Along Came a Spider

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)

Gabriel S Along Game a Spider (let's shorten this to AGS) is a thriller about the kidnapping of the daughter of a low-profile Senator and how the forensic psychologist Alex Cross solves the case—based on the homonymous James Patterson's novel. Simple and effective for the most part. If you are just a movie fanatic, you might notice this Cross dude is super similar to the Cross on the movie Kiss the Girls (1997) and you wouldn't be wrong: they are the same character based on Dr. Alex Cross from Patterson's novel series. However, the order is reversed in the cinema: Alonge Came a Spider released later in movies; in the book series, AGS comes first. Anyhow, considering the movie alone, Dr. Alex Cross is thrown into an investigation over the kidnapping of Megan Rose when the kidnapper calls Cross with some cryptic BS. Pairing with Jazzie Flannigan, the Secret Service's agent tasked with protecting Megan, Cross and her needs to unravel a eerie case that defies the usual kidnapping schematics. AGS is 24 years now and you feel its age. It has that early 2000's vibe and pacing, and cinematography. Nostalgia should surround you, but also a feeling of cliché. Nothing to do with Morgan Freeman, though. He is God. Overall, AGS works as intended, but expect no masterpiece. It is a simple movie that provides a simple experience and it works for the most part. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/15/25 Full Review Marco L (CASTELLANO) Morgan Freeman regresa como el detective Alex Cross, un papel que ya había hecho en Kiss the Girls. Con él la película gana presencia: basta con verle actuar para que la atención no decaiga, incluso cuando la trama se pone más rutinaria. La trama gira en torno a un secuestro con tintes retorcidos, un escenario perfecto para el suspense, pero que nunca termina de explotar todas sus posibilidades. Hay giros, tensión y cierta atmósfera inquietante, aunque también se perciben huecos en el guion que restan credibilidad a la historia. En comparación con otros thrillers de la época, como El coleccionista de huesos, la película se queda un peldaño por debajo. La dirección es correcta, sin demasiada personalidad, y el villano no consigue ser tan memorable como la premisa requería. Monica Potter acompaña con dignidad, aunque carece del carisma que en su día aportó Ashley Judd en la anterior entrega. Pese a sus limitaciones, la película se deja ver con facilidad. Su ritmo ágil y la capacidad de Freeman para elevar cualquier escena hacen que resulte entretenida, aunque el poso que deja sea más bien ligero. En definitiva, un thriller correcto y funcional, que entretiene mientras dura pero que difícilmente se recordará con el paso del tiempo. Freeman sostiene la tela, aunque la araña no llegue a atrapar del todo. (ENGLISH) Morgan Freeman returns as detective Alex Cross, a role he had already played in Kiss the Girls. His presence alone gives the film weight: just watching him act keeps your attention, even when the story slips into routine. The plot revolves around a twisted kidnapping, a perfect setup for suspense that never fully delivers on its potential. There are twists, tension, and a certain eerie atmosphere, but also gaps in the script that undermine credibility. Compared to other thrillers of the era, such as The Bone Collector, this one falls a step below. The direction is competent but lacks personality, and the villain isn’t as memorable as the premise required. Monica Potter is fine, though she lacks the spark Ashley Judd brought to the previous installment. Despite its flaws, the film is easy to watch. Its fast pace and Freeman’s ability to elevate every scene make it entertaining, even if it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. In the end, it’s a decent and functional thriller that works while it lasts but is unlikely to be remembered over time. Freeman holds the web together, even if the spider never fully traps its prey. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/10/25 Full Review Jerod S Alex Cross is a great character and the stories are solid. This film didn't live up to the original - but was still entertaining. Potter is a great character to be a traitor. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/08/25 Full Review Louise J Took a good book and made a krap film. Good cast, but my goodness they butchered some good material... Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/07/25 Full Review Jacob B I think Kiss the Girls was better. This wasn't really a bad film but it felt like it did some things worse than that film. The preceding film did have a good-enough prologue establishing Alex Cross to the audience whilst this stand-alone sequel's cold open had a prologue that I think would've worked better if they were flashbacks, due to how disconnected it feels from the rest of the movie. Also, it had, even for 2001, a very obvious CGI car crash with the unnaturally fast-moving animation being a dead giveaway. Foreshadowing for this director's work on James Bond's first 21st-century cinematic adventure, perhaps? And the climax is similar to the first film where an apparent ally was evil all along. But Along Came a Spider is otherwise still a decent crime thriller with yet another terrific performance from Morgan Freeman, - shame he never did a third film - some genuinely good moments of suspense and good old-fashioned detective work and Michael Wincott making for a sinister, and memorable, villain. One of his first scenes where he's wearing a Mission Impossible-style mask was a bit far-fetched though. Especially since nothing outlandish ever shows up again. Also, give this film credit where it's due. The abducted girl at least tries her best to escape rather than being a generic little damsel in distress waiting for Alex Cross to come rescue her and even figuring out near the end that somebody's not being completely honest about their intentions. Overall, while I wouldn't call these great films, - to the point that their lack of any real pop culture impact put the kibosh on any chance of James Patterson novels getting wide, mainstream film adaptations, with only mini-majors and VOD companies being willing to greenlight movies based off of his work - these are passable crime thrillers, even if there are far superior options out there. And knowing how infamous the reputation of the Tyler Perry reboot is, I'm sure it makes this duology's merits stick out more. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Dave C I loved this when I was younger. It is a good story, containing a number of twists, though the casting choices aren't the strongest - aside from MF of course, and this lets it down as it leaves things a bit woody in places Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Along Came a Spider

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now