Spider-Man 3: A Lesson in Forgiveness

Sam Raimi's final Spider-Man film was met with negative reactions, but the film's theme of forgiveness is unique among the superhero genre.

16 years ago, director Sam Raimi released Spider-Man 3, the conclusion to his impressive trilogy of Spider-Man films from the early-to-mid 2000s. Raimi has made no attempt to hide his disdain for Spider-Man 3, even calling it recently “a very painful experience.” The troubled production has been well-documented. Crucial team members like composer Danny Elfman and VFX supervisor John Dykstra declined to return for the third film. Sony and producer Avi Arad interfered with the film much more than previous entries, adding characters and plot points Raimi didn’t intend to use. This all culminated in a messy film that’s a bit too overcrowded for its own good.

However, a modern rewatch of the film reveals a thoughtful screenplay and well-crafted film, though still admittedly flawed. Spider-Man 3 has several key themes, including a less black and white view on morality that Raimi himself has discussed. My favorite message of the film is a direct result of that - forgiveness. As Peter Parker learns that the world isn’t as "black and white” as he thought, it becomes easier for him to forgive, rather than to seek revenge. And we see this theme play out in his arc with every major character of the film. So let’s break down the ways in which we see forgiveness play out among the various characters in Spider-Man 3.

Peter’s Pride (Venom Symbiote)

Before we look at Peter’s interactions with the other characters in the film, we need to understand his own journey. He starts off the film in arguably the happiest state of his life. The city is safer than ever, he’s doing great in college, he’s finally worked things out with his girlfriend, Mary Jane. And to quote Peter, “People really like me.” This is a fascinating way to begin, especially since in the first two films, Peter starts off insecure and already facing a handful of problems.

But this state of security and happiness is a clue to Peter’s downfall in the film - pride. He finally has everything he’s ever wanted, and he’s relying too much on the way his powers bring him fulfillment and happiness.

And it’s here that the venom symbiote enters the story. A black substance that clings to Peter (forming a black Spider-Man suit), Peter’s behavior grows worse and worse, ultimately leading to a hilarious scene that’s become the subject of countless memes.

But the brilliance of the symbiote’s role in this film is that it’s mostly passive. The symbiote doesn’t drastically alter Peter’s personality, it just accentuates the behaviors that Peter already displayed in the film. His self-obsession turns into complete ego-mania, culminating in terrible behavior towards his girlfriend. His anger at uncle Ben’s killer becomes rage, ultimately leading him to seek revenge. We’ll get to those specific actions soon, but Raimi did a great job of showing the audience that this isn’t just the symbiote’s fault, it’s Peter’s.

So before Peter can forgive others (or ask for forgiveness himself), he has to shed his pride and his anger. And this is quite literally represented onscreen by Peter going to a church (how appropriate) and tearing the Venom symbiote off of himself. He has finally shed his burdens and is ready for forgiveness.

Eddie Brock (Venom)

Eddie Brock is introduced as a rival to Peter in the film, spending the first two acts trying to one-up him by capturing better pictures of Spider-Man. Brock is shown to be arrogant, dishonest, and reckless, and ultimately Peter catches him trying to pass off photoshopped pictures of Spider-Man as his own. He angrily confronts Eddie about it, at which point Eddie asks him:

Eddie Brock: Parker, you are such a boy scout. When are you gonna give a guy a break?

Peter Parker: You want forgiveness? Get religion.

Ding ding ding! Forgiveness front and center. But at this point in the script, Peter is still his worst self, under the influence of the symbiote. Ironically, not long after this, they both “seek religion” by going to a church. Peter, as mentioned before, goes to the church and finally rids himself of the Venom symbiote. Eddie, on the other hand, decides to pray and makes an…odd…request of God.

Eddie Brock: I come before you today, humbled and humiliated, to ask you for one thing... I want you to kill Peter Parker.

Of course, this prayer happens at the same time Peter tears off the symbiote, and seeking a new host, the symbiote finds a perfect candidate in Eddie. Eddie fully embraces his anger and evilness, becoming Venom and wreaking havoc on New York City. Once again, the symbiote didn’t change Eddie’s personality - he wanted to kill Peter before he was Venom, and becoming Venom only further enables that.

In their final confrontation, Peter does attempt to reconcile with Eddie, having faced the same temptations himself. He offers him a chance for forgiveness.

Peter Parker: I know what it feels like. It feels good. The power. Everything. But you'll lose yourself. Let it go.

Unfortunately, Eddie is too far gone. Peter tries to blow up the symbiote, and Eddie dives straight into the bomb and dies, unwilling to lose the newfound power. Peter and Eddie form a dark mirror of each other in the film. Peter realizes the dangers of the symbiote and ultimately humbles himself by removing it. Eddie only sees the power of the symbiote, and is blind to its negative effects.

Flint Marko (Sandman)

The character of Sandman was always meant to be morally ambiguous in Raimi’s film. Flint Marko is a down-on-his-luck criminal who desperately needs to get money for his critically ill daughter’s treatment. After getting trapped in an experimental government facility, he gains powers that allow him to shapeshift using sand.

Having gained these remarkable powers, Marko tries to rob an armored truck in order to gain the money he needs. It’s at this point that he comes into conflict with Spider-Man, defeating him and escaping. To make matters worse, the NYPD informs Peter that Marko is actually the criminal who killed his uncle Ben years earlier.

Peter is already battling his inner demons, and this discovery drives him over the edge. He seeks out Marko for revenge, and seemingly kills him. But some advice from his aunt May changes Peter’s heart for the better:

Aunt May: Uncle Ben wouldn't want us living with revenge in our hearts, it's like a poison. It can take you over and turn us into something ugly.

Sandman returns towards the end of the film, stronger than ever, and battles further with Spider-Man. But free from the influence of the symbiote (and his own pride), the resolution of their conflict doesn’t come from defeat in combat, but from a simple conversation they have.

Flint Marko: I did a terrible thing to you. I spent a lot of nights wishing I could take it back. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I just want you to understand.

Peter Parker: I've done terrible things too…I forgive you.

Peter’s own journey throughout the film has taught him that revenge isn’t the answer. That a person’s mistakes don’t have to define who they are. Over the course of this film, Peter’s pride and anger have ruined relationships and even caused him to come close to murder.

He finally understands the ways that circumstances can affect people’s actions. And that’s all Marko asked from him, saying “I just want you to understand.” But Peter goes a step further. He doesn’t just want people to understand his actions. He wants forgiveness. And the first way to do that? By extending forgiveness himself.

Harry Osborn (New Goblin)

Harry Osborn’s arc has been built up over the entirety of the trilogy, his anger constantly brewing over his perception of Spider-Man’s role in his father’s death. As this film begins, Harry is taking the green goblin serum and becomes the “New Goblin.” However, a blow to the head soon gives him amnesia, sidelining him as a threat for a large portion of the film.

Through the magic of filmmaking, Harry remembers everything and once again plots against Peter, first by trying to seduce Mary Jane, and finally by attacking Peter. Peter, still battling his own inner demons (and wearing the symbiote suit), hurls one of Harry’s own pumpkin bombs back at him, disfiguring him and nearly killing him.

While Peter would go on to remove the symbiote and reconcile with his own failures, a bitter and bruised Harry refuses to help Peter, still full of anger. That is, until his butler reveals to him the truth - Spider-Man didn’t kill his father. Having reached an understanding of Peter’s actions, Harry comes to help him out in the final battle, rescuing him from Venom’s attack, but getting fatally wounded in the process. Heartbroken, Peter and Harry share one final exchange.

Peter Parker: I should never have hurt you, said those things.

Harry Osborn: None of that matters, Peter. You’re my friend.

Peter and Harry’s love and friendship for one another allows them to forgive one another. 1 Peter 4:8 gives Christians the command to “keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Much like that commandment, their love for one another overcomes any pain or hurt that they caused each other. It allows them to forgive.

Mary Jane Watson

Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship seems like it’s on good terms, but from the start of the film we can see the cracks forming, thanks again to Peter’s pride. After a critic gives MJ a poor review for her theatrical performance, Peter’s “advice” to her shows that he’s more self-obsessed than he is a caring boyfriend.

Peter Parker: That's a critic. This is something you're gonna have to get used to. Believe me, I know. Spider-Man gets attacked all the time.

Mary Jane Watson: This isn't about you. It's about me. It's about my career…Try to understand how I feel.

Peter still doesn’t get it though, kissing Gwen Stacy in a public Spider-Man appearance, and gleefully listening to the crowds cheer as his bravery is commended, all while MJ haplessly stands by and watches. After a botched proposal attempt and Peter’s increasingly thoughtless actions, MJ breaks up with him, telling him what the audience already knows - “you aren’t there for me.”

Peter’s behavior only grows worse and he further embraces the symbiote, and he visits the jazz club where MJ works. He intentionally shows off in front of her, making a spectacle of himself and his new date Gwen, before ultimately being kicked out of the club, and in a difficult moment, inadvertently pushing Mary Jane down as he angrily fights off the club’s bouncers.

When Peter tears off the symbiote, he’s able to overcome his worst self and forgive himself in spite of his flaws. And in the film’s grand finale, he saves a captured MJ from Venom. But after all that he’s done, can Mary Jane ever forgive him?

That’s the beauty of the film’s ending. We see Mary Jane singing in a club, much like their previous encounter where Peter caused her so much pain. But this time, Peter arrives, gently extends his hand, and she embraces him. There are no words, no definitive signs of resolution between them. Maybe they’ll get back together. Maybe they’ll just be friends. But the look in their eyes tells you that MJ has forgiven him, and that Peter will do anything it takes to make things right. It’s an unusual end to a superhero film, let alone a trilogy. There’s no montage of Spider-Man saving the day, no heroic swing through the city. Just Peter seeking forgiveness, and Mary Jane extending it.

Spider-Man 3’s Legacy

The moral lesson of Spider-Man 3 is quite clear here. We all have made mistakes and need forgiveness. And what a unique lesson for a superhero film! Fifteen years (and dozens of superhero films) later, that’s a lesson that few other films in the genre have tried to tackle.

I could have written another full blog post on the Christian applications of that lesson. The Bible is filled with writings like Ephesians 4:32:

Be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.

Or Jesus’ own words in Matthew 6:14:

If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you.

Much like Peter Parker, we’ve all sinned, we’ve all made mistakes. But a Christian’s heart should be full of forgiveness, because we have been offered that same forgiveness by God. Starting our interactions with others from this perspective completely changes our mindset. Imagine how we could resolve conflicts and wrongdoing if we approached others with a heart of forgiveness.

Ironically, Spider-Man 3’s lesson on forgiveness can also now be applied as a meta take on the film as a whole. While it was not the director’s intention, we can now look at Spider-Man 3, flaws and all, forgive the mess, and embrace it. A filmmaker’s mistakes shouldn’t define his legacy or his film. It’s one thing to understand those mistakes, but we’ll find even more enjoyment when we forgive a film’s mistakes. And that’s the point I’ve reached with the vastly misunderstood Spider-Man 3.