Home > News > Dakota Johnson Slams Execs Over Madame Web Flop

Dakota Johnson Slams Execs Over Madame Web Flop

by Benjamin Oct 07,2025

Madame Web has cemented its place among the most disappointing superhero films in history, crashing at the box office amid scathing reviews. It earned the dubious honor of Sony's worst opening weekend for any Spider-Man-related film and became the first Marvel release since Fox's ill-fated Fantastic Four reboot to miss the #1 spot.

Even visionary game creator Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding) offered just six terse words in his assessment. IGN provided slightly more detail, criticizing the film's "overstuffed" narrative burdened by "superfluous characters, clichéd tropes, and uninspired dialogue."

Following this debacle and the subsequent failure of Kraven the Hunter, reports suggest Sony has abandoned its Spider-Verse spinoffs to concentrate on next year's guaranteed success, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

What doomed Madame Web? Post-mortems have proliferated since its release. Actress Emma Roberts (Mary Parker) blamed internet culture's tendency to "turn everything into memes," noting how one trailer line became a viral joke despite being cut from the final film.

Co-star Sydney Sweeney (Julia Cornwall/Spider-Woman) claimed she was simply "going with the flow," then used her SNL hosting gig to distance herself entirely: "You definitely didn't see me in Madame Web," while highlighting her more acclaimed roles.

Now lead actress Dakota Johnson has offered deeper insights into the film's troubled production, revealing systemic issues behind its collapse.

Sony's Spider-Man Universe: Chronological Viewing Guide

View 10 Images

During her Materialists press tour with the Los Angeles Times, Johnson addressed Madame Web's failure bluntly: "I'm not to blame."

"Today's filmmaking suffers from too many non-creatives making creative decisions," she explained. "When executives without vision dictate artistic choices, you can't craft compelling entertainment. Madame Web completely evolved from its original concept, and I became caught in that current. Big-budget failures happen constantly."

Dakota Johnson critiques Madame Web's collapse. Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images.

These remarks amplify Johnson's earlier Bustle interview where she stated: "Artistry dies when you chase algorithms. Studios underestimate audiences - they always recognize authenticity."

The actress appears at peace with this career misstep. "I'm not healing from trauma," she noted. "I've made small films that flopped too. That's the business."

Sony's fledgling Spider-Verse currently comprises six films: both Venom installments, Morbius, Madame Web, the upcoming Venom: The Last Dance, and Kraven the Hunter. Notably, Venom star Tom Hardy recently addressed failed discussions for a Spider-Man crossover.