‘Spider-Noir’ Review: Originality and Good Looks Make for a Solid, Exciting Debut

There is something about Spider-Man that has made him one of the world’s most beloved heroes in comics, movies and television. Marvel’s collaboration with Sony has given fans some of the best of the character on screen, and Nicolas Cage’s turn as Spider-Man Noir is among them. That’s true of 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 different from Spidey.

It’s part of the reason why this story works so well — newcomers don’t need to do any homework, and comic book fans are getting to know Ben Reilly and his secret knowledge as Spider. It continues Main Video on May 27, the eight-episode first season of Spider-Noir isn’t a formulaic origin tale or superhero romp. In this story lies a smart, fun, evenly paced, dynamic mystery that honors the noir genre at its best. It’s so rare for Cage to play the lead in a TV show — this is only his second — that you feel like you have to sing along out of curiosity, and rightly so.

When the show opens, the Spider retires. Cage’s Ben is a cynical, intelligent private eye who is suspicious by nature, sarcastic and a problem solver. He meets the charming Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li) and soon becomes embroiled in the criminal underbelly of Depression-era 1930s New York, a place where gangsters, politicians and the general public are used to make all names, jobs and dollars count. Ben has people in his corner who help him know when to stay in the shadows and when to join the fight: his assistant Janet (Karen Rodriguez) and reporter friend Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris).

At the top of the mob food chain is Silvermane (played by Brendan Gleeson), who likes to hire loyal people to do his bidding. I can’t spoil who appears as a villain, but they all play a part in the larger story here. It’s not just Silvermane’s work that makes Ben conflicted about whether he should be Spider-Man or stick to his familiar detective work. But while thinking that, Spider-Noir perfectly fulfills its role in the genre with killing, kidnapping, repetition and a lot of imagination.

Aesthetically, this series does not disappoint. The team behind it decided to give viewers two viewing modes, either “True-Hue Full Color” or “Authentic Black & White,” and you might find yourself doing what I did and switching between styles every episode. The black and white cast feels like a deluxe version that throws you into the era while at the same time paying homage to Marvel’s comic books. Diagonal camera shots, light falling at the right angle and close-ups create a stunning visual that mimics what you would see displayed on the page. There is a nightclub scene where the stage lighting creates a halo effect on the singer, which may emphasize the character’s behavior (or not).

That doesn’t mean you should skip the True Hue experience. If you do, you will miss the colors, creativity and details in all the fashion, architecture and sights of the day. From Cat and Robbie’s costumes, art deco backgrounds, Sandman’s stitched skin and spider suit, care has gone into everything you see. Pay attention, and you’ll see things like a billboard for a real-life 1933 movie.

Cage seems to be enjoying his role, encompassing the era with a Humphrey Bogart-like voice (which is said to inspire the show) and playing Spidey and Ben with the body he’s known for. His hero has his unwavering special senses, but he’s also quirky, vulnerable and measured, and it’s fun to watch Cage take on this iteration of Spider-Noir. Li (known for her roles in Babylon and Sinners) gives Cat the contrast she needs to show she’s a character who plays chess, not checkers, while Rodriguez is delightful as Janet, an easy favorite as Ben’s secretary and, at times, his protector.

While this has the trappings of a crime drama, it’s not all serious; the audience will enjoy the sharp humor and good beats. Spider-Noir will also delight moviegoers who see how films like The Lady of Shanghai and LA Confidential influenced the series’ storytelling and style. Still, there’s web-slinging, acrobatics and even a falling scene that has become part of Spidey’s cinematic signature. Throwing in the right direction with elements of romance, action, suspense and an origin story in the Spider-Man variety.