Netflix has recently added a Marvel movie that some people find incredibly enjoyable but which also caused quite a divide among viewers right after it was first shown in cinemas.
"Kraven the Hunter," which debuted in cinemas back in December 2024, has now been added to the vast collection of the leading streaming platform starting from March 13. Despite not being an official addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this film brings numerous well-known comic book figures to life, with a particular focus on prominent Spider-Man antagonists.
The movie's synopsis reads: "Kraven's complex relationship with his ruthless father starts him down a path of vengeance, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared."
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This title is part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe series, centered around the iconic adversaries of the wall-crawler. Characters such as Morbius, Venom, and Madame Web fall under this category. As of now, Venom stands out with not just one but two movies released, achieving notable financial success at the box office. The strategy behind these releases aims to leverage the popularity of Marvel properties within their own cinematic universe, utilizing content where Sony retains ownership rights, according to various sources. the Mirror US .
The film Kraven allegedly had a production cost between $110 million and $130 million but grossed approximately just over half of that sum, totaling roughly $60 million at the box office. In this movie, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the main protagonist alongside Russell Crowe portraying his father. Famous for his performances in movies such as Kick-Ass andBullet Train, Taylor-Johnson is considered among the frontrunners for the part of the next James Bond. Additionally, he is slated to feature in the forthcoming zombie follow-up titled 28 Years Later.
The antihero movie has sparked mixed reactions among viewers. An individual shared their perspective on social media, saying, "Certain films linger in your mind for precisely the incorrect reasons. 'Kraven the Hunter' falls into this category—it’s an overly ambitious yet completely unsuccessful endeavor to narrate a somber tale about an antihero, ultimately coming off as though it were meant to be comical rather than serious."
Someone else added: "This film had the potential to be a deep, realistic exploration of one of Marvel’s most recognizable anti-heroes but ended up as an unenthusiastic and disorganized jumble, seeming more tailored for launching spin-offs rather than delivering a cohesive narrative."
Nevertheless, not all reactions to the movie are unfavorable. Certain viewers appeared to appreciate it, and it could gain renewed popularity later on. Netflix One spectator expressed their view, stating: "A minority viewpoint here: I genuinely thought this movie was incredibly engaging, featuring underlying motifs about our sense of belonging and environmental conservation without being overly preachy."
The background story of Kraven was executed quite effectively, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson shines in the action sequences. Although I'm not familiar with the original material, the movie managed to keep me engaged from start to finish as an independent film. Here’s hoping it garners a dedicated cult following someday.
Someone else shared their perspective, stating: "Every single Marvel film doesn’t necessarily become an instant hit akin to Iron Man right from the start. Given the critical feedback, I anticipated the worst and nearly missed watching this entirely. Thankfully, I decided otherwise. The movie turned out to be enjoyable with plenty of thrilling scenes. While it wasn’t perfect, it remained highly engaging overall."
Kraven the Hunter can be streamed on Netflix.