The 2023 horror film Cobweb may just be the best nightmare you’ve never had. Sadly, the spectacular vision gives us a look at what really bad parents do. Directed by Samuel Bodin and written by Chris Thomas Devlin, Cobweb will make you sleep with the lights on.
Why call it the best nightmare you’ve never had? Well, the film was put up against Barbenheimer. Both Barbie and Oppenheimer created a box office build up that blew everything else out of the water. I’d never heard of the film till it showed up on Netflix.
Until the very ending, Cobweb manages to be the best horror film I’ve seen in 2025. It is definitely a new favorite. About that ending? Well talk later, okay?
The Story
Eight year old Peter hears strange noises in the walls of his bedroom. These soon turn into someone calling him from the walls. He learns that his parents have been hiding a horrible secret from him. Meanwhile, Peter must figure out who the person in the walls really is.
The Cobweb Cast
Lizzy Caplan is Carol.
Antony Starr is Mark.
Woody Norman is Peter.
Cleopatra Coleman is Miss Devine.
Luke Busey is Brian.
*Keep an eye on both Busey and Norman, these two got acting chops already.*
Let’s Talk Cobweb
The film, made me think a bit of Mum and Dad (2008) but darker, if that can be imagined. However, the more I watched it, the film became more like Case 39 (2009). If you’ve seen either of these two films, you’ll see where I’m coming from. If you’ve not seen them? What are you waiting for, these are two brilliant films.
However, the more you get into Cobweb the more you’ll be reaching for antacids. You’ll be clenching the arms of your comfy chair and getting cramps from being so tense. A lot of time, when you are not wondering what is really going on, you will marvel at Peter’s parents. These two are never going to win Parent of the Year.
One thing that stands out is Mark; Peter’s dad, teaching him about rat poison. Hmm. I wonder if that is going to backfire? One also has to wonder if casting Antony Starr as the dad was a good idea. His presence screams villain, or at the very least unstable person.
That nightmare scene with Peter’s parents menacing their boy made me tense beyond belief.
That Ending
The film takes us on a roller coaster ride right up until the grisly climax. We learn just why the girl is in the walls and why she should not be let out.
However.
The last part of the film, just before the end credits roll, beggar belief. Aiming for an ambiguous ending that does not really fit with what we have just seen. Whoever thought it was a good idea to tack that on needs to rethink their motivation for that one. It really does not fit.
The Music
The light breathy choral singing, sad and melancholic, feels like is was lifted right off of Wes Craven’s Scream. Listen to the video below at 2.05. If it’s not the same thing I’ll eat my hat.
While this works, one wonders why they used it at all. It doesn’t really fit here, in my humble opinion.
The Verdict
Cobweb earns a solid 4 stars. It loses a star for what feels like too much CGI as well as the above things I mentioned. Although to be fair, the music issue may well have been a nod to the late, great Wes Craven. Cobweb is streaming on Netflix right now. Turn all your lights on and watch this one.
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