| The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story | |
| Director: | Jarelle Dampier |
| Screenplay: | Khaila Amazan |
| Based On: | Marvel Comics |
| Editing: | Arthur D. Noda |
| Distributor: | Columbia Pictures |
| Runtime: | 7 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story is a 2023 American animated psychological thriller short film featuring the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Taking place between (2018) and (2023), the short, directed by Jarelle Dampier and written by Khaila Amazan, is described as focusing on Morales when he "starts to feel the pressure of his life as Spider-Man, which results in a scary, trippy little jaunt through his subconscious."
The film was produced under presented by Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel Entertainment through Sony's LENS program, and premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 12, 2023.[1] While debuting the short, Sony did not disclose how or when they intend to release it to a wider audience.[2] It was later released on YouTube on March 27, 2024,[3] ahead of the originally planned release date of the currently postponed . The YouTube release was partnered with a fundraiser for the Kevin Love Fund.
After returning home from a day of crime fighting, Miles Morales is haunted by the thoughts of his parents arguing with him and the new responsibilities he must embrace. His father, Jefferson Davis, asks if he wants to watch horror movies with him, but a tired Miles tells him some other time. As he tries to relax in his room, he is accosted by his fears, manifesting as a black silhouetted and yellow eyed being. Miles attempts to fight this creature which transforms into a large spider, and later a huge infestation of smaller spiders. A frightened Miles cowers as his visions go away. Finally at ease, Miles leaves his room and asks his father if he would like to walk with him. The two leave the apartment and begin having a friendly conversation.