Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales struggles with school, family rules, and his fear of failing. A radioactive spider gives Miles special powers after Kingpin’s collider tears open the multiverse. Miles meets several Spider-heroes, including an older and tired Peter Parker. The movie uses fast jokes, bright comic-book art, family drama, and superhero action. The movie gives the Spider-Man role to an already established black and Puerto Rican comic character. Miles’ family, neighborhood, and culture are visible parts of his life, but they are not used for political speeches. The main story is about courage, responsibility, grief, and learning to trust yourself. Gwen Stacy and other Spider-heroes broaden the cast, while each character mainly serves the multiverse adventure.
Community feedback
Was our 27% Woke rating accurate?
Loading review details…
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Woke representation / casting
Miles is a prominent black and Puerto Rican hero in a diverse Brooklyn setting. The film also gives major roles to Gwen Stacy and Peni Parker, while the other Spider-heroes come from different cultures and styles. These choices fit the comic sources and the multiverse idea, but interviews and marketing also openly present the group as a celebration of diversity. The identity focus is noticeable but remains tied to the superhero story.
28%
Woke political dialogue
Not present. The film has no clear speeches or repeated lines about modern identity politics, DEI, activism, or left-wing causes. The dialogue focuses on family, fear, heroism, and teamwork.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
Miles spends much of the film learning who he is and whether he can become his own kind of Spider-Man. The story repeats the idea that many different people can carry the same hero role. Miles’ race and family culture shape his world, but the main message is personal courage rather than political identity.
18%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Not present. Kingpin is a criminal villain who uses a collider to bring back his family. The film does not attack Christianity, family life, men, women, or Western institutions through modern activist ideas.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. Miles Morales was already an established black and Puerto Rican Spider-Man in Marvel Comics. Gwen Stacy, Peni Parker, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Ham are also based on existing comic versions.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
A few small online accounts called the film woke because Miles is black and Puerto Rican or because they disliked him taking the Spider-Man role. Some later videos repeated complaints about Miles, but most public discussion praised the film. No major boycott, review-bombing campaign, or mainstream controversy focused on this 2018 movie.
12%
Creator track record context
Peter Ramsey has publicly supported more diverse hiring in animation. Bob Persichetti and the producers have described the film as showing many cultures and life experiences. The wider team mostly has mainstream comedy and animation careers, so the context is mixed rather than strongly activist.
28%
Production
Movie · 2018
Earth is peaceful following the Tournament of Power. Realizing that the universes still hold many more strong people yet to see, Goku spends all his days training to reach even…
Movie · 2016
Adam West and Burt Ward returns to their iconic roles of Batman and Robin. The film sees the superheroes going up against classic villains like The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin…
Movie · 2016
When the galaxy comes under the threat of a nefarious space captain, a mechanic and his newfound robot ally join an elite squad of combatants to save the universe.
Movie · 2018
The life of a teenage boy is forever altered by a chance encounter with cutting edge military technology.
Movie · 2018
A friendship with a top-secret robot turns a lonely girl's life into a thrilling adventure as they take on bullies, evil bots and a scheming madman.
Movie · 2018
All the major DC superheroes are starring in their own films, all but the Teen Titans, so Robin is determined to remedy this situation by getting over his role as a sidekick and…
Movie · 2024
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an…
Movie · 2016
While Po and his father are visiting a secret panda village, an evil spirit threatens all of China, forcing Po to form a ragtag army to fight back.
