Along Came a Spider

Name: Along Came a Spider
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: April 6, 2001
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Michael Wincott, Monica Potter, Morgan Freeman

2001

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 74 Ratings

See All

6.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.5	Your Score
6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 74 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Along Came A Spider

Now Playing: Along Came A Spider

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: April 6, 2001 | R

Starring: Michael Wincott, Monica Potter, Morgan Freeman

Summary: A psychological suspense thriller adapted from James Patterson's first highly acclaimed novel in the Alex Cross series. (Paramount Pictures)

Director: Lee Tamahori

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Michael O'Sullivan

Freeman fills Cross's gumshoes with distinction. Read full review

William Arnold

It's a superior film in every way to its predecessor "Kiss the Girls." Read full review

Chris Kaltenbach

Best advice: Just sit back and watch Freeman anyway. The man's a cinematic treasure.

Peter Travers

Alex Cross has been neutered on film, deprived of his sexuality, his family, his friends. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Cody Clark

With the dependably compelling Freeman present, even its worst moments are not unwatchable. Read full review

John Patterson

By the time it hits you, you're worn out by all the dead ends and false trails the movie has put you through. Read full review

New Times (L.A.) Robert Wilonsky

Deadly dull thriller. Read full review

SEE ALL 31 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

ThatsLife

Jul 6, 2011

This is a fine, fine film with a fine, fine cast and when you look back from it, Along Came a Spider is one for the ages with a mix of comedy, action and that feeling when you just do not know who to trust!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SuchiB14

Mar 9, 2019

Holy **** I never saw it coming. This movie is spectacular and has you on the edge of your seat till the last scene. The acting was just remarkable. 10/10

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MovieMadness

May 31, 2011

A fantastic movie, brilliant acting, excellent plot, this is one of those rare films that you can watch again and again! A lot of twists and turns with amazing direction! This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat! A thriller that will not creep you out with anything gory but willA fantastic movie, brilliant acting, excellent plot, this is one of those rare films that you can watch again and again! A lot of twists and turns with amazing direction! This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat! A thriller that will not creep you out with anything gory but will keep you on the edge of your seat! STRAP YOURSELF IN! AMAZING!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

eva3si0n

Jan 1, 2021

Along Come a Spider perfectly retains suspense for a thriller, then the dynamics of the plot sags. Typical scenario of kidnapping a small child of an important person. It may seem that there is nothing in the film, then for some time the plot twist worked out and I was surprised as a viewer,Along Come a Spider perfectly retains suspense for a thriller, then the dynamics of the plot sags. Typical scenario of kidnapping a small child of an important person. It may seem that there is nothing in the film, then for some time the plot twist worked out and I was surprised as a viewer, unfortunately this is less and less in modern thrillers.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tss5078

Aug 4, 2015

Long before Tyler Perry turned Alex Cross into an action star, the all-star detective was portrayed correctly by the legendary Morgan Freeman. While the first film, Kiss The Girls, was a huge success, it's sequel, Along Came A Spider was a bust, once again due to the fact that the strengthsLong before Tyler Perry turned Alex Cross into an action star, the all-star detective was portrayed correctly by the legendary Morgan Freeman. While the first film, Kiss The Girls, was a huge success, it's sequel, Along Came A Spider was a bust, once again due to the fact that the strengths of the character were not utilized properly. The character of Alex Cross was created by Author, James Patterson, and has been responsible for over 20 best selling novels, because he's unlike any other cop in any other mystery series. Cross is a psychologist first, who gets inside the heads of killers. Once he knows what they're thinking and why they're acting the way they are, Cross is usually able to capture them. These stories make for terrific novels, but when transferred to the screen, producers felt that they lack the action movie goers crave. Despite a successful first appearance on screen, the producers felt that with more action and bullets, the sequel would do even better, they were wrong. When a Senator's daughter is abducted from an upscale private school, detectives are at a loss, but call Cross in when evidence and a ransom demand turn up at his house. Cross believes the criminal is using his admiration to cover up the real motives for this crime, and he needs to play into that role, in order to determine what those motives are. This was a terrific novel, but wasn't right for the screen, so much of the story was cut and replaced by the manhunt and police chases. These elements make for a more intense film, but don't do justice to the story. Alex Cross and his abilities are the story and are what make the series unique. Morgan Freeman returned hesitantly to do the sequel and he was right when he said he shouldn't have done it, mainly because it takes away from the brilliance of the first film. The producers of this movie even managed to screw up a terrific surprise ending and that really says it all. Along Came A Spider is not a bad film, it certainly has it's movements and a legendary star, but if you're a fan of the Alex Cross novels, expect to be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RayzorMoose

Nov 12, 2013

Despite fair acting, Along Came a Spider is a web of imperfections.
With likable characters portrayed by Freeman and Potter, Along Came a Spider begins well, but slowly looses its suspense factor do to the faultiness of the script.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

Feb 14, 2018

Le vieux barbon Freeman lorsqu'il n'incarne pas un président, reprend son rôle de temps à autre de flic rusé à la science infuse en hommage au rôle qui a précisément lancé sa carrière, à savoir le flic "vieux de la vieille" du médiocre Seven.

Ainsi, le voilà en butte à un vilain psychopatheLe vieux barbon Freeman lorsqu'il n'incarne pas un président, reprend son rôle de temps à autre de flic rusé à la science infuse en hommage au rôle qui a précisément lancé sa carrière, à savoir le flic "vieux de la vieille" du médiocre Seven.

Ainsi, le voilà en butte à un vilain psychopathe kidnappeur d'enfant mais ici au lieu de Brad Pitre comme coéquipier, il se retrouve en compagnie d'une oie blanche et bien pâle blondasse pour remonter le jeu de piste concoté par le vilain pas beau.

Le film est un festival de clichés en tout genre, loin de l'ambiance sinistre de Seven évidemment (c'était David Fincher tout de même...) et Lee Tamahori ne délivre ici qu'une espèce de gros épisode de série générique américaine superficielle et téléphonée. A ce sujet, les invraisemblances se succèdent sans sourciller le long d'un scénario rocambolesque qui prêterait presque à rire s'il n'était aussi navrant.

On s'emmerde donc énormément dans ce thriller bidon qui n'a décidément rien pour lui, y compris Freeman coincé en mode "minimum syndical". Las de lever les yeux au plafond, on éteint bien avant la fin !… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS