Kraven the Hunter Review
Kraven the Hunter offers a gritty antihero origin story, but an uneven plot and tangled narrative threads make this big game hunt miss the mark, my full review.
Kraven the Hunter offers a very bumpy but mostly entertaining ride into the extended Spider-Man Universe. Director J.C. Chandor and lead Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Kraven carve out a brutal and raw antihero origin story that strays from conventional narratives but unfortunately misses the mark. The film offers a much darker tone and visceral action that definitely earns its mature rating. Despite its potential, it struggles to find its footing, weighed down by uneven storytelling and over-reliance on exposition that isn’t fully explored and doesn't pay off by the movie's end. The film feels restrained, teetering on the edge of something more, but is held back by its flaws.
Kraven the Hunter Details
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Director(s): J.C. Chandor
Actor(s): Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Russell Crowe, Alessandro Nivola
Run Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
Content Rating: Rated R
Becoming An Apex Predator
The narrative focuses on Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a man shaped by his brutal upbringing and a twisted family dynamic. As the favoured yet tormented son of his domineering father, Nikolai (Russell Crowe), Sergei’s rebellion leads him down a path of vengeance that ultimately transforms him into Kraven. The story weaves themes of environmentalism, family loyalty, and redemption, but the film’s insistence on juggling multiple subplots dilutes their impact. There is just too much happening at once, and it hurts the main story arc of Kraven’s rise as a supervillain.
The flashback-heavy storytelling bogs down the pacing, making it difficult for emotional beats to land fully. There are also lines and moments in the film that don’t stick their landing, ultimately leading to awkward moments that pull you out of the scene.
"There are also lines and moments in the film that don’t stick their landing, ultimately leading to awkward moments that pull you out of the scene."
I think with a more streamlined narrative, the film could have delivered a sharper, more engaging origin tale. Instead, we got a good start to the story, picked up too many subplots along the way, and by the end, we had too many narratives to tie up satisfyingly.
Fleshing out Kraven The Hunter
In terms of performances, Aaron Taylor-Johnson shines, portraying Kraven’s raw physicality and complex emotions with plenty of intensity. His portrayal anchors the film, adding depth to a character often defined by primal instincts. The writing for his character sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, with some scenes falling flat, but overall, Taylor-Johnson is great as Kraven. I found that the surrounding cast either wasn’t written very well or wasn’t given enough screen time to pull in the audience. Russell Crowe’s performance as Nikolai Kravinoff does a serviceable job of elevating the dysfunctional father-son dynamic in the film – but it needed more room to grow.
"I found that the surrounding cast either wasn’t written very well or wasn’t given enough screen time to pull in the audience."
Ariana DeBose, as Calypso, had a very limited role that felt wedged into parts of the film to push along the plot. There were also a lot of short, very odd explanations for her character’s origins and connections. Her character feels underutilized, serving more as a narrative device than a fully realized presence. Christopher Abbott’s charismatic turn as The Foreigner adds intrigue, but his underexplored character left me wanting more. He could have led as the central baddy, and the movie would have been better for it. The ensemble cast brings talent, but the script’s scattered focus hinders many performances, with Taylor-Johnson’s performance left to do far too much lifting on his own.
Action and Spectacle
The action sequences are gritty and a little more grounded than some Spidey and Avengers' outings. Hand-to-hand combat scenes offer a raw, animalistic energy that aligns with Kraven’s character. However, the overuse of CGI, particularly in superhuman feats and the portrayal of Rhino, really pulled me out of the action scene-to-scene moments. While the R-rating allows for more violence and bloodshed, the execution feels superficial, with much of the brutality relying on digital effects that just don’t look right. For a superhero action flick, standout set pieces are scarce, save for the end of the movie, leaving the action feeling primarily unmemorable. A stronger visual identity could have elevated the film’s most intense moments.
A Flawed Spinoff
If you are looking for a departure from the typical superhero formula, Kraven the Hunter offers a grittier, more grounded alternative. Its darker tone and character-driven approach stand out in a spectacle-dominated action-hero genre. However, the film’s narrative bloat and inconsistent pacing will likely frustrate you if you are looking for a more cohesive story. While it’s arguably one of Sony's stronger Spider-Man spin-offs, it still suffers from many issues that have plagued the extended franchise, including underdeveloped characters and a tendency to prioritize setup over payoff.
Final Thoughts on Kraven The Hunter
Kraven the Hunter is an attempt to explore the psyche of a complex antihero, blending a darker, more brutal tone. A scattered narrative and uneven execution ultimately hold the film back.
"A scattered narrative and uneven execution ultimately hold the film back."
Fans of the character and those intrigued by a fresh take on the superhero genre might find some entertainment here, but the film’s flaws are hard to overlook. It’s a worthwhile watch for those seeking a grittier Marvel experience—but you really need to temper your expectations for this predator’s hunt.
Verdict: Kraven the Hunter starts off strong as a darker Marvel story, but as the layers are peeled back it is ultimately undone by uneven execution and a lacking narrative.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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