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After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most.
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most.
The film's dominant themes align with progressive values, explicitly touching on racial justice, critiques of capitalism, and challenging oppressive systemic structures, despite some nuanced character portrayals. The narrative champions individual agency and collective action to dismantle established, inequitable systems.
The film prominently features a biracial protagonist, Miles Morales, in the central role, supported by a diverse cast of characters from various cultural backgrounds across the multiverse. Its narrative explicitly emphasizes themes of diversity and inclusion, centering on the protagonist's unique identity and his challenge to established systems.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse offers a positive, albeit subtle, portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes through allegorical character arcs. Miles Morales' and Gwen Stacy's experiences of identity struggle, exclusion, and self-discovery resonate deeply with queer audiences, providing a meaningful and empathetic parallel to LGBTQ+ journeys of acceptance.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse does not explicitly feature trans characters. However, it includes subtextual elements and visual cues, such as a 'Protect Trans Kids' poster in Gwen Stacy's room, and an allegorical interpretation of Gwen's identity struggles and her father's acceptance, which resonate with trans experiences. These elements contribute to a net positive portrayal by emphasizing themes of acceptance, understanding, and allyship.
The film features Gwen Stacy (Spider-Woman) who engages in close-quarters physical combat against the male antagonist Vulture. Utilizing her enhanced agility, strength, and combat skills, she successfully fights and contributes to his defeat. Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) also participates in this physical confrontation, aiding in the victory.
Jessica Drew, a character canonically established as white in Marvel Comics, is portrayed as a Black woman in the film, fulfilling the definition of a race swap.
All prominent and established characters from the Spider-Man canon, including various Spider-People variants, retain their original genders as depicted in source material or prior adaptations. No significant character undergoes a gender swap.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources