the head and the heart

full shot of peter’s toes in the tub (best experienced on the largest screen near you)

an extra going “no that can’t be spiderman” right as peter steps out of the hospital (its wuiet but i swear its there)

peter watching the film about spiders’ life cycles in absolute silence and disgust

walking out of the elevator in juicy couture sweatpants

“i’ve narrowed it down to two top suspects” pans to flash and mr. harrington

peter refusing to take his mask off both in the spa and while drinking coffee

The biggest surprise for me was Peter. I feel like this is the closest we've gotten to a genuinely comic-accurate Peter Parker in the MCU. He's exhausted, lonely, carrying the weight of everything he's lost, and trying to do the right thing anyway. This version of Peter is so painfully depressed in a way that feels... right. Being Spider-Man has always been about enduring more than anyone reasonably should, and this movie finally lets him exist in that space.

I also really loved Peter's dynamic with Frank Castle. They're complete opposites in how they approach justice, but beneath all the arguing and clashing ideals, there was this quiet understanding between them. Frank sees just how broken Peter is, and Peter sees the humanity Frank insists on burying. It's such a compelling pairing because they're both deeply traumatized men who chose entirely different ways to live with that trauma. Every scene they shared was fantastic.

The relationship with MJ and Ned was probably the most bittersweet part. I was so relieved they didn't go with the predictable route of magically restoring MJ's memories. Instead, she truly has no recollection of Peter, but she's willing to give this stranger a chance and get to know him again. Somehow that hurts even more, but it's also hopeful. It reminded me a lot of Peter Quill and Gamora—you don't get your person back, but maybe you can build something new with the person they are now. The difference is that, unlike Quill and Gamora, Peter and MJ actually have a chance to rekindle what they once had. She isn't the same MJ who remembers him, but the door isn't closed. It's just a new beginning instead of a continuation, and I honestly love that choice.

And can we all collectively admit that we all knew Sadie Sink was going to be Jean the moment she was cast? 😭 Honestly though, I really liked this take on Jean. She feels much more human, and I think that's what made her work so well for me.

but now she knows there was this other version of her and she has been searching and waiting for something great so what if it’s always been about finding her

what happens to her if she returns? will she and everything she’s done in the last four years be erased?

who does she become?

mj vs. mj

Me, watching this scene in the cinema:

the way peter was frozen when "mj" kissed him and took off his mask. the way he was SOBBING after she said his name, and "remembered" him. the way he completely broke down, hugging her so tight. the way his voice wavers when he said "i missed you so much."

the way he probably thought that after four years, it will all be okay.

there is no other guy

that man had SUCH good chemistry with every single person he interacted with in this movie -- including jon, zendaya, jacob, liza, and also every single random new yorker he ran into.