Spiderhead movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Spiderhead

This psychological thriller is now playing exclusively on Netflix.

RATING: R (This is director Joseph Kosinski’s first rated R movie.)

LENGTH: 1 hour 47 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

In the near future, convicts are offered the chance to volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their prison sentences. One such subject for a new drug capable of generating feelings of love begins questioning the reality of his emotions. The idea is based on a dystopian short story by George Saunders.

The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve read quite a few negative reviews about this movie, but I actually liked it.
Some people will have a hard time believing Chris Hemsworth is a scientist in the film. Who cares? It’s Chris Hemsworth! ha ha People immediately think of Thor when they see him, so I’m happy that he got an opportunity to stretch himself with a very different role.
We just got to see Miles Teller in Top Gun: Maverick, so if you’re a fan, you’ll be happy to see him star in another movie so soon! He did a great job. Director Joseph Kosinski directed both movies.
We get to see a fight scene between Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller. Guess who wins? I’m not going to tell you. No spoilers! They have great chemistry together.
Fun soundtrack.
I got a kick out of the names of the various medications.
Because the movie focuses on emotions, I loved that the camera zoomed in on people’s faces often.
I liked that there were so many interesting themes about morality in the film. Some might say this movie doesn’t dive deeply enough into any of them, but I liked that there were so many things people could talk about together after watching the movie. For this movie, I thought it worked.
Some humorous moments actually made me laugh out loud.
I was pleasantly surprised that there were no spiders in this movie. ha ha
The director does a very good job of making you feel uncomfortable during most of the scenes.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

While I enjoy Chris Hemsworth in any movie, some viewers may have a hard time suspending their disbelief in him as a serious scientist.
It would have been fun to get to know a few more of the inmates better.
Jurnee Smollett does a good job, but she giggled and laughed at everything that was said in Act 1, which was a little annoying.
Some viewers think the conclusion is just too ridiculous.
There are some bad CGI moments.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Unmarried couples go at it on a chair. We see lots of movement, some skin, and sound effects.
Suicide with blood splatters
Profanity, including F-bombs
Talk of murder
Portrayal of a deadly car accident
Violence

THEMES:

Pharmaceuticals
Medical testing on human guinea pigs
Guilt
Crime
Trust
Honesty
Responsibility
Handle your emotions
Prison
Love
Genius
Self-forgiveness
Free will
Choices, accountability, and consequences

FUNNY LINES:

* “Hey, is there a drug to make you forget shxx?” – Jeff (Miles Teller) “Yeah, it’s called old age.” – Dave

“Millennials, huh?” – Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth)

INTERESTING LINES:

* “Better to think someone’s dead and find out they’re alive.” – Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth)

Beautiful people get away with too much and I say that having benefited myself from time to time.” – Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth)
“Pressure forms diamonds.” – Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth)
“Can I get you something for how you’re feeling?” – Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth)
“I wish there was a self-forgiveness drug. You take it and everything starts over.” – Jeff (Miles Teller)