The Hero's Journey in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" by Nathan Collins

Ordinary World

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 01:05:21 UTC

We are introduced to our protagonist, Miles Morales, the son of police officer Jefferson Davis and nurse Rio Morales. Miles lives a relatively ordinary life in Brooklyn, struggling to live up to the expectations of his family while attending the prestigious private school Brooklyn Visions Academy. In his free time, Miles likes to do art, often hanging out with his uncle Aaron Davis and painting graffiti in the abandoned subway station. This event is what directly leads Miles into his "call to action."

Call to Action

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 16:15:29 UTC

Miles's "call to action" comes when he's in the sewer with his uncle. He gets bitten by a radioactive spider from Alchemax, a laboratory dedicated to discovering untapped fields of science such as interdimensional travel. While initially he shrugs it off as a regular spider, things take a weird turn for Miles when he discovers Kingpin's collider, which Spider-Man is actively working to destroy. However, when Green Goblin severely wounds Spider-Man, Spider-Man ends up giving the USB necessary to destroy the collider to Miles, tasking him to do what he failed to do before promptly dying. This puts Miles directly in the center of action.

Meet the Mentor

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 16:20:15 UTC

Although Miles immediately steps up to play the role of the new Spider-Man, he accidentally breaks the USB while doing so, resigning and giving up. However, while mourning at Spider-Man's grave, Miles stumbles upon his mentor: Peter B. Parker, a Spider-Man from another dimension. Although at first he is burnt out and unwilling to help Miles, he warms up to the idea and becomes his mentor.

Crossing the First Threshold

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 16:42:03 UTC

Miles's first threshold is crossed when he and Peter visit Alchemax to steal the necessary data to make another USB. There, danger is presented to him in the form of head scientist Olivia Octavius, better known under the alias Doc Ock. Despite this, Peter and Miles manage to escape with the data after being rescued by Gwen Stacy, a classmate of Miles who's also a Spider-Woman from another dimension.

Tests, Allies, Enemies

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 17:12:43 UTC

Miles then goes to visit Peter's aunt, who turns out to be housing many other Spider-people from other dimensions. However, when they tell him that he is inexperienced and cannot help them, he becomes greatly upset and goes to his uncle's house. There, he discovers that his uncle is actually Kingpin's ruthless mercenary "The Prowler." Becoming even more upset, he returns to Aunt May's house, only to discover that he has been tracked by The Prowler- and the battle ensues.

Innermost Cave

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 17:30:35 UTC

Miles's "Innermost Cave" is mostly mental for him. During the battle that takes place at Aunt May's house, The Prowler captures Miles and reveals his identity. However, unwilling to kill his nephew, The Prowler is shot by Kingpin and killed. Furthermore, when they finally regroup with Miles, they restrain him, forbidding him from fighting because they do not want him to risk his safety. Everything he has experienced has left him devastated. However, he begins to regain his confidence after his dad comes to talk to him through the door, apologizing for his mistakes and expressing faith in Miles. This confidence in him allows him to escape his bonds, control his powers, and become a much better Spider-Man.

Reward

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 17:36:40 UTC

Miles's reward is pretty simple: he rejoins the gang, helps them defeat Kingpin's guards, and sends them home using the USB he made earlier. However, the story is not even close to over for Miles yet.

The Road Back/Resurrection

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 17:50:40 UTC

I classify this part of the movie as both events because it serves both purposes- both the light at the end of the tunnel for Miles and also his final test. Now, he must fight Kingpin himself, in the bright and unforgiving landscape of a rapidly deteriorating collider. This does not come with ease for Miles, but after his dad's attention is caught by the ongoing fight, he begins encouraging Spider-Man, which gives Miles the motivation he needs to launch Kingpin into the kill switch.

Return with the Elixir

collinsn2026 — 2024-03-22 17:56:34 UTC

Although there is no significant physical reward for Miles at the end of this movie, he returns a much more emotionally mature person with increased confidence, and he feels much more prepared to accept the responsibilities of both his regular life and his superhero life. Kingpin gets arrested, the city is saved from the collider, and all is well.