Spider-Noir review: Nicolas Cage is pitch-perfect in this Marvel spin-off

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Nicolas Cage is experiencing a career resurgence that isn’t getting enough recognition. It’s easy to forget that, after winning an Oscar, he went through a period of starring in a lot of low-budget movies that didn’t get wide releases, and even his fans started to criticize them.

His career rebounded in 2018 with two very different but successful projects: the unsettling horror film Mandy and the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In the latter, he voiced a unique version of Spider-Man, making a memorable impact despite the relatively small role.

Nicolas Cage’s performance as a tough, 1930s private detective who secretly fights crime as The Spider was so popular, he’s now getting his own movie. That movie is Spider-Noir – it’s probably more than we needed, but it’s still fun.

Thankfully, this series doesn’t rely on needing to know previous stories like many modern franchises do. It’s completely separate from the Spider-Verse movies, so you can jump right in without any prior knowledge. This also lets the show develop deeper themes and become more than just a comedy, giving it enough weight to fill a full eight episodes.

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Years after a difficult retirement as Spider-Man, Ben Reilly (Cage) now works as a private investigator. He gets caught up in a complex case involving mob boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), his singer Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), and the emergence of people with superpowers.

The show deliberately evokes the feel of old black-and-white Hollywood detective movies, and while some might see this as a superficial trick, it’s done so well that it’s easy to forgive. Filmed in striking black and white (though a color version is also available), and with scripts that capture the dramatic style of the genre, it’s clear that a lot of passion went into creating Spider-Noir.

Sometimes, the show feels less like a typical Marvel production and more like a classic detective story, with Luke Cage often playing the private investigator rather than a superhero. Nicolas Cage fully commits to the role, bringing a charismatic and witty energy to the cynical detective, even making self-deprecating jokes. While his character’s sad history is somewhat predictable, it grounds him in a believable world, and still allows Cage to showcase his unique and quirky acting style.

He quickly feels comfortable with the show’s unique style, but it takes others a little longer to adjust. Lamorne Morris (known from Fargo) and Li Jun Li (from Sinners) eventually find their rhythm playing journalist Robbie Robertson and performer Cat Hardy.

Unfortunately, Gleeson doesn’t fully embrace the film’s over-the-top style – he plays Silvermane in a way that feels surprisingly restrained, unlike someone like Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol. He starts off strong, but by the middle of the movie, his performance feels a bit underwhelming, which isn’t what you’d expect from Spider-Noir’s main villain.

Even for a show built around a mystery, the main plot feels surprisingly scattered. The investigation often feels aimless and drifts around, especially when it involves Silvermane and his crew – characters inspired by classic Spider-Man villains, but far less impactful.

Despite some flaws in the plot, the show is saved by its charming characters and striking visuals. Spider-Noir, in particular, is surprisingly good for a side story, and actor Cage delivers a fantastic performance as the central figure that makes it all work.

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV and streaming drama and comedy for TopMob. Before that, he contributed to Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-05-22 17:39