The film's slow, plodding pace relies too much on strong performances and grubby splashes of "atmosphere" rather than genuine emotion and plot.

| Jan 3, 2018

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 30, 2006

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 28, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 4, 2003

This is one of the director's most accomplished films.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Apr 26, 2003

It's a pleasure to watch such an understated treatment of potentially sensational subject matter.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 24, 2003

Although languid to a fault, Spider offers some payoff for those with enough patience to stick it out.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 11, 2003

Spider isn't nearly as disturbing as it is intriguing, despite its subject matter.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Apr 4, 2003

A dark, brilliant journey into memory and schizophrenia whose peeled-back layers reveal an unexpected heroism.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 28, 2003

A bleakly brilliant exploration of mental illness.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Mar 27, 2003

A restrained and elegant piece of work from a director whose name is more readily associated with goo and gore.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 14, 2003

Spider is, in fact, a marvel, but it's also prickly, slow, withdrawn, and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 14, 2003

Sad, compelling and morbidly, tragically watchable.

Full Review | Mar 14, 2003

An eensy-weensy movie sustained by two utterly gigantic performances.

Full Review | Mar 14, 2003

The details of the film and of the performances are meticulously realized; there is a reward in seeing artists working so well. But the story has no entry or exit, and is cold, sad and hopeless. Afterward, I feel more admiration than gratitude.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 14, 2003

A difficult film, but an inspired one, the movie equivalent of eating a meal of artfully prepared eel or sea urchin.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 13, 2003

Cold as the film may seem, Cronenberg's nightmare talent has rarely been at such a high, terrifying boil.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 13, 2003

Working from Patrick McGrath's script and novel, Cronenberg delivers his most austere film to date.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 7, 2003

Spider, David Cronenberg's latest, shows the director once again at the top of his form.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 7, 2003

Filmmakers always gamble with an audience's sympathy when they resort to narrative trickery. I would argue that Mr. Cronenberg and Mr. McGrath have lost their gamble, though I can't help honoring their high-minded intentions.

| Mar 6, 2003