Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ending explained

When the first installment, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, hit screens, it spun a web of excitement, and the sequel’s title, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, promised a grand multiverse adventure. The recent release of Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix has left audiences reeling with its unexpected twists and a powerful setup for what’s to come!

Warning: This article contains MAJOR spoilers for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Continuing the gripping narrative established in its predecessor, the film takes us on an exhilarating journey alongside Miles Morales, the web-slinging hero voiced by Shameik Moore. The concept of the multiverse expands, introducing us to alternate versions of our beloved characters and shedding light on the intricate web connecting these different worlds.

Along his journey, he reunites with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and crosses paths with Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac). In this expanded Spidey universe, Miguel has founded the Spider Society, a team of interdimensional Spider-People dedicated to preventing anomalies from disrupting the fabric of the multiverse.

However, the Spider Society has an even more significant mission. It becomes evident that the Spidey characters share common elements in their origin stories: a spider bite grants them powers, they suffer the loss of a mentor or friend early in their journey, and they attempt but fail to save a police captain at some point. This is known as a “canon” event, a crucial occurrence that reverberates throughout the Spider-Verse’s history. So, if any Spider-Person deviates from the intended script, it risks tearing open the multiverse, endangering not only their universe but every universe.

Miles, who learns of this critical information, is devastated, particularly because his father, Jefferson Davis-Morales (Brian Tyree Henry), is about to become a police captain. In an attempt to make it back to his own dimension, Miles stumbles upon a startling revelation – the spider that granted him his powers was never meant for him; it crossed over from another universe accidentally.

As a result, when he tries to return home, he ends up in a parallel universe where his father has passed away, but his uncle Aaron (Mahershala Ali) is still alive. To make matters even more intriguing, the Miles Morales of this universe has become the Prowler, choosing a life of crime, rather than Spider-Man. The movie closes with a face-off between the heroic Miles and his villainous counterpart.

Breaking away from the norm of post-credit scenes, the film boldly chooses to conclude with a gripping “To be continued…” leaving us on the edge of our seats, eagerly awaiting resolution. This unexpected twist sets the stage for the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is slated to be released in 2024.

Exciting updates await fans of Miles Morales’ Spider-Man! As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Sony is in the works for a live-action Miles Morales movie. Moreover, at the premiere of the 2023 film, producer Amy Pascal shared plans for additional Spider-Verse movies, teasing a forthcoming Spider-Woman spin-off.