Spider-Man is an action movie directed by Sam Raimi. It tells the story of a teenager acquiring supernatural abilities. The following text will depict the twelve steps of the Hero’s Journey, using the scenes as examples. During the first step, Peter Parker is depicted as a schoolboy who is bullied by his classmates. The movie introduces his love interest, Mary Jane Watson, and his friend, Harry Osborn. Peter’s life changes after being bitten by a spider during a field trip to a laboratory. As a result, he acquires supernatural abilities, such as web shooting and climbing walls. At this point, Parker is overjoyed and unaware of the responsibilities that follow. The third step takes place when Peter is given a chance to catch a robber who steals money from an accountant after a wrestling match Parker has finished. The guy rejects the opportunity, letting the bandit run away. This mistake leads to said robber killing Peter’s uncle, Ben.
After the death of the boy’s uncle, he recognizes the latter as a mentor figure and follows his words. During the fifth step, Parker becomes a hero by fighting crime in New York. The multiple tests approach him when he is confronted by his new nemesis: the Green Goblin. The latter believes that humans are unreliable and offers Peter an alliance. Moreover, Peter’s love interest is dating his best friend, and the boss at his new job despises Spider-Man.
The stakes are raised when Norman (Goblin) notices a cut on the guy’s arm during a Thanksgiving dinner with May, MJ, and Harry. He realizes that Parker is Spider-Man because the injury is identical to his enemy’s. This leads to the eighth step when May is attacked by Goblin. Peter realizes what may happen if he loses his anonymity (Raimi, 2002). The Reward is represented by Mary Jane having a personal conversation, and after May overhears it and advises Peter to confess, he does it indirectly, and MJ holds his hand.
Spider-Man has his final battle with the Green Goblin, with the latter forcing the former to choose between Mary Jane’s life and saving the lives of a group of kids he is holding hostage. Peter successfully rescues both MJ and the children, having to fight the Goblin for the last time later. Norman dies, trying to kill the guy but indirectly causing his own demise. Parker acknowledges his responsibilities in the final stage and continues living as Spider-Man.
Reference
Raimi, S. (2002). Spider-Man. Columbia Pictures.