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Sony's Kraven the Hunter concludes with a blend of action, tragedy, and questionable character decisions, solidifying Sergei Kravinoff's transformation into the classic Spider-Man villain. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei, the film goes into his troubled relationship with his father, Nikolai (Russell Crowe), and his efforts to save his half-brother Dimitri (Fred Hechinger) from The Rhino (Alessandro Nivola).
The ending introduces moments that reshape Sergei's destiny while also setting up future storylines within Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
The final act draws heavily from the comics while adding its own twists. Sergei's acceptance of his darker nature is mirrored in his actions and the symbolic gesture of donning the lion's head vest left behind by his father. At the end of Kraven the Hunter, Sergei kills his father, Nikolai, by orchestrating a bear attack, symbolizing his rejection of his father’s legacy.
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Exploring in detail Kraven's kill in Kraven The Hunter
Kraven’s most pivotal kill in Kraven The Hunter is his father, Nikolai. After a heated confrontation, Sergei rejects Nikolai’s criminal empire and legacy. Removing the bullets from Nikolai's rifle, Kraven ensures his father is defenseless when a grizzly bear, influenced by Sergei’s animal communication abilities, attacks and kills him.
This moment is both a physical and symbolic end to Nikolai's oppressive reign over his family. It represents Sergei breaking free from his father's influence while simultaneously embracing a darker path.
Interestingly, this act of patricide highlights Sergei’s internal conflict; while he despises his father’s cruelty, his methods mirror the very darkness he seeks to escape.
Additionally, Kraven kills The Rhino during the film’s climactic battle. Rhino, revealed to have been working under Nikolai's orders, had targeted Sergei and Dimitri, pushing Sergei to eliminate him. These two major deaths—his father and Rhino—mark Kraven’s descent into the ruthless hunter he’s destined to be.
Who is the Chameleon and how did he become one in Kraven The Hunter?
Dimitri, Sergei's half-brother, is revealed in the final act to be evolving into the Spider-Man villain known as The Chameleon. After the time jump at the end of the film, Dimitri takes over their father's criminal empire and The Rhino’s assets.
It’s further revealed that Dimitri underwent a procedure from the same New York doctor who created Rhino’s genetic enhancements. This allows Dimitri to shapeshift into anyone, a significant upgrade from his comic-book counterpart who relied on masks and advanced technology.
In the comics, Chameleon is a master of disguise, and this film provides an updated origin for his transformation. His ability to change appearances at will is visually depicted in a scene where his face morphs seamlessly.
The doctor responsible for Dimitri’s transformation is none other than Miles Warren, also known as The Jackal, a geneticist in Marvel lore known for his involvement in Spider-Man’s Clone Saga.
However, Dimitri's choice to lead the same empire he despised raises questions. Despite his hatred for Nikolai, Dimitri appears to continue the cycle of power and corruption.
What happened to Calypso in Kraven The Hunter?
Calypso, played by Ariana DeBose, plays a critical role in Sergei’s journey. A skilled sorceress with connections to Sergei, she provides him with a mysterious potion that heals him twice during the film, granting him enhanced abilities.
During the climactic battle with The Rhino, Calypso kills The Foreigner (Christopher Abbott), another antagonist, showcasing her formidable power. However, Calypso's fate remains ambiguous after the battle as the film does not show her again. It’s likely she returned to her life in London, but her role as an ally to Kraven could continue in future SSU projects.
Given the importance of the potion in Sergei’s survival, there’s potential for Calypso to be further explored, especially if Kraven seeks to uncover more about the elixir’s origins.
What the Lion’s vest symbolizes in Kraven The Hunter?
The film's final moments see Sergei discovering a vest made from the head of the lion that nearly killed him as a child. Left behind by his father, the vest symbolizes Nikolai's belief that Sergei is destined to be a legendary hunter, like himself.
Despite his hatred for Nikolai, Sergei dons the vest, fully embracing his identity as Kraven the Hunter. By wearing the vest, he acknowledges that he is not a hero but a predator. While this aligns with his comic-book counterpart’s persona, it also reflects the darker themes of the film: the cyclical nature of trauma and how individuals wrestle with the legacies of their parents.
The ending sets up Sergei’s potential return as a Spider-Man villain. However, the likelihood of him crossing paths with Spider-Man remains uncertain, as Kraven the Hunter is reportedly the last SSU film without the Webslinger. For Kraven to fight Spider-Man, Sony would need to integrate its universe with the MCU or explore a multiversal storyline, as seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Dimitri’s transformation into The Chameleon and the introduction of Miles Warren also pave the way for future SSU films. These elements could lead to deeper exploration of genetic experimentation and cloning, possibly tying into Spider-Man’s broader lore.
Interested viewers can watch Kraven The Hunter in theaters only.
