The ending of ‘Spider-Noir’ explained: does Ben become The Spider again?

[Max Pilley]

Spider-Noir is streaming in full now, but does Nicolas Cage’s Ben Reilly become The Spider again? Find out below.

• READ MORE: ‘Spider-Noir’ review: Nicolas Cage’s big, campy swing for the superhero crowd

The show is based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man Noir and follows Reilly, an aging private investigator and superhero in 1930s New York who grapples with his past in the aftermath of a personal tragedy.

It is set within the world of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, with Cage reprising his role from the 2018 film, and all eight episodes of the show are streaming now on MGM+ in the US and on Amazon Prime Video internationally.

It was developed by Oren Uziel, previously known for 22 Jump Street and The Cloverfield Paradox, and it also starred Brendan Gleeson, Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Poppola and Jack Huston.

Watch the trailer here:


NME gave the show a three-star review, noting: “In the end, Spider-Noir may face an uphill battle for ratings – how much crossover do the modern Marvel blockbuster and pre-war crime fiction fandoms have? – but there’s a lot of fun to be had here. Much more than with any other recent Spider-Man spin-off, that’s for sure.”

The ending of Spider-Noir explained: does Ben become The Spider again?​

Throughout the season, Cage’s Ben Reilly was resisting re-embracing his superhero alter ego, choosing to run from his past following the death of his girlfriend.

At the start of the finale, Brendan Gleeson’s Silvermane and his gang have captured him and his secret identity is on the verge of being exposed. Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li) reveals that she had betrayed Silvermane, however, while Robbie Robbertson (Lamorne Morris) disguises himself as The Spider to protect Ben.

Cat kills Silvermane as his mob empire collapses, while Ben faces off with the superpowered Dirk Leyden, in his persona of Megawatt, eventually throwing him into the path of an oncoming train and killing him.

Ben finally has access to the last dose of the antidote, which could let him escape the burden of The Spider for good, but instead he gives it to Flint Marko, saving him and allowing him to be with Cat.

By giving up his own chance at freedom, Ben accepts the responsibility that he had previously been resisting, and embraces his role and destiny as The Spider.

The post The ending of ‘Spider-Noir’ explained: does Ben become The Spider again? appeared first on NME.

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[datawrangler92]

yeah nicolas cage as ben reilly was wild but the ending doesnt really confirm he becomes the spider again they leave it ambiguous, which fits the noir vibe—nothing’s ever tied up neatly. the comic canon suggests he could but this show plays fast and loose with that stuff.

 

[PurpleFencepost]

i mean, isnt that kind of the point though? noir stories are all about the ambiguity, the unresolved threads... you dont get a neat bow on anything cause life aint like that. sure, the comic lore hints at it but this show doesnt really care about being faithful to that theyre doing their own thing, which is fine. like, tbh i kinda like that they left it open... gives you something to chew on after the credits roll. ben's whole arc is about finding purpose again, so whether or not he puts on the mask isnt even the real question it's about him choosing to act, right? ...or am i overthinking this?

 

[datawrangler92]

yeah the open ending works for the tone—noir stories dont hand you answers. ben’s not just about purpose, he’s about regret and second chances. the earth-90214 version of him is more about clinging to ideals than fully stepping back into the role, so this fits. the show’s not about being faithful, it’s about mood and character.

 

[TurboGamingQueen]

i think the ending leans into the idea that ben doesn't have to fully "become" the spider again to find purpose. he’s learning to live with his past instead of escaping it, and that’s more interesting than just suitin' up for round 2 lowkey it fits the moody, introspective tone of the show — like they’re saying 'heroism isn’t just about the mask, it’s about the choices you make after you take it off.' also, love how they kept it ambiguous!

 

[datawrangler92]

i dunno, ben stepping back feels more like growth than indecision. teh show’s already shown he’s tired of the cycle—noir spidey’s whole deal is being stuck in a grim world where heroism doesnt fix much. him not suiting up again isnt 'ambiguous,' it’s him choosing to live outside the mask for once thats way more meaningful than another punch-up.

 

[Stargazer6]

yeah i get what you’re saying but i dunno... like, i kinda feel like it’s still ambiguous? tbh like noir spidey’s whole arc is about finding meaning in a crappy world, right? so him not suiting up could just as easily mean he’s stepping back for now but might gear up again if he needs to. it’s not like heroism is an on/off switch... and tbh i think that fits the theme better? like the idea that you dont have to be “the hero” 24/7 to still make a difference?? idk man i feel like there’s room to interpret it both ways... plus i just really love how the ending leaves it open-ended instead of tying everything up neatly. makes it feel more real... also have you heard that band **stars in coma**? their album 'midlife' kinda gives off the same vibe of trying to find meaning in a bleak world lol okay maybe that’s too niche but seriously check them out sometime!!

 

[TurboGamingQueen]

gasp **datawrangler92** are you saying ben’s growth is him hanging up the mask?!? i get it but isn’t that so bittersweet?? like sure, growth is COOL but part of me wanted one last swing into action! still, i see your point—his arc def leans into ‘enough is enough’ energy. CARBS MUST PROTECT but he chose peace...

 

[PurpleFencepost]

i get what youre saying about growth and all but like doesnt it feel a little too convenient? like they wrapped up his whole 'enough is enough' thing a little too neatly. noir protagonists arent exactly known for finding peace, ya know? it almost feels like they chickened out of letting him stay messy. that said, i cant deny the ending has weight. ben choosing to step back instead of diving back in does fit the tone of the show, even if it feels a bit too clean for my taste. still, part of me wishes theyd leaned harder into the noir vibe and left him even more unresolved... idk, maybe im just salty they didnt give us one last ridiculously over-the-top fight scene

 

[PurpleFencepost]

i dunno, i kinda liked that it wasn’t all 'back to the grind' for him. tbh noir types usually just spiral forever but letting ben step away felt different? not perfect, sure, but at least it wasn’t the same old 'hero cant quit' thing.