‘I’ve Heard All About That.’ Madame Web Alum Weighs In On The Film Getting Trashed By Critics

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Anyone following the recent string of superhero movies is aware of the online buzz – and often, the jokes – surrounding Sony’s Spider-Verse films. From the viral “Morbius” memes to the scrutiny of the CGI in the Kraven trailer, there’s been plenty of online discussion. But Madame Web seems to have become particularly famous for becoming a running joke. Now, one of the film’s actors is speaking out about the criticism it’s received from both audiences and critics.

Tahar Rahim, the French actor who played Ezekiel Sims in a recent Spider-Man film, is aware of the fan reaction to his character, but he’s choosing not to engage with it directly. In a new interview with Variety, Rahim said he’s heard a lot about how people responded, even though he’s avoided reading or watching it himself.

I was already aware of everything. I avoided researching it further because I suspected it would only complicate things. It’s hit or miss sometimes, but I simply focused on doing what I was supposed to do.

That’s a very direct and truthful assessment. Ultimately, an actor’s job is to show up prepared, perform as directed, and do their best with the script they’re given. While Rahim has made a name for himself with challenging roles in films like A Prophet and The Mauritanian, even the most skilled actors are limited by weak writing. A truly awful line – like the infamous, widely-shared example about someone being in the Amazon with a researcher’s mother – is simply unsalvageable, no matter how talented the actor.

Rahim’s point reminds us that actors often work with incomplete information. They rarely film scenes in order, and often have to act with temporary effects or without a full understanding of the final product. By the time a movie is released, many changes can happen during editing that affect how an actor’s performance is perceived. So, when a film doesn’t quite succeed, actors are often asked to explain decisions that were actually out of their hands.

Okay, so I just saw that Madame Web is now available to stream on Disney+. If you’re okay with ads, the plan starts at $11.99 a month. You can ditch the ads for $18.99 a month, or if you’re really committed, you can pre-pay for a whole year for $189.99 – that saves you about 16%! I’m always looking for good streaming deals, and this one seems pretty solid if you’re a Disney+ subscriber or thinking of becoming one.

From the beginning, Madame Web had a tough challenge. It lacked a connection to Spider-Man, a consistent style, and its story felt like a mix of different, clashing concepts. While the movie generated some online buzz, it was mostly negative. As one person put it, sometimes a film just clicks, and sometimes it doesn’t—and honestly, most of Sony’s Spider-Man-related movies without Spider-Man have struggled, except for the Venom films.

He doesn’t seem fazed by the online jokes. Rahim appears happy to let his work speak for itself and avoid getting involved in the discussion. That’s a mature approach. Not every movie is a hit, and expanding a franchise isn’t always successful. Sometimes, the best thing to do is focus on future opportunities and prove yourself with your next role—and that’s exactly what Rahim is doing. He’s already working on a new film: an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, scheduled for release around Christmas 2026.

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2025-12-10 05:08