There’s something about Spider-Man that has made him one of the most universally loved superheroes in comics, films and TV. Marvel and Sony’s collaborations have given fans some of the best incarnations of the character on-screen, and Nicolas Cage’s turn as Spider-Man Noir is among them. That holds true for the Academy Award-winner’s role in the Spider-Verse movies and now, in the new live-action TV series, Spider-Noir. Except this time, he’s a different variant of Spidey.
It’s part of the reason this story works so well — newcomers don’t need to do any homework, and comic book fans get to know Ben Reilly and his secret identity as The Spider. Premiering on Prime Video on May 27, the eight-episode first season of Spider-Noir isn’t a formulaic origin tale or an actiony superhero romp. In this story lies a witty, entertaining, evenly paced, moody mystery that pays homage to the noir genre in the best way. It’s so rare for Cage to play the lead in a television show — this is only his second time — that it almost feels like you should automatically tune in out of curiosity, and you should.
When the show opens, The Spider is in retirement. Cage’s Ben is a cynical, wisecracking private eye who’s naturally suspicious, sarcastic and a problem solver. He meets the intriguing Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li) and soon becomes entangled in the criminal underworld of Depression-era 1930s New York, a place where gangsters, politicians and the general public are used to making every word, job and dollar count. Ben has people in his corner who help him know when to stay in the shadows and when to step into a fight: his assistant Janet (Karen Rodriguez) and journalist friend Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris).
Ben Reilly isn’t sure he wants to be a hero.
At the top of the mob food chain is Silvermane (played by Brendan Gleeson), who likes to employ loyal henchmen to do his bidding. I can’t spoil who shows up as a villain, but they all play a role in the larger story here. It’s not just Silvermane’s activities that make Ben grapple with whether he should be The Spider or stick to the investigative work he’s used to. But while he’s figuring that out, Spider-Noir stylishly fulfills its duty to the genre with murder, kidnapping, duplicity and lots of brooding.
Aesthetically, this series doesn’t disappoint. The team behind it decided to offer viewers two ways to watch, either in “True-Hue Full Color” or “Authentic Black & White,” and you may find yourself doing what I did and alternating styles each episode. Streaming in black and white feels like a deluxe version that plunges you into the time period while simultaneously honoring Marvel’s comic books. Diagonal camera shots, lighting that falls at just the right angle and crisp close-ups make for striking visuals that mimic what you might see illustrated on a page. There’s a nightclub scene where the stage spotlight casts a halo effect on the singer, which could serve to underscore the character’s morality (or not).
That’s not to say you should skip the True Hue experience. If you do, you’ll miss out on the colors, craftsmanship and details in all the fashion, architecture and sights of the day. From Cat and Robbie’s outfits, to the art deco backgrounds, Sandman’s textured skin and The Spider’s suit, care has gone into everything you see. Pay attention, and you’ll notice things like a billboard for a real-life 1933 film.
See what I’m saying? Watch this show in both visual formats as a treat.
Cage seems to be enjoying his role, embodying the era with a vocal cadence similar to Humphrey Bogart (who’s said to be an inspiration for the show) and playing Spidey and Ben with the physicality he’s known for. His hero has his special senses intact, but he’s also somewhat clumsy, vulnerable and measured, and it’s fun to watch Cage’s take on this iteration of Spider-Noir. Li (known for her roles in Babylon and Sinners) gives Cat the nuance needed to show she’s a character who’s playing chess, not checkers, while Rodriguez is a delight as Janet, who is easily a favorite as Ben’s secretary and, at times, his protector.
While this has the trappings of a crime drama, not everything is serious; audiences will appreciate the sharp humor and goofier bits. Spider-Noir will also delight movie buffs who recognize how films like The Lady from Shanghai and LA Confidential influenced the series’ storytelling and style. Still, there’s web-slinging, acrobatics and even a falling scene that’s become part of Spidey’s cinematic signature. It’s a swing in the right direction with elements of romance, action, suspense and an origin story in a Spider-Man multiverse all its own.