A new Spider-Verse film is coming out soon and it’s free.
The animated short film, The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story, is releasing on Sony’s official YouTube channel on March 27.
Perhaps a way to tide audiences over until Beyond the Spider-Verse is launched, which is delayed indefinitely due to industry strikes, The Spider Within aims to fill that void with a story that delves into the mental health struggles of its protagonist, Miles Morales.
In The Spider Within, viewers will follow Miles as he juggles being a student, friend, and the superhero Spider-Man. It is a narrative that sees him experiencing a panic attack, a moment that prompts him to confront his anxieties and learn the importance of asking for help. This poignant theme, reflects real-world issues and emphasizes the message that it’s okay not to be okay, even for superheroes.
Directed by Jarelle Dampier, The Spider Within debuted at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival last year as part of Sony Pictures’ mentorship program, Leading and Empowering New Storytellers (LENS). The program is a platform to voices from the underrepresented groups in animation. The film’s partnership with the Kevin Love Fund, an organization established by the namesake NBA superstar dedicated to mental health education and advocacy, further proves its commitment to sparking conversations around mental health.
The 35-year-old Miami Heat forward has expressed his hope that the film will validate young people’s feelings and remind them that they’re not alone. Its inclusion of scenes where Miles openly discusses his feelings with his father is a powerful representation of the significance of reaching out and expressing one’s emotions.
The release of The Spider Within comes at a critical time for the Spider-Verse franchise. With the delay of Beyond the Spider-Verse (and the subsequent failure of Madame Web), fans are eager for any new content related to their favorite web-slinger. The short film bridges the gap between the major releases while exploring a deeply relatable and the human side of the younger Spider-Man. It addresses the superhero’s vulnerability and the universal challenge of balancing life’s responsibilities, all while fighting the villains of New York City.
As the Spider-Verse expands, it’s clear Sony is dedicated to creating the kind of content that resonates with audiences on multiple levels, from thrilling superhero action to the intimate struggles of its characters.
