Written by Tanner Stein
Spider-Noir continues 2026’s wave of incredible superhero television, with its incredibly unique take on Spider-Man.
Nicholas Cage was first given the chance to play Spider-Man in Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It was clear that Cage, just by his voice work alone, was the perfect choice for Spider-Man Noir, bringing early 1930s energy the character was known for. Now, eight years later, we get to see that same energy brought to our screens in a live-action noir thriller.
The series finds private detective Ben Reilly (Nicholas Cage, National Treasure) five years after he quit being The Spider, thrust back into the role after mysterious men with powers keep popping up around New York City. The plot itself is nothing too far removed from any Spider-Man tale. The Spider, who was once the city’s protector, is now gone, allowing for a mob boss, in this case Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin), to rise and fill the power vacuum. Spider-Noir differentiates itself by delving into the noir genre. People talk with a transatlantic accent, the mayor is calling for an end to prohibition, and The Spider wears a fedora everywhere he goes.
Prime Video released the show in both black-and-white and in true-hue full color in order to keep that noir vibe while giving viewers who might not be so keen on watching a black-and-white television show an option. The show was filmed in black-and-white and recolored after the fact, meaning that no matter which version you choose to watch, you’re in for some beautiful cinematography. If you stick with the black-and-white, you’re subject to some amazingly crafted shots that reminisce on the ‘40s-style of noir films. If you pick the true-hue version, you’ll see colors that pop off the screen, making you ask yourself why can’t all Marvel projects look this way.
A series is nothing without its characters, and Spider-Noir makes sure to keep each one as compelling as the last. Cage, as Ben Reilly, captures all you can expect from a Spider-Man adaptation. He is quippy, he is charismatic, and he is fun to watch — all things you need if you’re trying to create a successful Spider-Man. While there is some clashing between his jokey Spider-Man half and the more serious mystery-noir half, Cage sells the character, where you want him constantly to be on screen, whether behind the mask or not.
The supporting cast all bring some charm into an otherwise run-of-the-mill New York City. There’s no Mary Jane, Flash Thompson, or Harry Osborn; instead, Spider-Noir gives us Felicia Hardy (Li Jun Li, Sinners), Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris, New Girl), and Janet Ruiz (Karen Rodriguez, The Hunting Wives). All help separate the series from other Spider-Man media, giving it its unique identity. In the past, Robbie Robertson was relegated to a reporter in The Daily Bugle; in Spider-Noir, he acts as Reilly’s right-hand man, helping him solve the mystery surrounding Silvermane and his crooks.
Villains are no stranger to Spider-Man, except this time they’re a bit more out there. Silvermane acts as the show’s big bad, with others working as his henchmen. Familiar faces like Sandman (Jack Hutson, Boardwalk Empire), Tombstone (Abraham Popoola, Andor), and the lesser-known Megawatt (Andrew Lewis Cladwell, The Matrix: Resurrections) help to build out some of the villains. While they all act as suitable antagonists, they end up becoming a bit one-note. After each of them gets introduced, they slowly become just more fodder for The Spider to take down. While their stories are compelling, they get overshadowed by the more interesting plot lines.
The issues with Spider-Noir end up having nothing to do with the show itself. Since Prime Video released the show all at once, allowing viewers to binge through, it leaves no time for the public to discuss and theorize. Numerous episodes end with cliffhangers that could’ve led to interesting theories on where the show may head or how the character would need to react. Instead, to discuss the show, viewers have to binge-watch to not be at risk of any spoilers. The extra time in between episode releases could’ve allowed for some of the CGI to be cleaned up, including the web-slinging scenes and Megawatt’s powers.
Spider-Noir is one of the most unique live-action pieces of Spider-Man media that we’ve ever gotten, as they take a fun idea for a character and bring it to life. The mystery of the series, while not the most jaw-dropping, is enticing and makes viewers want to immediately hit that next episode button. Spider-Noir, with its creative backstories and alternate versions of already existing characters, makes you ask why studios haven’t been producing more stories like this one.
Most importantly, Spider-Noir feels as if you are watching a comic book come to life. The shots look as though they’ve been taken off the page and dropped onto your screen. Since there is no waiting to get the final suit, viewers get dropped right into the action, allowing for a modern-noir, one filled with fight scenes and mystery, something that just isn’t seen all that often nowadays.
For Spider-Man fans, Spider-Noir is a treat that expands the mythos and gets us seeing more of the webhead on our screens. For comic fans, it’s an exciting story that uses all of its characters and its style to create a self-contained street-level superhero show. And for television fans, it’s a return to the noir genre that perfectly mixes itself within the modern superhero media landscape, allowing for a genre-mixed show like no other.
