MJ Twist Makes Spider-Man 2's Ending Secretly Tragic
Spider-Man 2 appears to have a happy ending for Peter Parker, but Mary Jane Watson’s facial expressions underline that the film's end is secretly tragic. First released in 2004, Spider-Man 2 is often ranked as the best Spider-Man film in the Raimi trilogy and retails a fervent cult following in contemporary culture. In part, this is owed to its complex portrayal of emotions that elevate it above normal superhero fare — evidenced by those present in Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) at the end of the movie.
Throughout Spider-Man 2 Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) faces the consequences of being a superhero. He can't hold down a consistent job, he can't take care of his aunt, and he can't be with his dream girl Mary Jane because of his responsibilities as Spider-Man. However, after Peter stops Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and saves MJ, she discovers Peter's secret identity. In the movie's last scenes, MJ leaves her fiance at the altar and runs to be with Peter Parker. After the two kiss, a police scanner alerts Peter of an ongoing crime, and he swings away to save the day with MJ's endorsement. The camera then cuts back to MJ as she stares after Spider-Man before the credits roll - Kirsten Dunst acting this moment with a pensive and concerned expression rather than looking joyous or loving.
Related: The MCU Needs To Fix Spider-Man’s Love Interest Problem
The end of Spider-Man 2 may seem happy because Peter Parker finally gets to be with his dream girl, but the composition of its final scene depicts a tragically ambiguous ending for Mary Jane. Rather than ending the film with Spider-Man triumphantly swinging through the streets of New York, the film end’s on MJ’s pensive face as she stands alone in Peter Parker’s apartment. In
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