The family of Spider-Man films continues to grow with Morbius (2022)! In joint custody with Marvel, Sony has dropped a new character into the Spider-Man film universe they are building. Dr. Michael Morbius, a Spider-Man villain since the early ‘70s, appears in this comic-accurate origin story that is a fun action film with excellent visual effects.
Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) is a brilliant biochemist with a rare blood disease. As the deadline for his mortality draws closer, Morbius goes to international waters to undertake a risky and illegal experiment that could save his life and, hopefully, the lives of others with his condition. Combining human and bat DNA that he then injects into himself as a human test subject, Morbius becomes a living vampire.
Not only is his blood disease cured, Morbius also acquires superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Furthermore, the doctor gains the bat-like ability for echolocation, as well as an insatiable thirst for blood – an appetite with the potential to transform him from a caring human doctor into a vicious monster. Throughout the film, Morbius struggles with his dual nature, especially when faced with trying to stop his best friend, Milo (Matt Smith), who steals some of the transformative serum for himself and becomes a villain by embracing vampiric appetite and going on a murderous rampage (classic! I should have known the best friend would be the main antagonist). The end credits scene suggests potential for more movies about the Sinister Six (the group of villains from the Spider-Man comics, including Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Electro).
Prior to the movie’s release, there was some doubt over whether it would take place in the Sony Marvel universe or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, based on the intriguing mid-credits and end-credits scenes featuring Michael Keaton as Vulture, and the reference to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in a brief scene from the trailer containing “MURDERER” graffiti over a Spider-Man image, this movie seems to favor the MCU.
Although not particularly outstanding in the family of Marvel-based movies, Morbius is an enjoyable watch (I thought it was definitely better than both Venom movies). My admiration of Jared Leto is the closest thing I have ever had to a celebrity crush – he’s a beautiful man, and I like the wide range of characters he portrays, as well the way in which he gives his all to acting. I get the sense that a lot of material was cut from Morbius, especially since there were scenes in the trailer that were not in the film, and that was disappointing. Otherwise, this film is good as a brief origin story and intro to the character of Dr. Michael Morbius, and it leaves me excited for further film depictions of Spider-Man lore.
Credits
- Director: Daniel Espinosa
- Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, Tyrese Gibson
- Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Arad Productions, Matt Tolmach Productions
