Review: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ is Far From Perfect

Back again for another Spider-Man movie and the conclusion of Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: Far From Home follows one of the most anticipated films not just of the summer but of the entire year. How does one possibly follow that? Well, if I’m being honest—a little sloppily.

Spider-Man: Far From Home picks up with Peter Parker after “The Blip,” the event in which people disappeared and reappeared five years later, and the final battle against Thanos. Peter feels pressured to take on the role Iron Man once filled, but, like most teenagers facing extreme stress, he tries to escape—this time on a class trip to Europe, where he plans to confess his feelings to MJ. However, things go awry when Nick Fury enlists Spider-Man’s help with Mysterio, a supposed traveler from another dimension, to defeat a dangerous elemental monster. Yet something is not quite right, and as events unfold, Peter faces difficult choices and learns to trust himself to do what’s right.

The story of Far From Home is compelling, as it ties up loose ends from Endgame. Peter’s stress and grief are palpable, and his desire to do what’s right makes him more sympathetic than ever. His character arc—from wanting to escape his responsibilities to fully embracing what makes him a hero—is incredibly satisfying. There’s also a dark twist towards the end that adds weight to the film and makes it stand out. The story remains tightly focused on a single main storyline, offering a refreshing contrast to the more intricate plots of the last two MCU films.

In terms of cinematography, the movie is as stunning as ever. While there isn’t extensive use of the scenic locations, the shots in Venice and on Tower Bridge more than make up for it. The visuals carry over the familiar look and feel of Homecoming but with a brighter color palette. The three Spider-Man costumes are all great—especially the “Night Monkey” suit with the flip-up glasses. Mysterio’s costume is also impressive, with intricate details that draw the eye. There’s a trippy sequence in the second act that feels reminiscent of Doctor Strange’s effects in the best way, so keep an eye out for that.

The acting is solid all around. Tom Holland’s Peter Parker remains the perfect blend of awkwardly lovable and impressively fierce. Zendaya’s MJ has more screen time, revealing her as a true-crime enthusiast with a dry sarcasm that’s refreshingly down-to-earth. It’s great that she’s portrayed as grounded and tough rather than a bubbly stereotype. Jacob Batalon as Peter’s best friend, Ned, is still a lot of fun but has a smaller role now that MJ is more central. The real standout here, though, is Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio. He plays the role coolly and just the right amount of emotional until the perfect moment…but more on that later. And Samuel L. Jackson? As expected, he’s fantastic—no surprises there.

So from here on out, we are in deep spoiler territory. Skip to the end to see my final verdict!

One issue with the film is that the villain’s motives don’t quite add up. For starters, Mysterio’s heel-turn is basically telegraphed from the moment we meet him—he is Mysterio, after all. I’ve never picked up a Spider-Man comic, yet even I know Mysterio is a villain. His costume practically screams “villain” from the rooftops. Still, Jake Gyllenhaal’s shift into a smug egotist is executed perfectly and feels seamless.

However, I’m left wondering why this entire team of people has decided to go all-in on creating a new hero. What are they getting out of it? What’s the ultimate endgame they’re hoping to achieve? I get that Beck’s goal is to one-up Tony Stark by stepping into the Iron Man role, but the rest? Did they all hate Tony Stark that much?

Another issue I have is with MJ and Peter’s relationship. It’s not that they lack chemistry or that Peter isn’t absolutely adorable trying to impress her; the problem is that there’s no build-up. We get more lead-up to Happy and May’s relationship—at least with them, we see some shy flirting. With Peter, he goes from liking Liz Toomes in Homecoming, to having no interactions with MJ in either Infinity War or Endgame, and then, suddenly, he has a crush on her? We aren’t given any real reasons for Peter’s feelings besides the fact that she’s MJ, and that’s who he’s “supposed” to like. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re adorable together, and I love this version of MJ—her true-crime obsession, awkwardness, and “give-no-shits” attitude are refreshing. A little more background on their connection would have made it feel more believable, though.

My last issue is a bit harder to describe. I left the theater without the usual sense of satisfaction I get from a great movie, even though I laughed and felt engaged. That should be enough, right? It wasn’t until I listened to NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour (yes, I am that person, and no, I don’t own a tote bag…yet) that I figured it out. The upbeat, quippy tone from Homecoming and Civil War is missing here. Far From Home is much more serious, with Peter feeling lost and struggling to figure himself out, but this leaves his character feeling muddled in the process. It’s not that the MCU can’t mix levity with trauma—just look at Iron Man 3. But here, everything feels overly serious and clunky, which ends up costing the movie some of that classic Spider-Man charm.

I will say, though, the two post-credit scenes are fantastic. It’ll be exciting to see how Spider-Man handles the fallout of his secret identity being exposed, though it should be easy enough to disprove Beck’s claims and the doctored footage. Bringing back J.K. Simmons was a wonderful touch. And as for the Skrulls covering for Fury while he’s off on a space-cation—it definitely hints at a potential Captain Marvel sequel.

Overall, Spider-Man: Far From Home is a good movie that flirts with greatness but never quite crosses that line. Still, as the final film of Phase 3, it does a solid job of tying up loose ends and building excitement for what’s next in the MCU.