June 18, 2025

Movie Review: Spider-Man 4: The Sinister Six (2025)

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

After months of anticipation and a marketing campaign shrouded in secrecy, Spider-Man 4: The Sinister Six swings into theaters—and it’s an electrifying triumph. Directed by Jon Watts and co-written with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the fourth installment in the MCU’s Spider-Man saga not only raises the stakes but delivers the most emotionally rich and narratively ambitious Spider-Man film to date.

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, now older, more isolated, and still reeling from the multiverse-shattering events of No Way Home. Living under a new identity and estranged from MJ (Zendaya), Peter is pulled back into action when six of the most dangerous villains from across the multiverse are mysteriously brought together to destroy him—and the fragile new world he’s built.

The Sinister Six lineup is a fan’s dream: Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, Michael Keaton’s Vulture, Paul Giamatti’s Rhino (in a drastically reimagined role), Jamie Foxx’s Electro, Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven the Hunter, and a surprise return of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin—this time far more unhinged and terrifying than ever. Their chemistry and tension as a dysfunctional villain team are among the film’s biggest strengths, often stealing the spotlight with power plays, betrayals, and brutal action sequences.

But this is still Peter’s story, and Tom Holland delivers his most mature and layered performance yet. This Peter isn’t the optimistic teen of Homecoming—he’s weathered, conflicted, and on the brink of losing himself. Zendaya’s MJ has a smaller but pivotal role, and her scenes with Peter are heartbreaking and beautifully restrained.

The action choreography is nothing short of spectacular. A standout sequence at the collapsing Manhattan Bridge—where Spidey battles Doc Ock and Kraven in midair—is already being called one of the MCU’s best. The emotional core, however, remains the beating heart of the movie. Peter’s internal struggle—between the responsibility he carries and the personal life he’s lost—gives the film a gravitas that elevates it far beyond a typical superhero brawl.

Some may find the third act slightly overloaded with CGI and villain showdowns, but the resolution—bittersweet and bold—leaves a lasting impact. The mid-credits scene sets up an even more surprising direction for Peter’s journey, teasing a crossover that’s bound to break the internet.

Spider-Man 4: The Sinister Six is everything fans hoped for: thrilling, emotionally resonant, and packed with memorable moments. It’s not just a celebration of Spider-Man’s legacy—it’s a powerful chapter that redefines it.