Why The Spot’s Transformation Is So Effective (A Character Study) 

The Spot is a very clever twist villain as you know he’s an enemy, you just don’t expect him to be THE enemy.

One thing I noticed about Spot is that he looks familiar with the mural Miles spray-painted in the first movie. I don't know if that was intentional, but it would be great foreshadowing if it was.

The Spot is the scariest villain I’ve seen in a WHILE. In the start, he’s shown in a fairly sympathetic light, turning to a life of crime in order to scrape by, he slowly loses his humanity until by the end he’s an unrecognizable monster. It works so well since it shows that a real ‘villain’ isn’t created by one freak accident or something, they start off like us but slowly fall from grace. Anyone could become like the spot in that sense. Bear in mind, this movie pulls it off in about 10 MINUTES of screen time. And for it I think I just barely prefer him to Miguel, but only just barely.

It's terrifying how Spot went from "Please let me rob you" to "I'm gonna take everything from you" in one film

I LOVE how the Spot's eldritch form looks like it's not 3D at all, but hand-painted/scribbled frames. The whole Spiderverse franchise has inklings of traditional 2D animation here and there but with Spot it genuinely feels like he was 100% hand painted. I don't know if that's the case but I hope it is. Even if it's not, making a 3D model appear so fluid and morphing and scribbly is probably waaaay harder than it looks. Kudos to the animation team for pulling it off

The way the Spot went from bread falling out of his stomach to summoning a portal to swallow 3 incoming Spidermen without even looking back was an insane way to show how much of a threat he has become.

one I loved about the Spot, is how his voice doesn't feel like it's coming from any source, like how when miles or anybody else is speaking, you can tell it's him speaking, but the Spot's voice is more so a blanket over all the sounds of movie.

The thing great about spot is his motivation changes BECAUSE of Miles. At the start, he's not targeting MIles, he's just stealing money out of desperation since he can no longer get a job. And he tries to be somewhat moral about it without escalating to violence. Then Miles comes, starts openly mocking him, and as Spot is trying to explain himself, attacks him because he wants to get this over with. All while consistently mocking him, then leaving him for the police like a "villain of the week".

One neat detail i like that forshadows the Spots status as Actually Not just a villain of the week, is that during his first fight with Miles, we get this small super-quick montage of Miles taking out villains of the week with the same uppercut-like punch, but when he does that same punch to Spot, it gets redirected back at him.

Who could guess that 4 scenes of a single character that I never heard about is enough to make one of my favorite villains and one hell of a cliffhanger?

One line that comes to mind when i rewatch the spot transformation scene is the quote from syndrome from the first incredibles movie is “see now you respect me, because I’m a threat” and to me that quote fits so well is because at first miles sees spot as a joke and says “he’s barely a villain of the week” and now when miles starts to “respect him” spot has become a huge multiversal threat that can’t be seen as a joke villain anymore and like mr incredible miles sees the spot as a very dangerous villain who is gonna destroy his New York and kill his dad

I don't really get why the spot isn't taken seriously. His ability is OP as hell. And now he can casually travel the multiverse. There's so much potential for destruction. Like he can open a portal to the universe where everyone is a zombie and start a multiverse zombie apocalypse. Or open a portal to hell and start a demonic invasion.

The thing about Jonathon is, you can't help but feel bad for him, and just bang your hed over the wall with every step he takes into the deep-end. Dude got disfigured, basically disabled in many regards and got NO SUPPORT from anyone in his life just laughs and disgust ("my family won't even look at me"). He started obsessing over Spider-Man and the idea of "fate" because that would give that accident, that terrible thing that happened to him a meaning. A source, other than "wrong place - wrong time" or "well you got unlucky". It won't be just a tragic thing he needs to deal with on his own (like all spider-people have their "canon events" that have a deeper meaning to their "stories") and then even Spider-Man, that person that he sees his fate connected to, the most important part of his puzzle, the only one who can help him find any sense in all this just ignores him like everyone else - or even worse with a total disrespect not only to him as a villain but also as just a person (while Spot is nothing but polite throughout the entire movie, kind to strangers, even if they are freaked out by him, and even other Spider-People = complementing them throughout the fight). If Miles just listened (not trying to have his cake and eat it, poorly balanding his personal life with his Spider-Maning) he'd realise that this guy needs HELP and all the mess could've been avoided. The scariest part of Spot is that he's just a nice dude, who got warped by terrible events and people in his life lacking kindness. It's super tragic, and scary because it all just feels so.... unfair.

What i also like about the spot is how his transformation makes alot of sense. In the begging of the movie he is taken as a joke because he doesn´t have much control of his powers and doesn´t have much experience as a villain either, but after he realizes his full potencial he then becomes a real threat to the entire multiverse

The spot fully proves what I've always believed in. There's no such thing as a bad story or character its all about who's hand is on the pen. There's been many difrent versions of the spot over the years and only now has he truly been done right not because the other writer's sucked but because now he has all the time he needs to shine thanks to writer's who understand and appreciate he's character by putting him in a story where he's powers could truly shine unlike 90% of the stuff he's been in where he's just a side or even background character who gets pushed around without a second thought. I'd love it in the future if more obscured/ joke characters got the same kinda of care like the spot in across the spider-verse.

His final form makes him look like he's straight out of a labyrinth from Madoka Magica. And thats my favorite show of all time, so i am VERY okay with that.

The spot has so many damn layers, He’s like a living sentient version of the collider to the extent his theme song is EXACTLY that of the collider from the first film, the inescapability of taking responsibility to those you’ve wronged even if it was a mistake, the way he fills the hole with “More holes” which even that has some pretty tragic meaning to, the fact his design is that of a character layout sketch in the scene where he begins to realize his potential, and the way he isolates miles to further antagonize him. He’s all over the place, and if he is in one place he can still attack you even if you can’t see him, LITERALLY AND METAPHORICALLY!!! He’s already one of if not my top favorite Spider-Man villains!

A really underrated moment for him I feel is when he’s done glimpsing the other universes and realizing he can’t do more powers after his spots are out. Theoretically he could have just ended there, he would still be a completely pale and faceless man but he also was removed from the powers. He could have gone on to possibly live a normal life again, but his bitterness and resentment fueled him to push forward and destroy. “ you made me feel empty, like I had a hole in me. Well the solution was to fill it up, and what better to fill a hole with then more holes!?”

"Please just let me rob you!" "I've never robbed anyone in my life please don't make this a bad experience for me!" Spot's just like me frfr

As someone who loves The Spot and loved him before he was announced to be the main villain of ATSV, I think this is probably his best incarnation. There are only two times prior to this that The Spot was Serious, being his debut and that one time that he was silently going around and snapping necks. In most other situations, The Spot is a bumbling idiot who can’t even drive, dies every two comics, and is part of the Legion of Losers. Having characters actually acknowledge that he’s a joke and making him into the Neck Snapper extraordinaire. Also his voice is perfect. All we need know is for Stilt Man to become to become the god of Death in another movie.

I think something else that makes his character really effective is that youre following miles emotional state throughout his encounters with the spot. He starts out so goofy, and fumbling with every other step. Not only are we meant to not take him seriously, we also see why miles doesnt take him seriously. And it isnt until it really, really hits miles in mumbattan that the spot is shown in a much more serious light. Even in the chase leading up to alchemax, the spot is kinda silly (see: "oh i love chai tea" etc.) Even despite the fact he's clearly got a handle on his powers. Miles still just sees him as a nuisance, an obstacle, just some guy who's too confident in himself. But when he strides up to that reactor, you really feel the dread set it, same as the spider crew.

I thought Spot was awesome and can't wait to see him again at his full power as we basically saw his origin story here. Realized while watching this that after he realizes he true power then the story shifts to Miguel at the Spider Society and we kind of forget about Spot. Seemed weird Miguel was so focused on Miles taking "canon" seriously that he stopped taking the very real and present threat of Spot seriously.

I think that the coolest thing about The Spot is that his actually plays with how people saw him in both the opening of the movie and his original comic appearance, being seen as a forgettable joke before realizing that himself and deliberately pushing himself farther and farther to be realized as an actual threat until he has the potential of destroying the entire multiverse. That's powerful stuff.

the spot is one of the most oddly personal characters in any piece of media I've ever experienced, because he is quite literally me. His mannerisms, the way he talks, his personality, even down to the way he stands and moves his hands are all exactly the way I do those things

The Spot’s powers make him an automatic target for me. I love how his portals can be used to transport himself and others across the battlefield or across the city but Across The Spider-Verse has definitely shown that he can legit teleport practically anywhere. I would be surprised if he does not do a crossover with the MCU or even steps into other non superhero storylines. His powers are so awesome and powerful and I am glad he was in the movie.

As someone who has never heard of the spot before, i absolutely loved the way they did him. He was a bit of a goofball in the beginning, not too threatening, just kinda trying to get by, basically being played for laughs. Typical minor villain stuff. Then he realizes he can travel through the multiverse and next time we see him in the Indian place (Mumbattan i think it's called, i forgot) he's more confident in himself and is actually posing a bit of a challenge against 3-4 spider people, but still is being a bit quippy, it's only when he gets to the Alchemax that he actually stops being goofy and starts getting terrifying. Not only in appearance but personality wise too, he's no longer making jokes anymore, he's no longer a "villain of the week", he's genuinely a major threat to not only Mile's universe, but to EVERYONE'S. And he's gonna make sure they know it. Next time you see him is at the end getting ready to cause chaos. Easily became one of my favorite movie antagonists

He went through a whole training arc so he can beat the hero and stand a chance against every hero

I can’t say I was surprised about The Spot’s role in the film because going into it I knew he would be the main villain but the subversion was still cool to see. I also didn’t see it coming that he would become absolutely horrifying, so that’s cool.

They gave bro a dad bod and a lack of confidence but somehow made him kick ass

The Spot has gotten what I call the Blackbeard treatment. In case you don’t know, Blackbeard is a character from one piece based on a real pirate named Edward Teach. Blackbeard as a character doesn’t really change as he is a static character but he changes the world around him. Blackbeard gets stronger as the story progresses so he starts as somewhat of a nobody who no one takes seriously but as the story goes on and he gets more powerful people start to notice him and fear him so much so that he is now one of the most influential people in the story. The Spot has a similar thing going for him. He doesn’t develop much as a character but as the story goes on and he gets more powerful everyone else starts to take him seriously and fear him.

youre correct about all of this, but you forgot to mention how they made him the ideal man. i left the theater with 15 new favorite characters, but spot is the top marriage candidate

The initial fights at the start of the movie is probably one of my favorite scenes ever. The way Spot just is a full “First Act” villain is great, but then we have like 3-4 times Miles traps him, and he breaks out. It’s like we’re watching a speedrun from “villain of the week” to “mainstay villain” from just the first half hour alone.

The spot isn't treated like the main villain, either. He is treated as catalyst post transformation, and at the very end, we are reminded of why movie events exist. This also puts a timer and cliffhanger in the movie. I also upset u didn't mention his power and how, in the beginning, we see the spot limitations indicated by black spots, and near the end, he is more black than white. The once goofy like comic book suit/skin is now a black leaking fountain of energy sparking to life

"Alright, let's do this one last time" kinda how every spiderman begins their monologue about themselves

I know that this is only tangentially related to The Spot and his transformation but I believe what we see and what Miles saw during that transformation was actually the Spot's thoughts on what he was going to do to Miles is family or to the people that he knows are related to Miles in some way instead of a vision of the future like the Spot is intentionally allowing people to see into his mind using his powers.

Idc if anyone has pointed this out but in miles vision of the future if you slow it down and really pay attention, you can see Spot hovering over what look like a few dead spider people

They didn't just subvert out expectations based on how films usually go, they also subverted them based on what we knew about the spot as a character. In the comics he was a joke vilian of the week. He barely showed up at all and when he was around he wasn't taken seriously at all and was considered one of spiderman's worst villains. So as a viewer even if you knew who the spot was originally you'd still expect him to just be the opening fight and that's it, when in reality they took him not being taken seriously by miles, the viewer, and and even his creators and writers sense his conception decades ago and turned it into a really compelling character arc that hits way harder with the context. It's so interesting and low key kinda meta how his whole arc is how he's upset because believes the person who created him doesn't take him seriously as a vilian, because in reality that's how it was with the people who literally created him for the comics too. It's so clever and interesting and there's just so many layers to it this movie is seriously so cool.

This is what Electro should have been in Amazing Spider-Man 2 and go with his new looks in No way home because he should have been an Avenger threat level, but I got the impression that the first Amazing Spider-Man movie was building up towards Norman because of that mysterious Gentleman but I guess it was Chronicle that changed that

Have you considered the animators choice to draw spot as a sketch, indicative of a literal underdeveloped character and somewhat incurious entitled traits when interacting with other characters in the story....the guy was a literal armed henchman scientist on Fisk's payroll before going villain, basically refusing to do any self reflection after the supercollidor incident and his own participation in the plot previous film. Was he their for his own ambition and blaming Miles for making him lose his job or is he blaming Miles for being forced to self-reflect and would rather antogonise someone for making him feel bad, revealing there nakedness and/or emptiness to everyone around him, hence the fixation on being hit by a bagel which the story text itself considers trivial. Great study in story tools to describe a movement...but I suppose might want to focus on the actions and choices he make to how the world is interacting with him if you want it be a character study. I suspect I know how his arc ends but, its more fun to speculate.

Spot's origin story in this is truly tragic. He was obviously just a dude who was passionate about his job that made a mistake that took away any chance of having a normal life. For over a yeah Spot had almost everything taken away from him and everyone he knew no longer took him seriously. When he finally decided to accept what he had become and actually use his abilities to help himself while also confronting the person he could blame for all of this: Miles. However Miles wasn't just a person he blamed this whole thing on but the one person who Spot obviously thought would understand him since Miles also had is world completely changed, but when even Miles didn't take him seriously or show empath Spot pretty much snapped allowing him to fully realize and embrace his powers. Honestly just an excellently written motivation and origin for a villain.

The writers intentionally made the audience underestimate the villain to almost showcase a lesson in "never underestimate your enemy". So the shock and awe we feel when Spot reaches his final form is the result of us being unprepared for it we didn't see it coming. You can see the symbolism in this shot 6:36 the wide eyes of Miles and the reflection of the Spot in his eyes reminds me of a deer in headlights. Just like the deer caught in fear and rendered unable to move so was Miles. And his inaction and fear gets passed through the audience so we almost feel exactly what he is feeling in that moment. We all feel a sense of doom because we could've stopped this train but now it's too late.

One of my favorite parts of the first act showcase isn't just that it tells us a lot about our characters, but it does so in a way that makes their lives feel more "real". Like, there was an entire conflict before the events of this movie that they were dealing with, we're just getting a glimpse of that story's climax. Because their lives don't start and end with this film. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good Gandalf visiting the Shire Call to Adventure, but when we're talking about a character who's already supposed to be an adventurer or good guy, don't just tell me, prove it.

Spot was handled better than most of the MCU villains that aren’t as obscure as him

Literally after Gwen fought whats his face, I was like oh okay, everybody's gonna have to deal with a one off multiverse anomaly! And then,

love this!!! the spot is actually one of my favorite characters JUST because of how well done he is (with his villain arc) when he became a multiversal threat I seriously felt SICK to my stomach from fear, which is insane and i love the fact during that scene the camera puts you into miles' shoes where your vision is foggy and your head is spinning and you stumble to run out of the falling building…. I felt exactly like miles did in that scene. AMAZING WRITING FROM THE WRITERS OF ATSV :)

3:36 Miguel O'Hara jumpscare actually put my soul away 💀

I just love how unstable he looks in his Final Form

The first time I saw this, I was confused as hell. I was baffled that they perfectly cut out the explosion and immediately transitioned it to the Spot’s transformation so we don’t expect it right away. The whole transformation sequence gave me chills and made the message clear that we shouldn’t fuck with the spot, not to mention the background music. Spot’s transformation was my favourite scene in the entire movie. It was so good that I’m recreating the scene with sticknodes!

The Spot: I'm on a journey of Self Improvement Pavitr: so you came to India? That's a western cliche bro.

it's just like what Megamind said on what separates a Villain from a Super Villain; Presentation. The Spot already had the makings and origins of a villain: a transformation that made him into a freak, being rediculed and disowned by family and friends as a result, and left with hardly anything to live for. He had every reason to seek revenge but his initial presentation was laughable becuase he was more focused with being considered a nemesis to miles that he didn't have a good handle on his abilities and still didn't have full understanding of what he was capable off. Once he did, The Spot was able to present himself as credible threat.

even knowing that the spot was going to be the main villain, his arc went in such an unexpected and interesting way i was sitting in the theater just. gaping

I think a huge theme of this movie is subversion of expectation. Hobie is another example where we assume he is going to be the love triangle rival character but dude is genuinely chill and a master of subversion in every facet. The ending too was also a huge subversion making us think Miles went to his home when really he did not only to gut punch us with 2 reveals of the current situation.

Bro went from a barely villain of half a day to a xenoverse 2 mission 🤣😵

Am i the only one who feels like if Miles was really honest about how sorry he was for what happened to the Spot, this wouldn't have happened ???

as someone who knew about spot before spider verse I love this characterization even if it is really different nowadays in the comics he is looked at as a small threat baddie who shows up just to fight spiderman but spider verse uses this to its advantage and I love it

I couldn't believe when Miles called him Villain of the Week. Right to his face too. I knew he'd be a problem after that

I fucking love spot- the best villains are the ultimate balance of making you laugh and making your scared

Is it me but spots theme is creeper than the prowlers

why is everyone just saying the spot doing all of this is because he wants to be respected as a villian by a teen? it's because miles ruined his life

And all it took was a bagel

The Spot straight up gives me anti spiral vibes

Makes the Spot an actual scary villain is his low self esteem, his whole arc started with a pity arc like being hit by a bagel. Well lets get real its also the fact he got infused by the canisters from the collider still doesnt change the fact that he's basically a ticking time bomb

I used to think they called him ‘villain of the week’ and not ‘villain of the weak’ lol

Honestly its his theme for me - i had chills in the cinema

When I fisrst saw the spot, I actually thought he was just the first enemy that you usually see in some movies, that are just that, for the opening scene and nothing more, just the presentation, just that, the villain of the week, I would never have expected him to be one of the main antagonists

I legit had no clue where this movie was going and I LOVED every second of it!

I dunno. I never saw his transformation as a twist. The Spot had a really cool power and he clearly just didn't know how to control it. It also helped that I was rooting for him to get the respect he wanted because he was so endearing. Beaides that, a lot of Act 1 fights I've seen feels like it builds up the Act 3 fight too. In a TV show, we open with the Superhero making a mistake, they learn a lesson, and don't make the mistake in the ending fight.

Nothing I've seen on screen captures the feeling of apotheosis then spot absorbing the collider energy and the aftermath of it.

The movie literally made a videoesseyst say he hopes for more expectation subversions in the future 😂❤

Sony just keeps making iconic af villain themes First the Prowler now Miguel and The Spot

2:16 The difference with Inception is that the characters spend the first 45 minutes of the film explaining to you all the mechanics of dream sharing and then proceed to spend the rest of the film forgetting everything they just taught you. 😅

I thought (Likely like most other people) that 2099 Spider-Man would be the main threat. But this was an awesome twist, and easily made me love this guy even more

I always thought the spot’s potential was always wasted so I LOVE what they did with him in across the spiderverse

Not only this but the powers The Spot has on display is such a natural fit for a story all about multiversal travel in the first place, so not only is his development from villain of the week into the main threat a nice subversion for the reasons you listed, but one that just makes sense both on and beneath the surface.

Bro went from the villain of the week to the villain of all time

"This film is anything but traditional" the act 1 villain is the vulture. shows us spider people doing spider people things. too much time is put into the spot for him to realistically be a one off, especially with the fight ending as inconclusively as it does with him kicking his own butt.

I loved him cause I thought he was an adorable dorky and clumsy villain of the week The way how he talks and falls cause of his spots Then his transformation and the soundtrack was when I started to be frightened of him He truly was a terrifying twist villain

That last little meme with Miguel is me looking for a game that has no toxic players and is actually so fun and is multiplayer.

Spot is like a top 10 to top 15 best Mcu villain

Reminds me of how Shigaraki went from being the whiny little bitch we thought was just introduced to show All Might's power and the villains of MHA But later developed into biggest threat in the story and the one driving the narrative as much as the protag.

I love first act showcases in Superhero movies especially if there fighting a low tier villain. They might even show up at the end of the movie when the main threat’s done.

I can’t believe the spot was literally a better villain than Kang the freaking conqueror.

Spots transformation is basically the "OH FU-" as a subversion of a villain

as someone who doesnt watch movies often i immediately thought: oh yeah this guys the big one, dude has *portals*

First time seeing one of your vids. Great analysis! And your ghost persona is really cool.

Your Spot video is beyond accurate and perfect.

Blud is literally Minos Prime

That theme song can turn anybody into a menace

This isn’t related to the Spot, but it’s something I noticed about the movies that is a cool detail, whether intentional or not. In the first movie we have the “Spider-Man doesn’t wear a cape” bit with Miles. Spider-Man doesn’t wear a cape, but the Prowler does, and Miles was destined to be the Prowler. If this was an intentional detail then that’s really cool foreshadowing.

He got the n-word pass, that's how powerful he became

The Renaissance Vulture was the real first Showcase Villain.

The Spot just became a lovecraftian entity

maybe its cuz i wasnt focused on the video but that miguel jumpscare got me

The Spot took the disrespect personally

Judging by the trailers I thought he would just be a villain that would be overshadowed when all the multiverse stuff occurred…

I always hoped that the Spot would get a shot at getting more recognition because I always thought his powers were really cool for just a side villain. And oh boy, did Spiderverse go beyond what I expected!

The trailers sought to make us believe the third fourth of the movie was the entire movie.

At first the Spot is just tryna get by. Then enter Miles, who comes in like a breakup/"you're not my type" text from THAT person and... well you know what the right motivation does to you.

The parallels between spot and miles are fascinating to me. Their stories began in the exact same way: a wrong place wrong time freak accident granted both of them incredible powers against their will, but there is one massive difference that defined their outcomes. Miles had a family, friends, people who understood to supported him through all of his pain and confusion. Spot had nothing. Everybody in his life abandoned when he was at his most fragile. On his own, trying to carry on as best he could after everything he’d ever known was ripped from him so violently, for an entire YEAR. He tried to make it work! After his money ran out, he tried to find a job, but nobody would hire him. Only then, out of pure desperation, he turned to actually breaking the law. That’s when miles, his other half, the one whose actions marred every aspect of his existence, showed up. And he flat out didn’t give a shit about any of it. To miles, he was just another minor 5-minute nuisance to take down. Like, Spot was straight up willing to have their fight when it was more convenient for Miles after he got a text from his parents, which is absolutely INSANE, he got so utterly fucked over by this guy and, even if a little pissed off, was still being considerate toward him! He didn’t even throw the first punch, not even close, it was miles! And it’s understandable that miles wouldn’t take this ding-dong seriously and try to rush things along, (he’s young, he’s basically an unpaid volunteer fighting grown adults, and he’s got school on his mind) but god fucking damn, he was absolutely heartless when Spot spilled his guts about how his entire life fell apart b/c of the collider explosion that miles caused. Literally dismissed all of it. The straw to break the camel’s back. I don’t blame spot for snapping in the way he did, and I don’t blame Miles either. It’s just heartwrenching when the one person who might’ve understood what spot was going through was so callous to him. Things could’ve gone so different.

By the way, note that the Spot before turning on the collider evacuated all civilian scientists. That is, this suggests that humanity remained in him at that time. Surely he did not want these scientists to die or even worse share his fate. This shows that everyone becomes a hero or villain by chance, not because they want to. This was also shown in the example of Miles and Miles-Prowler