REVIEW: ‘Spider in the Web’
Photo: Ben Kingsley stars in Spider in the Web, a new movie about an aging agent of the Israeli Mossad. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment / Provided by Divergent PR with permission.
Ben Kingsley offers an effective, thrilling performance in the spy drama Spider in the Web from director Eran Riklis. As Adereth, an aging agent of the Israeli Mossad, Kingsley breaks beyond the cliche portrayal of so many spy narratives and gets to the heart of this central character. He doesn’t simply play a man who is trying to accomplish just one more case; this is a man with a unique history, one that connects with his younger partner, Daniel, played by Itay Tiran.
The action takes place in Antwerp, Belgium, where Adereth and Daniel must find connections to the proliferation of biological weapons in war-torn Syria. By placing Spider in the Web in the real world, featuring a storyline that seems plucked from the headlines, the movie has an earned sense of realism. The conversations, chases, double-crosses and gun battles serve a purpose, with real consequences attached.
Riklis smartly starts the story in media res, with not much hand-holding on who these characters are and how they are connected. It becomes clear enough that Adereth used to work with Daniel’s father, and now Adereth has taken a father figure role with the younger intelligence agent, showing him the ways of the world and how things used to be done.
Daniel, on the other hand, needs to keep a close eye on Adereth because the Mossad higher-ups don’t trust him anymore, especially when he makes a connection with Angela (Monica Bellucci).
The action sequences in Spider in the Web are subdued. Instead, most of the running time is eaten up by interesting conversations between the two main characters, either in their hotel room or along the banks of the River Scheldt. In fact, the city of Antwerp, which is captured in several settings, allows the picture to have an authentic atmosphere brimming with life and verve.
Spider in the Web doesn’t elevate the spy sub-genre to new heights, but it allows audience members to enjoy Kingsley’s performance, which is set amidst a satisfying storyline and interesting supporting characters. It’s a winner.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Spider in the Web. 2019. Directed by Eran Riklis. Starring Ben Kingsley, Monica Bellucci and Itay Tiran. Running time: 114 minutes. Now playing in theaters and VOD. Click here for more information. Rating: 
