Spiderhead review: Where did this come from?

Spiderhead, the movie based on the short story Escape from Spiderhead by George Saunders, is a film that arrived on Netflix much to the surprise of many. You see, it wasn’t promoted in any sort of way. It just appeared out of the ether, which is bloody strange. Why is that strange? Well for starters, it stars one of Marvels’ most loved actors, Chris Hemsworth. It also stars Miles Teller (Whiplash), who recently appeared in this year’s biggest Movie, Top Gun: Maverick.

Not only that, but the director of Spiderhead is none other than Joseph Kosinski, who directed the latest instalment of Top Gun! But wait, there’s more. The script is penned by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, the team behind the script for both Deadpools. So what the hell is going on? Why was there zero attention given to this movie? Maybe because it’s shit? Okay, that isn’t fair. But it is what many other critics think of it.

Spiderhead is sitting on 44% on RT, and while I think that is a bit harsh, I do see why. It’s potential is squandered by pacing issues that frustrate. But before I get there, what is this movie about? Drugs man, drugs.

Drugs baby

Set on an island and within a concrete prison/hospital, Hemsworth plays researcher Abnesti. He’s developing drugs that can do a range of things. They can make you appreciate nature to the point of tears. They can make you lust for someone you don’t want, and they can bring absolute emotional torment.

The drugs are administered through an app, and injected in the spine by a poorly located box. I say poorly located as they tend to get bashed by accident, leading to some very bad consequences.

Jeff, played superbly by Miles Teller, is being experimented on. As are a bunch of other people, including the obviously soon-to-be love interest, Lizzy (Jurnee Smollett). You find out why the main characters have agreed to this as the movie progresses, and I won’t spoil that here.

Abnesti administers these drugs while recording their affects, for reasons that become clear later. The issue I have is that Hemsworth’s portrayal is almost comically ludicrous. His permanent smile that hides his rather sinister doings, is so over the top I loved it, but for perhaps the wrong reasons.

I need to point out here that I actually enjoyed this movie, very much so. It was a fun romp and although I knew where the story was going (it thinks it’s smart, it isn’t) the fun performance from Hemsworth, and the deeper, more emotional one by miles, played well against each other.

I think the best thing about Spiderhead is the directing and cinematography. It’s broody, when it needs to be, and sinister even when people are smiling and telling you that their open-door policy is for ‘you’. I also enjoyed the dark humour. At times I was laughing while thinking ‘Nick, you really shouldn’t find this funny!’

I’d give Spiderhead a…

7/10

While there are issues with pacing and with cliched storylines (I’ll save the girl!) it’s a fun watch. Just don’t expect it to rock your foundations.