Earlier this month, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse came out and blew people’s minds with its story, animation, and expected (for some at least) cliffhanger. Like any successful or unsuccessful film, it has also taken root within social media culture, and as a result, one of the key aspects of its plot has become something people are discussing and connecting to their own lives on TikTok.
Warning: For those who have not seen the film, there are significant spoilers follow. Read at your own discretion.
For those who are unaware — or have seen the film and maybe just need a refresher — one thing Across the Spider-Verse picks apart is the idea of canon, and what is supposed to happen to a character over the course of their existence. In “canon,” important life events are “meant” to happen, and to try and “change” that would result in a multiversal disaster. Miles revolts against the idea that his father has to die in order for reality to be stable.
Examples of the trend include joking about staying up far later than one should and going through that classic “emo” phase. In comments on these and the other posts with the #canonevent hashtag, which have garnered more than 200 million views collectively, fans gush over the relatable jokes, which, in some cases, describe them perfectly, while in other instances — which discuss so-called “starter” partners in intimate relationships — there are those who feel like they are breaking the canon, and thus are doomed to fail.
“My starter girlfriend is gonna get a ring next year.”
– Rahim Ghafoory (June 13, 2023)
Whether Miles will end up breaking his own canon, thus managing to save his father, remains to be seen. Audiences will find out in March when Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse premieres and, while nothing is known about the film for the time being, it is assumed the cast from the first two films will return. Miles will certainly be back, the new and possibly ultra-violent Spider-Punk will return and, before the flick officially arrives, audiences will get a “horror-tinged” short that takes place before this second movie. Here’s hoping it is not traumatic enough to count as a canon event for those who see it in theaters, as well as those who worked on it.