Sony’s Spider-Man Universeadapted a litany of greatMarvelvillains, but their respective threat levels deviate notably from the source material. While some characters in the SSU have been adapted faithfully, others have fallen short of their comic book counterparts significantly. This ranking focuses on their depictions within the SSU, assessing their threat levels based on their actions, abilities, and overall presence in the films, as opposed to how they would rank in the comics.
The SSU aimed to expand Spider-Man’s rogues' gallery into a connected universe independent ofthe MCU timeline. Beginning with Tom Hardy’sVenom,the SSU quickly released twoVenomsequels,Morbius,Madame Web, andKraven the Hunter.The lukewarm reception for most of theseled to the SSU’s conclusionlong before Sony’s Sinister Six plans. Each of these features a famed Spider-Man villain facing another, often shifting one into the role of tragic antihero. As such, the franchise boasted a wealth of Marvel adversaries with varying degrees of fidelity.
14Calypso Ezili
Kraven The Hunter
InKraven the Hunter, Calypso Ezili is reimagined as the descendant of an African mystic who provides Kraven with the herbal potion that saves his life and grants him enhanced abilities. Unlike her comic book counterpart, a cunning and malevolent Voodoo witch, Calypso in the SSU isstripped of her villainous roots. Her role is largely supportive, and she displays no significant powers or intent beyond aiding Kraven’s transformation.
This stark deviation from the comics leaves Calypso as the least threatening villain in the SSU. Shelacks autonomy and presence, serving as little more than a plot device. Her portrayal diminishes the character’s potential for menace and complexity.
13Chameleon, AKA Dmitri Kravinoff
Chameleon makes a low-key debut inKraven the Hunter. However, his shapeshifting powers do not appear until the end of the movie, withChameleon’s powers reduced to disappointing vocal mimicry. While this skill suggests his full potential,the execution falls flat.
One of Chameloen’s most notable scenes involved a comical imitation of Harry Styles during a performance at his club, which significantly undermines his threat level. In the comics, Chameleon is a master of disguise and espionage, often manipulating events from the shadows. The SSU version only hints at this,reducing him to a secondary character with minimal impact.
12Knull, Creator Of The Symbiotes
Venom: The Last Dance
InVenom: The Last Dance, Knull, the ancient god and creator of the symbiotes, makes his cinematic debut. Seated ominously on his throne, he commands the deadly Xenophages to hunt Venom and Eddie. While this initially felt very promising, Knullnever leaves his throne and remains imprisoned throughout.
In the comics, Knull is a cosmic-level villain who wreaks havoc across the galaxy. The SSU portrayalhints at his potential but never shows it. Instead, he simply plots and unleashes the Xenophages.Knull could have instigated a more significant SSU storythat displayed his extensive powers, but his limited role here keeps him low on this ranking.
11Morbius The Living Vampire
Morbius
Jared Leto’s portrayal of Morbius inMorbiustransforms the character from a complex villain into a tragic antihero. While he possesses vampiric abilities, including super strength, speed, and echolocation, his reluctance to harm innocents significantly reduces his threat level. The decision to have Morbius consume artificial blood instead of preying on humansfurther softens his menace.
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In the comics, Morbius is a complex character who straddles the line between hero and villain. The SSU version leans heavily toward the heroic side,making him less intimidating. Despite moments of violence and supposed menace, Morbius struggles to establish himself as a truly threatening figure.
10Milo Morbius
Milo, the primary antagonist inMorbius, serves as a darker reflection of the titular character. Unlike Morbius, Milo fully embraces his vampiric nature, showingno hesitation in harming innocents. His superhuman abilities make him a formidable foe, and his lack of moral restraint amplifies his threat.
However, Milo suffers from a lack of depth and originality, feeling like a generic villain. He isa composite of several Marvel villains, including Morbius himself, but lacks any real dynamism. While he poses a greater immediate danger than Morbius, his characterization is underwhelming. The SSU misses an opportunity to delve deeper into his motivations, leaving him as a serviceable but forgettable antagonist.
9Shriek, AKA Frances Barrison
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Shriek appears inVenom: Let There Be Carnageas the partner of Cletus Kasady. Her sonic scream powers make her a significant threat,capable of causing massive destruction. In one standout moment, she brings down the San Francisco Cathedral, demonstrating her deadly potential.
Despite her abilities, Shriek is underutilized in the film. Her backstory and relationship with Carnage are only briefly explored,leaving her character feeling incomplete. In the comics, Shriek is a deeply unhinged and dangerous villain, but the SSU tones down her menace. While she’s more impactful than some others, she doesn’t fully live up to her potential.
8The Foreigner
Kraven the Hunterintroduces the Foreigner as a cold and calculating assassin with hypnotic powers. His ability to make people oblivious to his presenceadds a chilling edge to his character, resulting in several tense and eerie scenes. His strategic approach and lethal efficiency make him a credible threat.
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However, the Foreigner’s reliance on his hypnosis ultimately proves to be his downfall. Once Kraven overcomes this advantage,the Foreigner is dispatched relatively easily. While he’s more effective than many SSU villains, his limitations prevent him from ranking higher.
7Carlton Drake & Riot
Venom
The antagonists ofVenom, Carlton Drake and his symbiote partner Riot, present a formidable challenge to Eddie Brock and Venom. Riot’s larger size andarsenal of weaponized symbiote appendages make him a fearsome opponent. The final battle depicts Riot’s destructive potential, emphasizing his superiority in raw power.
Drake’s arrogance and lack of adaptability, however, hinder Riot’s effectiveness. Their bond isless harmonious than Eddie and Venom’s, ultimately leading to their defeat. While Riot is a physically imposing villain, Drake’s shortcomings prevent him from reaching his full potential as a threat.
6Cletus Kasady & Carnage
Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Cletus Kasady inVenom: Let There Be Carnagewas certainly underwhelming. Regardless, when paired with the Carnage symbiote, he becomes a deadly force,using his powers in creative and terrifying ways. The cathedral battle highlights their combined menace, with Carnage’s tendrils wreaking havoc.
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Despite their potential, Kasady and Carnage fall short of expectations. The film’s PG-13 rating limits its brutality, and itsrushed storyline undermines their impact. While they remain one of the more dangerous SSU villains, they fail to capture the full extent of their comic book counterparts’ terrifying potential and violent nature.
5Rhino, AKA Aleksei Sytsevich
Rhino makes a memorable appearance as the primary villain inKraven the Hunter, depicting his immense strength and durability. While he only assumes his full Rhino form in the film’s climax, his semi-human formproves formidable enough to subdue multiple foes effortlessly. His transformation into the Rhino cements his status as a physical powerhouse.
In the comics, Rhino is often depicted as a tragic figure, struggling with his limited intelligence and forced criminal activities. The SSU version focuses on his calculated demeanor and brute strength, which, while impressive, lacks nuance. Rhino’s limited screen timeprevents him from climbing higher on this list.
