The first reactions to Sony Pictures’ Kraven the Hunter are now online following an initial round of press screenings, and they’re… not quite as bad as we were expecting?
The studio’s previous SSU movies, especially Madame Web and Morbius, pretty much killed any hype for this R-rated solo outing for the popular Spider-Man villain, but it sounds like there might be some fun to be had.
A handful of people loved the film, and while the majority of the reactions are definitely leaning negative, the gruesome violence and action scenes do seem to be a big selling point. The script, acting, VFX, and pretty much every other aspect of the movie?
Well, have a read through the X posts for yourselves below, and we’ll continue to update as more come in.
The full review embargo lifts tomorrow at 3pm EST, so be sure to check back for our verdict then.
A big ol bucket of NAH. While I liked the action, it cutaway from it so quick one didn’t get to enjoy it! AWFUL acting, terrible script and a waste of Aaron Taylor Johnson, who I actually enjoyed in the role! Wayyyy too quick, not a great story… farewell. pic.twitter.com/is3HBwTLXh
— Leo Rydel (@GeeklyGoods) December 11, 2024
#KravenTheHunter is a knockout! Aaron Taylor-Johnson embodies Kraven with his physique, charisma, and raw savagery. The R-rating pays off big time. This film is bloody, raw, and brutal while offering a story that does this iconic villain justice.
I am dying for more… pic.twitter.com/YAT8KEZeah
— Sean Tajipour (@Seantaj) December 11, 2024
Just saw #KravenTheHunter and it’s a total BLAST! There are lots of references to the Spider-Man lore that will wow fans. Great cinematic action, the R-Rating was a delight. Aaron Taylor-Johnon really embodied the character, phenomenal performance. Don’t miss it December 13th! pic.twitter.com/gGPXajgqYG
— Davy (@davybirth) December 11, 2024
So… I’m seeing other people post reactions so I guess the social media embargo has lifted….? #KravenTheHunter
I LOVED IT
As good as the first #Venom
I would watch it again!
Review tomorrow 3pm EST pic.twitter.com/AIqIJ69Eko
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) December 11, 2024
Just saw the #KravenTheHunter and I gotta say what a entertaining movie @SonyPictures one of the best SSU movies after venom it, the gore and action where great. pic.twitter.com/3fuLUioj41
— Jonathan | The Magicians(@1969ChandlerBin) December 11, 2024
KRAVEN THE HUNTER is one of the most souless movies ever made. Even JC Chandor has made something so soulless and generic. “Kraven with a K”#KravenTheHunter pic.twitter.com/bpLqeUIUwO
— Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets) December 11, 2024
Just left the world premiere of @KravenTheMovie I’m telling yall right now, this movie is
!! The acting, the cinematography, the music, the writing, trust me, yall know I don’t judge lightly………… THIS IS ONE OF THEM!! From beginning to end!! J.C. CHANDOR
Go see… pic.twitter.com/5ha6s50P5N
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) December 11, 2024
I want my money back. And the screening was free. #KravenTheHunter
— Colton (@ColtonOgburn) December 11, 2024
Saw #KravenTheHunter tonight and why do CGI animals in 2024 look worse than the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park from over 30 years ago? CGI blockbusters need to make changes because somehow they are looking more and more unrealistic. The JP T-Rex is still the gold standard. pic.twitter.com/IxJM6E7gIS
— Ken Murray (@murraymaker) December 11, 2024
Just saw #KravenTheHunter All I can say for now is… woof… Review drops tomorrow
Least I got to bring along @RealBeardLawyer ! pic.twitter.com/mShggsdcjW
— Andy Signore (@andysignore) December 11, 2024
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe doesn’t go with a bang, but a whimper.#KravenTheHunter is clichéd at all turns. ATJ tries to make the most of it, yet the script holds it back. Action is a bit fun, but it’s muddled with much pompous exposition.
Full @HollywoodHandle review soon. pic.twitter.com/l3KETEvbYu
— Chris Gallardo(@chrisagwrites) December 11, 2024
Just saw the #KravenTheHunter and I gotta say what a entertaining movie @SonyPictures one of the best SSU movies after venom it, the gore and action where great. pic.twitter.com/3fuLUioj41
— Jonathan | The Magicians
#KravenTheHunter is at its best when people are just getting brutally murdered or torn to shreds by someone or something. It has some really fun parts and some really awful parts. The acting is god awful horrendous this movie would have worked better as a silent movie with just… pic.twitter.com/kTwl45AeAn
— MOVIEDEATHS (@MOVIEDEATHBLOWS) December 11, 2024
“Kraven the Hunter is the visceral story about how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Set before his notorious vendetta with Spider-Man, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the titular character in the R-rated film.”
Kraven the Hunter is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, produced by Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel Entertainment. Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it is intended to be the sixth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The film was directed by J. C. Chandor and written by Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, and Richard Wenk.
In addition to Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role, Ariana DeBose will play Calypso, a voodoo priestess and Kraven’s on-off love interest (in the comics, at least); Fred Hechinger is Dmitri Smerdyakov, aka the Chameleon, who is Kraven’s half-brother; Alessandro Nivola will play Aleksei Sytsevich, aka the Rhino, and Christopher Abbott will portray another villain known as the Foreigner.
Sony’s next “SMU” movie has been rated R for “Strong bloody violence, and language.”
