The following article contains spoilers forSpider-Man: No Way Home.
The most anticipated movie of the year is finally here asSpider-Man: No Way Homeswings into its second weekend getting ready to shatter every box office record claimed by previous films starring Peter Parker. However, along the way, the MCU’sSpider-Manfinally addresses something that was on many fans’ minds: what happened to Tom Holland’s Uncle Ben?
After all, the death of Uncle Ben is one of themost widely-known superhero origin stories in pop cultureand it’s been that way for nearly 50 years, with the moment’s fame perhaps only matched by the double murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne inBatman’sDC world. Ben Parker’s fate is such a pivotal moment for Peter that he’s also famous for being one of the few comic book characters to never be revived simply because without Uncle Ben there is noSpider-Man.
RELATED:Spider-Man: No Way Home Review
Which is why when the MCU’s writers and producers decided they weren’t going to force audiences to see Uncle Ben die inside a movie theater for a third time, many were puzzled about how the studio would answer this very important question. In that regard, the freshly announcedSpider-Man: Freshman Yearlooked like the perfect opportunity to do that, but instead it wasNo Way Homethat flipped things in a way that’s shocking, tasteful, meaningful, and definitely one of the film’s most emotional moments.
Marisa Tomei’s Aunt Mayhad, for the most part, been treated as comic relief in the MCU with her character getting memed to death (now quite literally) for how movies kept making May younger each time. Even despite discovering Peter’s secret identity early on, this aunt May was often there to be the subject of jokes for how obviously attractive she was and making Peter uncomfortable, a fitting trope for two movies that relied heavily on its teen movie vibes.
During the movie’s fast-paced first act theNo Way Homedoes well to dispel May and Happy’s relationship, and this is possible because that was something that was used mostly for comedic purposes, instead, she’s upgraded to more of a true caretaker, someone who actually has Spider-Man’s ear. This upgrade results in May having direct influence over the film’s defining moment that truly raises the stakes, butNo Way Homeis smart enough to prepare the viewer for what’s coming.
Willem Dafoe is simply brilliant in this film, but having him show up at May’s workplace is a fantastic way to foreshadow the latter’s fate, especially due to the sheer impact any of Dafoe’s scenes carry. When all hell breaks loose in Happy’s apartment and the Sinister Five rebel against, admittedly May’s plan, it’s outright confusing to see why May is taking such a beating and few viewers might figure out right away what’s about to go down.
Even as May tumbles in pain, both Peter and the audience have a hard time realizing that his cheerful and beautiful aunt, the comic relief in this teen Spider-Man’s life is about to die because the stakes had never been that high. When May utters Uncle Ben’s phrase, “With great power, there must also come great responsibility”, most will have realized that this lovely May wasthe MCU’s Uncle Ben all along.
The teams behind every MCU Spider-Man film were rather smart never to resort to a “lazy” flashback scene to depict these moments, because besides taking up valuable screen time, it would have lacked that big impact for Holland’s Peter, as well as shock and awe for viewers. Not only has it been done a million times, but it would also belong in Peter’s past, by now he should have probably healed most emotional wounds derived from that moment.
In moments prior to May’s death,this Green Goblin viciously taunts Spider-Man, basically telling he had no edge, no killer instinct, no desire to kill, and no dark side to him, thus making weaker than his psychopathic enemies. Truthfully, Norman Osborn was right, despite losing a fatherly figure in Tony Stark, this Peter had not had any vengeful feelings awakened until this very moment because like Doctor Strange reminds us, he’s just a kid.
May’s death could very well be the transformation of Holland’s Spider-Man from teen to fully grown man, as it awakens his dark side. FortunatelyNo Way Homesets him up with the best form of therapy in the only two people who could really put themselves in his shoes,two Peters who also lost their Uncle Ben.
Spider-Man: No Way Homeis filled with moments that might just squeeze some tears out of many people, but May’s death is right up there due to it simply not being on the cards when one goes to see the movie. Andrew Garfield andTobey Maguire are both spectacular inNo Way Home, their roles are crucial in driving Holland’s character arc instead of merely being fan-service cameos, but it’d be hard for them to slot in so well without May’s death.
The MCU might never tell what happened to Uncle Ben butSpider-Man: No Way Homemakes sure that’s a question no longer needing any answering with a brilliant scene that feels just as painful, if not even more, than any of the countless times May’s husband died. A truly great way of tackling such responsibility.
MORE:Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For PS5 And PS4
