Garfield’s Spider-Man acts as a cautionary tale for Holland’s–a hero who became lonely, angry, and bitter. It turns out Peter 3’s multiversal run-in with two Spidey variants was just what the doctor ordered to help him process the trauma that made him that way. He found companionship with his fellow Peters. These were people who understood him, who shared his love of science, and who, well, literally are him, so when he gleefully exclaimed, “I’ve always wanted brothers!” it’s plain to see he truly meant it. This was a Peter Parker whose parents died after getting caught up in a vast criminal conspiracy, so they never got the chance to have more kids. In a way, No Way Home gave Garfield’s Spider-Man the family he never had, albeit briefly.
There’s a moment of brotherly bonding between the Spideys where Maguire’s Peter flat out tells Garfield’s that he’s amazing. Winking meta context aside, this was a Spidey in desperate need of being built up by someone who cares about him. And who better than himself? The movie delivered not only what the character needed, but what the audience was after as well: validation and redemption.
Speaking of redemption, let’s not forget the most pivotal moment for the character. When MJ fell from a great height just like his beloved Gwen Stacy had, Garfield’s Spider-Man was there to catch her this time. It’s a bittersweet moment. He’s reminded of how he failed Gwen, but he proved to himself that he still has what it takes to be a hero and save the girl. It was a healing moment seven years in the making.
“Are you okay?” he asks MJ, tears welling in his eyes. “Are you okay?” she asks in return.
The response to Garfield’s reprisal of the Spider-Man role has been immensely positive. Fans are campaigning for the release of Amazing Spider-Man 3. But whether that happens or not, we can rest easy knowing that, yes, he is going to be okay.
Here’s how No Way Home redeemed the Amazing Spider-Man: https://bit.ly/3HkTbSC
