Title: Spiderhead
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Runtime: 1hr 46min
IMDB synopsis: In the near future, convicts are offered the chance to volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their sentence. One such subject for a new drug capable of generating feelings of love begins questioning the reality of his emotions.
Watched via: Netflix
Netflix’s newest original movie comes courtesy of director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion, Only the Brave) and packs quite the cast including Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, and Jurnee Smollett. The cast alone was what piqued my interest and sold me on giving Spiderhead a watch. It definitely helps that I am also a sucker for a science fiction movie that brings with it questionable ethics.
Abnesti (Hemsworth) administers a myriad of experimental drugs on inmates in exchange for them receiving shorter sentences. Jeff (Teller) is one such inmate and seems content to play by the rules. The “why” as far as Jeff being there to begin with is revealed to us slowly and in pieces throughout the movie. Izzy (Smollett) works in the same work section (snacks area) as Jeff and the two have kindled a sort of romance between the two of them.
However, their romance is put to the test when Jeff is administered N-40 (also known as Luvactin) in a session with Heather (Tess Haubrich). Following the N-40 test, Jeff and Heather are watched for any lingering feelings for one another. Does the drug work on both participants? Will Jeff earn his release? What is Abnesti getting out of all of this?
The premise is great, it draws you in right away. Hemsworth shines getting to play a mad scientist with a God complex, always refreshing to see him in a role other than Thor. And if you love yacht rock, you are in for a treat with this soundtrack (while no official playlist seems to exist yet, I have found a few playlists on Apple Music that include all the songs featured).
What ultimately hurts Spiderhead is the script. We, the audience, are supposed to feel something for Jeff and Izzy, whether as individuals or as a couple, and it is a struggle to do so. This is not me taking a cheap shot at Miles Teller or Jurnee Smollett, I am huge fans of both and feel they did the best they could with what they were given. The problem being there is not enough depth given to any character for the audience to build that connection with. There are various points throughout where one could easily forget Izzy is supposed to be a main character.
All in all, Spiderhead was a fun watch. Easily forgettable, but a fun time, nonetheless. If this were the mid to late 90s Spiderhead would have regular weekend rotations on TBS and/or TNT networks. Now, if you are up for something fun that does not require a whole lot of investment, Spiderhead is for you and streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Have you seen Spiderhead yet? If you have, what were your thoughts? If you have not seen it yet, do you plan to?
Let me know in the comments below or by reaching out on social media! Let me know “I’ve Scene That!”