Spider-Man Studio Split Derailed Shared Universe

This review contains spoilers for Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Kraven the Hunter. Proceed with caution if you haven't seen these films.

While both Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Kraven the Hunter fall under the Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) banner, their connection is tenuous at best. The films exist in their own separate narratives, with little crossover or shared universe elements beyond a passing mention or visual easter egg. The lack of significant interconnectedness is a key difference between the SSU and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Instead of a tightly woven tapestry of storylines, the SSU feels more like a collection of standalone films featuring characters from the Spider-Man mythos. This approach allows for greater creative freedom for each individual film, but it also prevents the kind of synergistic storytelling that defines the MCU. Whether this is a strength or weakness depends entirely on audience preference. Some viewers may appreciate the independence of each film, while others may miss the interconnectedness and larger narrative arcs found in the MCU.