Anthony Bergamini
With all the excitement surrounding the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film—especially due to the recent suit reveal and the plethora of set footage being released—revisiting some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) era Spider-Man films feels almost inevitable. Spider-Man: Homecoming stands out as the first standalone Spider-Man film within the MCU, while Spider-Man: No Way Home is universally praised for how it concludes the trilogy and introduces the Spider-Men of yesteryear into the fold. However, the middle entry, Spider-Man: Far From Home, often gets lost in the shuffle. Even the film’s release timing worked against it, arriving hot on the heels of the MCU’s first grand finale, Avengers: Endgame, functioning as a quasi-epilogue. It almost felt as though Marvel was already looking too far into the future by the time it hit theaters. Yet despite all of this, Spider-Man: Far From Home deserves far more credit. It tells a unique Spider-Man story that steps away from many of the character’s traditional staples.
As Marvel’s most well-known character—and arguably the most cinematic comic book character in history—Spider-Man is associated with many signature elements, most notably web-swinging across the New York City skyline. This film commits what many fans consider the first cardinal sin by removing the character from New York entirely, instead placing him in Europe on a school trip. While this creative choice initially alienated some comic book purists, it makes sense within the context of the MCU. Spider-Man in the MCU is frequently criticized for being too intertwined with the broader franchise, but this level of interconnectivity is precisely what was missing during his earlier Sony-exclusive film iterations. Seeing Sony and Marvel work together to embed this version of Spider-Man deeply into the MCU should be appreciated. By taking the character out of his comfort zone to tell a story that builds upon the MCU’s established narrative, Far From Home ventures into uncharted, yet worthwhile, territory.
At the heart of the narrative is Peter Parker’s budding relationship with MJ—an arc repeatedly interrupted by his own insecurities and his struggle to cope with the loss of his mentor and father figure, Tony Stark. This emotional thread ties closely to earlier MCU events, making Spider-Man: Far From Home one of the most organically integrated sequels in the franchise. That emotional connection is expanded upon through the film’s villain, Mysterio, who is revealed to be a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee, intent on destroying Tony’s legacy. These connections give the universe a sense of depth and continuity, and the film’s resolution feels like a true closing of a chapter—one that allows Peter to begin forging his own path.
While Peter’s immediate concern is his relationship with MJ, the emotional core of the film lies in how he processes Tony’s death. This is addressed in multiple ways, beginning with his decision to leave New York—something Aunt May encourages as a way to help clear his mind. However, even abroad, Peter can’t escape reminders of Tony. Whether it’s a giant mural or directly confronting Mysterio—whose motivations are deeply tied to Stark—Tony’s presence is unavoidable. This constant thread resonates because fans are undergoing a similar emotional journey. Tony Stark launched the MCU, and his death marked the end of an era. By using that loss as the impetus for Peter’s personal growth, the filmmakers draw a strong emotional parallel between the character and the audience. This connection is fitting, as Spider-Man was originally created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko as a character younger audiences could relate to. It only makes sense, then, that he serves as the audience’s point-of-view character for processing the larger events of the MCU.
Another highlight of the film is how well it maintains the tone and character consistency of Spider-Man: Homecoming, despite the intervening MCU films. The entire trilogy is directed by Jon Watts, which is notable given how few MCU franchises have remained under the guidance of a single creative voice. Even as Spider-Man: Far From Home handles major MCU-wide ramifications, Watts ensures the characters and their stories remain central. He preserves the trilogy’s tone and vision, keeping it character-focused even as it builds toward a conclusion that would span multiple other films.
Among the many memorable scenes, two stand out in particular: Spider-Man’s battles with Mysterio. The first is especially striking due to its use of hallucinatory special effects. This sequence forces Peter to confront his inner demons, including a haunting image of an Iron Man helmet containing a skeleton. It’s a pivotal turning point that pushes Peter to address what he’s been avoiding, both emotionally and as a hero.
The final battle is perhaps the film’s most iconic moment—especially the sequence where Spider-Man confronts Mysterio on the bridge. After appearing to defeat him, Peter is faced with one last illusion: Mysterio attempts to shoot him at point-blank range. Relying solely on his spider-sense—used effectively for the first time—Peter dodges the attack and ends the fight. This moment symbolizes a major milestone in his development. By trusting his instincts instead of relying on a mentor, Peter steps fully into his role as a self-reliant hero. The entire trilogy essentially functions as a prolonged origin story, and this moment perfectly captures its conclusion.
