homage to comic lore.

If there are any shortcomings with Spider-Noir, the series suffers from an occasionally languid pace. Classic noir stories focus on intricate plots with twists and turns, over action. Spider-Noir definitely has those twists and surprises, but some of those are more effective in execution than others. Savvy fans will be able to predict these turns, which could detract from the fun. That said, in my view, that did not detract from the show’s overall sense of pleasure. That is evident in the smaller moments with Ben and his friends Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris) and Janet (Karen Rodriguez), as well as femme fatale Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li). Those moments have an understated sense of humor and heart, connecting seamlessly to superhero mythology and grounding the stakes.

Nothing in the series would work without the aesthetic choices, which are the two different versions of the show. One of those being a “Classic Noir” version, or a “True-Hue” option. Having seen both versions, it can be said that each one has its own merits. Your likeness to what you watch will obviously be a preferential choice. That said, I specifically want to highlight the “Classic Noir” version. In this version, what feels so incredibly impressive is the attention to detail. Over eight episodes, a love for classic noir stories shines brightly, with a focus on building its mood. This includes a jazzy score and a palpable sense of place established by the aesthetic. It feels more inventive than a simple superhero story, making for engaging television. It’s an exciting, fresh perspective that feels wholly different from the “True-Hue” version.

The Technicolor “True-Hue” version offers an entirely different viewing experience. This version of the series has an undoubtedly vivid color palette. This allows it to vary from the “Classic Noir” version in its focus on the series spectacle. For the more comic book-loving fans, this will be their preferred version. Besides the vibrancy, this version feels specifically like a comic book come to life. While similar to your standard superhero fare, Nicolas Cage’s fun performance delivers twofold in these versions. His big personality in this “True Hue” version fits perfectly within the bright comic-book format feeling ripped from the page.

Spider Noir is a welcome change of pace in the superhero genre. At its core, the character’s superhero lore is the same. We have a conflicted protagonist whose dark past comes back to haunt him. With a performance as committed as Nicolas Cage, it’s simply hard to take your eyes off the screen. Add in classic superhero banter, a noir aesthetic, and, of course, action, and the options from both versions have bountiful results. The darker tone may certainly not appease all fans, but those willing to go along for the ride will not be disappointed. I, for one, certainly hope that this will not be the last visit to this world.