Overview
- Morbius marks itself as the least catastrophic film within Sony’s brief Spider-Man universe.
- This vampire-centric narrative faced financial setbacks, unfavorable reviews, and developed a notable presence as a meme online.
- On February 28, Morbius will be available for streaming on Max, following earlier accessibility on platforms like Disney+ and Netflix.
Morbius is set for a third opportunity to showcase its unique interpretation of vampirism when it streams on Max this February. With the recent release of Kraven: The Hunter, many might say that Morbius has claimed its title as the least failed entry in Sony’s short-lived six-film Spider-Man franchise.
The consensus emphasizes that the villain-oriented series has not enjoyed significant success, with only the Venom films achieving reasonable critical and fiscal outcomes. Despite its status as a box office disappointment, Morbius has garnered a certain level of notoriety among comic book enthusiasts, though for dubious reasons. Its unexpected journey into meme culture even warranted a theatrical revival just two months post its initial release.
Plot Summary of Morbius
A Modern Take on Vampirism
Watch the Trailer
In Morbius, Jared Leto stars as Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist honored with a Nobel Prize that he declines. Struggling with a rare blood condition, he embarks on a perilous journey towards a cure by genetically melding human DNA with that of vampire bats. This operation is supported both financially and morally by his childhood companion Milo, portrayed by Matt Smith — known for his recent role as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
While Morbius succeeds in creating a serum that cures his ailment, it comes with alarming side effects: a newly ripped physique and acute senses, including echolocation. However, the true horror lies in his unquenchable thirst for blood.
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Director |
Daniel Espinosa |
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Writers |
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Initial Release Date |
April 1, 2022 |
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Cast |
Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, Tyrese Gibson |
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Production Budget |
$75 million |
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Box Office Earnings |
$167 million |
As Morbius struggles to control his ravenous urges, he resorts to the artificial blood he previously synthesized, but this resource proves to lose effectiveness. Meanwhile, Milo, driven by ambition, disregards Morbius’s warnings and consumes the serum, embracing his bloodthirsty identity while wreaking havoc. Ultimately, this leads Morbius to confront Milo in a climactic standoff, where a confrontation using an anti-vampirism serum determines the fate of their friendship. Notably, Spider-Man is scarcely referenced throughout the film, save for post-credit scenes featuring Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes (Vulture), who directly links his predicament to Spider-Man and hints at a potential collaboration with Morbius to form a Sinister Six team.
What to Expect from Morbius on February 28
The last day of February will provide comic book aficionados another opportunity to either commend or critique this widely criticized comic book film. Viewers can enjoy Morbius from their own homes when it becomes available for streaming on Max. Its presence on the platform adds to Max’s burgeoning film library, which already boasts popular features such as A Different Man starring Sebastian Stan, the 2016 action-comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses featuring Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot, and the highly regarded crime thriller Den of Thieves.
Reception and Critique of Morbius
Box Office Failures and Dismal Ratings
Morbius proved to be a financial misstep for Sony, marking its first significant flop in the Spider-Man franchise. According to data from Box Office Mojo, the film grossed only $167.4 million globally, with approximately $73 million from North America, against a substantial production budget of $75 million. Although it opened strongly at the North American box office, the sequel weekend saw a dramatic 73.8% decline, marking it as one of the steepest drops among superhero films at that time, only to be superseded by releases such as The Marvels and Joker: Folie à Deux. Remarkably, Morbius avoids holding the record for the lowest box office performance within this franchise—that title now belongs to Kraven the Hunter, which only managed $60.9 million.
Critics and comic book fans were equally unimpressed by Morbius, with scant fans defending it amidst widespread disdain. Notably, the film has received a meager 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes due to lackluster CGI and shallow character arcs, positioning it as the lowest-rated comic book film—though it’s noteworthy that Madame Web has an even grimmer rating of 11%.For Jared Leto, this represents a second disappointment in the superhero genre, following critiques of his portrayal of the Joker in 2016’s Suicide Squad. However, it’s important to note that Leto’s performance is not singled out as a key issue affecting Morbius.
Morbius’ Legacy as a Meme
The Rise of “It’s Morbin’ Time”
Despite its dismal performance, Morbius lives on in the realm of internet memes. While many lesser films achieve recognition years post-release, Morbius gained notoriety just weeks after hitting theaters. Social media platforms exploded with quips like “It’s Morbin’ Time” and phrases like “Morbiussweep” that satirize the film’s perceived indestructibility at the box office. Nevertheless, this viral popularity has yet to translate into financial gains or a sequel opportunity.
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