Sony's latest attempt to build a cinematic universe around Spider-Man's villains has hit a major roadblock with the release of Kraven the Hunter. The film, directed by J.C. Chandor, has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, with many critics calling it a "desperate cash grab" that lacks chemistry and coherence.

Despite its R-rating and trailers suggesting a darker, more gruesome tone, Kraven the Hunter has been panned for its poor script, lackluster performances, and convoluted plot. The film's attempts to humanize its titular character, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, fall flat, with critics noting that the cast lacks chemistry and the dialogue is clunky.

The movie's plot, which deviates significantly from the comic book source material, follows Kraven's origins as a Russian big game hunter who becomes obsessed with taking out crime lords. However, the film's addition of C-list Spider-Man villains like the Rhino and the Foreigner only serves to make the plot more convoluted and messy.

Many critics have noted that Kraven the Hunter feels like a perfect snapshot of everything that has been disappointing about Sony's cinematic web. The film's lack of cohesion and poor storytelling are symptoms of a larger problem – Sony's desperate attempt to cash in on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success without putting in the effort to create a compelling narrative.

This is not the first time Sony has faced criticism for its Spider-Man spinoffs. Previous films like Morbius and Venom have been met with mixed reviews, but Kraven the Hunter seems to be a new low for the studio. The film's failure raises questions about the future of Sony's Spider-Man Universe and whether the studio will be able to recover from this misstep.

In a crowded superhero landscape, it's becoming increasingly clear that Sony's approach to building a cinematic universe is not working. With Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC's Extended Universe continuing to dominate the box office, Sony will need to go back to the drawing board and rethink its strategy if it wants to remain competitive.

Kraven the Hunter is currently in theaters, but it's unlikely to attract much attention from audiences or critics. The film's failure serves as a warning to studios – that a desperate cash grab will not be enough to win over audiences in today's competitive superhero landscape.