HCA Gradebook: “Morbius”

Film: Morbius
Plot: Biochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead.
Cast: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Michael Keaton, Jared Harris, and Adria Arjona
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Release Date: April 1, 2022
Studio: Sony Pictures
HCA Overall Grade: D+

Staci Wilson says, “You don’t have to be a Marvel maven to understand and enjoy Morbius. In fact, it’s probably better if you aren’t. Overall, it’s an entertaining, fast-paced sci-fi/horror vampire flick.”

Grade: B

Kate Sánchez says, “Suffering from the same problems of trying to be dark and violent but still all-ages as Venom did, Morbius lacks the staying power and charm of its predecessor due in large part to its lead.”

Grade: D+

Zachary Pope says, “Morbius has little to like and a ton of issues. Illogical, frustrating, dull, and messy. The script here really holds the whole thing back… but dear god the end credit scenes? Make ZERO SENSE, and left me more frustrated than I was when the credits started to roll. Thank god for Smith and Leto being the only good parts of the entire film.”

Grade: D-

Jeff Ewing says, “Morbius is a film which has the elements of a more successful movie in its DNA, many of which could work if they were given the development, nuance, and proper pacing they require. We’re left with a film that regularly fails to meet its potential.”

Grade: D+

Francisco Cangiano says, “The third entry in the Spider-Man Cinematic SonyVerse, Morbius is, unfortunately, a big misfire. From weak story to stale performances to jerky action and suspect visual effects, the film takes numerous steps backward within the genre. It doesn’t have personality; doesn’t have anything to say. In the end, it does serve as a reminder of what a disappointing superhero/comic film looks like.”

Grade: D+

Wendy Lee Szany says, “Morbius felt like a comic book movie made in the ’90s era. The choppy editing made it feel like there was more to be told. Enjoyed the moments of horror elements in the film.”

Grade: C-

Tessa Smith says, “Morbius is INCREDIBLE…ly awful. I am absolutely heartbroken to say this because I was really rooting for this film. The plot is a mess, the pacing is horrid, the CGI literally gave me a headache, and don’t get me started on the mid-credit scene that MAKES NO SENSE.”

Grade: D-

Anthony Digioia says, “Morbius does play things VERY traditional, but a tight runtime and a collection of appealing set-pieces do create a dark, charming vibe. Leto tones the gusto down to bring the film a compelling lead, and for only being able to do so much from the outside looking in at the MCU, Sony delivers an easily engaging comic book adventure. Despite its blatant flaws.”

Grade: B-

Demetri Panos says, “Is Morbius bad? Well… it ain’t good! Its plot is like a rejected Universal Monster/Mad Scientist script. Its biggest problems work against its biggest assets which are Jared Leto and Matt Smith. Mix vampire bat blood with human blood, and you get unexplained powers that include ink-like tendrils that emanate from you when you run or fly. Oh, and one thirst for blood. One doesn’t want to kill and the other does. It’s “Interview with a Glampire” with Leto being the Vampire Dingbat. If the past year showed us anything it is Marvel can churn out some bat guano. Morbius made me angry which is why I give it 1 – one finger, and it’s the middle one.”

Grade: F

Ema Sasic says, “Morbius is the most dreary superhero origin story to date. It’s very by-the-numbers and doesn’t leave much of an impression, other than some creative editing and visual choices. Thankfully Jared Leto doesn’t don a wacky accent here, but he doesn’t give much life to this doctor-turned-vampire either.”

Grade: D

Patrick Beatty says, “Don’t waste your hard-earned money on this. I promise, I enjoyed (for the most part) Venom and even Venom: Let There Be Carnage, but this is not good. If you see it on a streaming platform and have some time to kill and want to share in the conversation, sure, go for it. Otherwise get some garlic, holy water, and RUN.”

Grade: D

Rick Bentley says, “Even cutting it some slack because it is not your typical comic book-inspired production, Morbius is the second-worst superhero movie ever made. Yes, it is worse than Green Lantern, Ben Affleck’s Daredevil, and Ben Affleck’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But it would take a film disaster of biblical proportions to surpass Shaquille O’Neal’s Steel. The Morbius script is so confusing, unconnected, and at times very bland that it should drive a stake into the heart of any idea this could be a new Marvel franchise.”

Grade: D-

John Nguyen says, “Morbius is surprisingly an okay film with Jared Leto delivering a somber performance as the vampiric antihero. The story leaves a lot to be desired, and the film could have benefited from a deeper dive into the psyche of Dr. Michael Morbius.”

Grade: C

Morbius is now playing exclusively in theaters