Spider-Man and the Horror of Adolescence

Hello my lovely readers,

The other night I was rewatching The Amazing Spider-Man, the 2012 cinematic masterpiece starring Andrew Garfield as the iconic web-slinger navigating grief, the woes of being a teenager, and newfound superpowers. As many times as I watched any Spider-Man movie, I was always wrapped up in the thrilling action scenes, the emphasis on the beauty of human compassion, and the sprinkles of romance. However, this time I could not shake this feeling of terror, the discomfort in watching Peter Parker grapple with his changing body. Watching him suddenly be able to skitter up walls, unsettlingly fast reflexes, and rip a web with a dead spider attached at the end from the bite in his neck would've evoked feelings of fear if portrayed in another setting. And don't even get me started with watching Dr. Connors trying to "fix" himself by turning himself into a giant humanoid lizard down to the scaly skin, limb regeneration, and all. Then, it hit me... Spider-Man is a horror movie just with a more upbeat soundtrack.

This then caused me to ruminate on how Spider-Man is supposed to be a character we can all relate to, a regular kid from Queens, who struggles with bullying, social anxiety, schoolwork, maintaining friendships, relationship problems, and so on. This is why he is the perfect vessel to show how anyone can wear the mask; anyone can be a hero. Peter shows how someone with the same struggles and fears as us is able to step up and overcome the forces of evil. However, Peter being required to juggle learning how to use his powers with fighting villains, and everyday tasks, also serves as a metaphor for the greatest foe of all: adolescence. Being a teenager is strange to say the least, you're no longer a kid, but not quite an adult. You have more responsibility. You're "too old" to enjoy the things you once loved, and are constantly being asked who you are, while you are trying to discover that for yourself. Puberty only makes this worse. One night you go to bed as yourself, a kid, and the next morning you awake as a stranger, a monster. A stranger who smells weird, has the disgusting minefield of pimples scattered across their face, whose mind is running a mile a minute, and someone-something- that everyone seems to be pointing and laughing at.

This transformation is on full display in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In Brand New Day, you see a now 22-year-old Peter Parker, isolated, depressed, and forgotten by all the people he cares about, undergoing a transformation triggered by the expression of his spider DNA and emotional trauma. Throughout the movie, Peter is trying to learn where he ends, and where Spider-Man begins, while also trying to suppress a portion of his identity (his mutation), and reevaluating his relationships. He continuously embarrasses himself, like accidentally wearing his neighbor's clothes, and faces heartbreaking moments like MJ not reciprocating his feelings because she doesn't remember him. (My heart LITTERALY fell to my stomach during that and the rooftop scene, at least Zendaya and Tom Holland are married in real life.) Through this you see that this confusion, fear, and awkwardness does not end the moment you become an "adult." Instead, you see the horror of becoming who you are is a lifelong battle.

However, there is a beauty in this terror. Growing up, like all change, is painful, but this pain is essential. This pain serves a reminder of who you once were and a welcoming of who will become.  Ultimately, to be you, you must acknowledge the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable of every point of your life, and utilize these moments as building blocks for self-discovery. This journey toward coming of age is going to be frightening and lonely, but it won't always be like this. Eventually, the life you curate for yourself will be as beautiful as you. Now, I leave you with the words of Aunt May:

"You're beautiful, and the people who love you, they love you not because you're special, we love you because you're you. Remember that when it feels like you're totally alone. That's your deepest responsibility." 

Courtesy,

your friend neighborhood blogger

Editor’s Note: Happy Spooky Season! I'm sure that is someone out there who could (probably has) better discuss this topic than I could, but I've just been thinking about this a lot, and wanted to have my thoughts written down somewhere. ❤