Across the Spider-Verse Hits Harder for Black, Brown, & Latine Viewers
Into the Spider-Verse was the radioactive spider that bit me and changed my DNA forever.
What rocked my world was simple: Spider-Man was Afro-Latino. Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) was a dark-skinned, curly-haired, Spanglish-speaking, plátanos-eating kid dodging besos from his overprotective Latina mom just like me. For the first time, I could picture myself under my favorite superhero mask.
For five years, I waited impatiently for my Spider-Man to return, and on June 2nd, he returned with a bang. The latest installment, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, exceeds expectations, with breathtaking animation, lovable characters, insidious villains, and more.
One of the sequel’s biggest triumphs, however, is its doubling down on the importance of Miles’ racial and cultural identity to his role as Spider-Man.
Throughout the film, it’s made clear that Miles’ Afro-Latino identity is more than just an accessory. Rather, his heritage is integral to the movie, a source of strength, and part of what makes him an incredible Spider-Man. The result is an empowering watch for anyone, but it hits hardest for Black, Brown, and Latine people who feel reflected on the big screen.
The absence of subtitles for the Spanish dialogue throughout the film is a deliberate choice that speaks volumes. Phil Lord, the producer behind this decision, explains, “I grew up in a bilingual household in the bilingual city of Miami where you hear Spanish all over the place, and it’s not particularly remarkable. It was important for us to hear Spanish and not necessarily have it subtitled. It’s just part of the fabric of Miles’ community and family life.”
White, English-speaking audiences have grown to expect subtitles because they’ve always been the target audience. But this default perpetuates harmful structures of white superiority in the film industry and marginalizes non-white cultures as “outsiders.” By ditching the subtitles, Across the Spider-Verse repudiates these ideas.
Spanish is present and significant, but it doesn’t have to explain itself. As Lord said, it’s simply part of Miles’ cultural identity. Thus, it’s seamlessly embedded into the soul of the film, which is inextricable from that identity. It just belongs, and the same powerful message is sent to the audience members who understand it, creating a validating viewing experience for Spanish speakers: You belong and this is for you.
Across the Spider-Verse portrays Afro-Latino heritage most impactfully through Miles’ relationship with his mother, Rio Morales (Lauren Vélez).
Whether it’s Rio snapping at Miles for getting a “B” in Spanish class, freaking out at the idea of him leaving home for New Jersey, wanting him to date a Spanish speaker, or fearing that no one will care for him like she does — every Latine family member in the audience can relate to these fun moments and the strong sense of familial values and pride engrained in our roots and history.
Miles’ rich family history, strong familial ties, and pride unique to his Afro-Latino heritage — all things that the Peter Parkers of the Multiverse never had — become a major source of strength as he comes into his own and takes charge of his destiny by the end of the film.
The most potent example of this is the advice that Rio gives Miles before he embarks on his most dangerous mission yet. She tells him, “Wherever you go from here, you have to promise to take care of that little boy for me. Make sure he never forgets where he came from. And never doubts that he’s loved. And never lets anyone tell him that he doesn’t belong there.”
Rio’s words undeniably carry a different weight for Black, Brown, and Latine folks who have been excluded and oppressed on account of their identity.
As a Black, Dominican American who has spent most of my life in predominantly white spaces, I know the feeling of having others, who have never walked in my shoes, define my identity, and tell me what I am and am not capable of. I’ve navigated the thin line between identities, often feeling like I don’t truly belong to either. Rio’s words are like a North Star, a reminder to no matter what, remember who you are, and have confidence. You are worthy of everything.
Rio’s heartfelt message allows Miles to be fearless come the main conflict of the film, when he’s told that the radioactive spider that bit him was from another dimension, and he was never supposed to be Spider-Man. Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac) tells Miles, “You don’t belong here,” as infinite Spidey creatures chase him down.
In a badass sequence of defiance and willpower, Miles affirms his identity as Spider-Man and defeats them all, attributing his strength to his family. He tells his mother, “I kept thinking about what you said… I know how strong I am now. I’m strong because of you and dad, and us.”
I was electrified in my seat. Watching Miles win felt like watching us win.
Stan Lee famously said that anyone can wear the mask, but Across the Spider-Verse gives us a Spider-Man that is distinctly and authentically Afro-Latino, and that means something. The next generation of Spidey fans will grow up with a Black, Puerto Rican Spider-Man who’s strong because of where he’s from, not in spite of it. How beautiful is that?
