It’s Good to Have You Back, Spider, Man

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The latest Avatar film, Fire and Ash, continues the series’ tradition of vibrant and imaginative alien life. The world is filled with incredible sights – from nomadic traders traveling on airships pulled by massive creatures, to sea whales with ornate piercings participating in unique ceremonies, and even dragon-riding warriors wielding flamethrowers. But one character has sparked considerable debate: Spider, played by Jack Champion. Introduced in the previous film, The Way of Water, Spider is a human boy raised among the Na’vi people. He was born on Pandora, orphaned, and grew up different from his adopted family – smaller, weaker, and reliant on an oxygen mask. This difference drives his story, but also makes him stand out, and some viewers find him jarring. He’s written as a somewhat rebellious and typical kid, which, ironically, threatens to pull audiences out of the immersive world of Avatar. While it’s easy to be annoyed by him, the film encourages viewers to embrace his character. In fact, Fire and Ash focuses heavily on Spider’s story, making it particularly rewarding for those who appreciate his role in the narrative.

Jack Champion plays Spider, a character introduced in 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water. He’s a human boy raised among the Na’vi, having been born and orphaned on the human base in Pandora. Spider’s story is as captivating as those of the other main characters. We learn in The Way of Water that his father was Colonel Miles Quaritch, the villain from the first film who was reborn in an Avatar body to continue hunting Jake Sully. Growing up with an adopted family, Spider feels like an outsider – he’s physically different, needs an oxygen mask, and struggles to adapt. This makes him a compelling character, but can also be frustrating for viewers. He stands out because he’s a human child actor among the tall, blue Na’vi, and is written as a somewhat rebellious kid. This realism, ironically, risks pulling audiences out of the fantastical world of Avatar, making it easy to simply dislike him. However, appreciating Spider is a more rewarding choice. That’s why fans of the character will be pleased that Fire and Ash focuses heavily on his story.

As someone who’s been following the Avatar story, Spider is just… a trip. Seriously, he’s born in the future, but acts like he stepped right out of a ’90s sitcom. It’s hilarious and so weird, especially because he’s at the center of everything happening in Fire and Ash. He’s constantly cracking these cheesy jokes, even in the most intense moments. I mean, when Kiri basically saves his life with her connection to Eywa, turning him into something completely new, his response is just, “Oh yeah, I’m good on the whole air thing.” It’s so off-kilter! And even when Jake is facing this unbelievably difficult decision about what to do with him to protect Pandora, Spider is just… oblivious, casually saying things like he needs to use the bathroom. During the biggest battle of the whole movie, he’s over there commentating like it’s a game, yelling “Sick! The Tulkun are fighting back!” Every time he speaks, he completely deflates the tension. But I think that’s actually brilliant. The Avatar films always walk this line between genuine sincerity – that whole connection to nature, spiritual vibe – and classic blockbuster fun, and Spider is what holds it all together. He’s the perfect balance, the glue that makes the tone work.

Let me tell you, this Spider is totally a product of the ’90s! Visually, he feels ripped straight out of a Nickelodeon cartoon like Rocket Power or even Disney’s Tarzan – he’s just got that energetic, animated vibe. He’s constantly running around, surfing, and dancing like he doesn’t have a care in the world, and he’s not afraid to sass the adults, even calling them names! He even gets teased as “monkey boy” by the girl he likes. Seriously, his name – Miles “Spider” Socorro – sounds like he should be competing in the X Games! And it’s not just for show; his dreadlocks actually matter to the story, evolving in a way that reminds me of the Na’vi’s connection to Eywa in Avatar. It’s a really clever visual touch.

Once Spider is captured and taken to a lab for research, Quaritch tries to appease him with a peace offering – a burger. He dramatically pulls the tiny burger from his large Avatar pocket, but Spider angrily swats it away. This scene, and others like it – such as Jake and Neytiri trying to find Spider a new home, upsetting their children, or attempting to discipline him while he’s completely unaware – show how the characters often treat Spider like a pet rather than a person.

People criticizing Champion’s acting should consider this: he’s the only lead actor – besides experienced performers like Falco and Giovanni Ribisi – who doesn’t have the help of CGI to cover his face. This means his performance isn’t masked by special effects like the other Na’vi characters, and he’s visibly acting under difficult filming conditions. Have you seen how challenging it is for him?

Viewers who are enjoying Fire and Ash seem to have accepted Spider, which is great. He embodies all the innocence, mistakes, humor, and untamed energy of the mysterious character Big Jim. Anyone who dislikes him is being unfair, judging him simply because he’s different. As Toruk Makto would say, you can’t live with that kind of negativity.

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2025-12-24 00:55