Spiderhead Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Convicts get high on love drugs, then things get awkward at the office Christmas party because the boss is a narcisstic maniac who takes advantage of his position. This film really is the ultimate cautionary tale against free drugs.

🍿 Spiderhead: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Spiderhead Penitentiary

In the near future, Spiderhead is a state-of-the-art penitentiary where inmates volunteer as test subjects for experimental drugs in exchange for reduced sentences. Overseen by the charismatic Steve Abnesti, and his assistant Mark, the inmates enjoy relative freedom within the facility, participating in drug trials that alter their emotions and perceptions. The movie introduces Jeff, an inmate grappling with guilt from a past tragedy.

Drug Trials and Ethical Dilemmas

Jeff experiences a range of emotions through various drugs, including ‘N-40,’ a love drug, and ‘Darkenfloxx,’ a drug that induces intense fear and pain. As the trials progress, Jeff begins to question the ethics of the experiments, especially when he is asked to choose which inmate should receive Darkenfloxx. The suicide of an inmate, Heather, after receiving Darkenfloxx, further fuels Jeff’s doubts and leads him to investigate Abnesti’s true motives.

Unveiling the Truth

Jeff discovers that Abnesti is not working for a larger organization, but is in fact running the prison as part of his own pharmaceutical company, Abnesti Pharmaceuticals. The drugs are not named by any scientific process, but taken from a bingo card. Abnesti is actually testing a compliance drug, B-6, using the other drugs as a means to control and manipulate the inmates. Jeff is also told that he finished his prison sentence 7 months ago.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth): The charismatic but ultimately psychopathic scientist running the Spiderhead facility and experimenting with mind-altering drugs on inmates.
• Jeff (Miles Teller): A conflicted inmate at Spiderhead, haunted by his past, who becomes increasingly suspicious of Abnesti’s motives.
• Lizzy (Jurnee Smollett): An inmate at Spiderhead who forms a deep connection with Jeff and becomes a target of Abnesti’s experiments.
• Mark Paguio (Mark Paguio): Abnesti’s loyal assistant who starts to question the morality of the experiments at Spiderhead.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abnesti: “The time to worry about crossing lines was… a lot of lines ago.” – Abnesti says this to justify his increasingly unethical actions in the drug experiments.
• Jeff: “Acknowledge.” – Jeff is constantly asked to ‘acknowledge’ the drug administration, highlighting the lack of true consent.
• Abnesti: “We’re changing the world!” – Abnesti says this to justify his research, showcasing his delusion of doing good despite the unethical experiments.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Spiderhead Reviews

Personal Review

I went in not knowing what to expect and I gotta say, the movie left me with mixed feelings. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Hemsworth and Teller and the concept was interesting. However, the story didn’t quite reach its full potential and the ending felt rushed. The music was great though and there were some genuinely funny moments, but overall it was a bit of a letdown. However, it was an easy watch and an interesting concept so I’d recommend it. There are worse ways to spend an evening. 6/10.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in ethical questions about scientific experimentation”
  • “Those who enjoy Chris Hemsworth in villainous roles”
  • “Fans of Joseph Kosinski’s other work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “While Spiderhead’s premise holds promise, it ultimately falls flat. Hemsworth and Teller deliver, but the script doesn’t explore the interesting concepts. It’s a decent watch, but don’t expect anything game-changing.
• N/A: “Chris Hemsworth’s charismatic performance and Miles Teller’s dramatic skills can’t rescue a movie that veers into a bonkers final act. The tone is all over the place and the film ends with a jarring shift to a needle-drop action sequence that feels all over the place in a so-bad-it’s-good way.
• N/A: “Despite some visual flair, Spiderhead never makes the most of its intriguing setup. The script is weak and tonal shifts abound. The ending is a letdown as the movie fails to make viewers care or provide satisfying closure.

Audience Reactions

Hemsworth delivers a charismatic and entertaining performance as a villain.: Viewers loved the chemistry between Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller, and the quirky, fun soundtrack.

The film is visually interesting with colourful cinematography and a cool production design.: Many found the premise intriguing but felt the execution didn’t live up to its full potential.

Overall Consensus: Spiderhead has an interesting premise and solid performances, particularly from Chris Hemsworth, but the story falls short of its potential and the ending is unsatisfying.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the short story ‘Escape from Spiderhead’ by George Saunders, which was originally published in The New Yorker.”
• “Director Joseph Kosinski was working on ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ at the same time, leading to both films releasing in the same year.”
• “The film uses many late 70’s and 80’s songs for its soundtrack, which some viewers found to be jarring or overused.”

🖥️ How to Watch Spiderhead?

Spiderhead is currently streaming on Netflix. At this time, it is exclusively available on Netflix and is not available for rent or purchase on other platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. A Netflix subscription is required to view this movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Spiderhead, you might like these similar films:

• Ex Machina (2014): Both films explore the ethics of experimentation and the manipulation of human consciousness in isolated, high-tech environments.
• The Island (2005): Features a manufactured environment where individuals are deceived for scientific gain, similar to the prisoners in Spiderhead.
• Altered States (1980): Explores the dangers of mind-altering substances and scientific hubris, dealing with the psychological effects of drugs.
• Limitless (2011): Explores the consequences of a drug with mind-altering properties.

🛒 Spiderhead Related Products

• Escape from Spiderhead: Stories: The original collection of short stories that includes “Escape from Spiderhead,” the basis for the film. Explore George Saunders’ darkly humorous and thought-provoking world.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Spiderhead – Abnesti: A stylized Funko Pop! figure of Chris Hemsworth’s character, Steve Abnesti. Captures his unique and sinister charm from the film.
• Spiderhead Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official Spiderhead movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or office. Show off your love for the movie.
• Brain Games – Crime Scene Investigation Puzzle: Engage your inner investigator with a crime scene investigation puzzle. Inspired by the suspenseful elements of ‘Spiderhead’, solve the mystery and uncover the truth.

🎧 Soundtrack

Spiderhead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Logical Song” – performed by Supertramp
• “She Blinded Me with Science” – performed by Thomas Dolby

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

In This Prison They Inject Inmates With LOVE Substance And Conduct Horrible Experiments

Okay, this recap dives deep into the messed-up world of Spiderhead. If you’re confused about the drugs and experiments, this video will break it all down, and honestly, it’s wild how much they packed into this movie!

Guided Meditation with Chris Hemsworth #Spiderhead

Need a quick laugh? Chris Hemsworth does a ‘guided meditation’ that’s totally in character as the creepy Steve Abnesti. It’s super short and pretty funny – definitely worth a watch!

Spiderhead Review

Wondering if Spiderhead is actually any good? IGN’s review breaks down what works and what doesn’t. I found it helpful to hear a critic’s perspective before deciding if I wanted to watch it.

Easter Eggs You Missed In Spiderhead | Netflix

Did you catch all the hidden details in Spiderhead? This video from Netflix uncovers some cool easter eggs and behind-the-scenes secrets that you probably missed. It’s a fun way to appreciate the movie even more!

✨ Rate