Spider-Man: Lotus (2023) (Fan-Film Review)

Spider-Man: Lotus is a 2023 American superhero fan film based on the Marvel Comics character, Spider-Man. It was produced, directed and co-written by Gavin J. Konop. The film stars Director Wayne as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Sean Thomas Reid as Harry Osborn and Moriah Brooklyn as Mary Jane Watson. [1]

This is a not-for-profit feature film, not affiliated with Marvel, Sony or Disney, created by fans of the character, so not associated with Marvel Studios or Sony Pictures, but was funded by fans via an Indiegogo campaign. Its trailer was broadcast on Twitter and YouTube, helping to raise awareness of the film. The film began attracting media attention in June 2022 after messages leaked online in which Konop and Wayne used discriminatory language, sparking a controversy that was widely covered by the media.

If you’re expecting a film with non-stop action, you couldn’t be more wrong. This film is very psychological. I thought this film would be incredible. In some ways it is, it’s very well made… but… There are still quite a few obscure points. In fact, it’s not at all what you’d expect and that’s disturbing.

The first scene with Spider-Man’s first fight is spectacular and we see our hero as we love to see him: at the top of his game! What’s more, for the first time we finally see the villainous Shocker in a film.

But the film soon descends into a tragedy that quickly becomes boring.
As the film progresses, you end up getting caught up in it and being touched.

Here we see Peter Parker’s love for Gwen Stacy. We see him setting things straight with Mary-Jane and not seeming to hold her too dear to his heart, especially when big truths come out.

The film makes a link with the with the tragedy that happens to Gwendolyn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) with Andrew Garfield (where Emma Stone played a fabulous Gwen), but mixes it with what also happened with the Goblin in the first Spider-Man (2002) with Tobey Maguire.

This story depicts one of the few moments when Peter decides to stop being a superhero. It also shows the friendship between Mary-Jane and Gwen. It’s great to see the two women in Spidey’s life together. Harry is the fourth member of this very close group of friends. As for Flash Thompson, he can be considered the fifth, although he’s not really as close as the others.

For the first time, we meet Tim, a kid who’s a huge Spider-Man fan and lives only for him.
I can’t remember if he was called that in the comics or the cartoon. The scene is very accurate, in any case.

There’s a lot of talk about the Sinister Six. A lot of us are hoping to see them in the cinema, but are afraid of being disappointed. It’s a real dilemma!

A film dedicated to the creators of Spidey, with very little action.
So who is this film for?
It’s essentially a two-hour drama. So it might appeal to all fans of drama without too much science fiction.
It will, of course, appeal to the biggest Spider-Man fans who like to see this hero in all his guises and expect nothing from him, because everything satisfies them.

On the other hand, if you’re expecting to see this superhero fight all his enemies, brave all kinds of danger and save people, you can skip it.

A very good & powerful moment.

My Rating