Madame Web director S. J. Clarkson has openly acknowledged the resemblance between the new Sony Marvel movie and Jessica Jones in terms of tone – both are characterized by their gritty, dark atmosphere and are set in the backdrop of New York City.
However, Clarkson has now disclosed that the Netflix series directly influenced a particular aspect of the upcoming film: the superpowers of the titular hero, at least in the way they are portrayed on screen.
Set in 2003, Madame Web follows Cassie (played by Dakota Johnson), a paramedic based in New York City who unexpectedly discovers psychic abilities after a near-death experience. She begins to experience chilling glimpses into the immediate future, which proves to be challenging as she navigates her daily life as a first responder, constantly racing against time.
One fateful evening, Cassie witnesses a horrifying vision of a man murdering three young women and intervenes, ultimately saving them from harm. This act propels them all into a perilous game of pursuit with the relentless killer.
Clarkson, who directed the first two episodes of Jessica Jones, explains, “Jessica Jones was my first foray into comics, and much like with Cassie in this film, everything stemmed from the character there.” She elaborates on the challenge of depicting Cassie’s powers, noting the contrast with Jessica’s super strength and agility.
“Madame Web didn’t possess those traditional superhero abilities, which made it even more
challenging to navigate,” Clarkson states. “I saw immense cinematic potential in exploring the psychological aspects. Jessica had PTSD, so I had already delved into themes of the mind, but I wanted to approach this differently, necessitating a unique technique to showcase Cassie’s clairvoyance.”
Clarkson reveals her innovative approach, saying, “I had to devise a method to convey this, which involved a rudimentary use of a diopter in front of the camera. It allowed us to visually represent Cassie’s perspective. The actors embraced the process, allowing for dynamic scenes, like the one in the diner.”
The trailer for Madame Web features a pivotal diner scene where villain Ezekiel Sims (played by Tahar Rahim) attacks Cassie and her companions. The sequence is revealed to be a vision, offering them a chance to evade Ezekiel’s impending threat.
Madame Web is set to release on February 14. In the meantime, fans can anticipate more superhero movies on the horizon. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode of the Inside Total Film podcast featuring insights from Clarkson and cast members Dakota Johnson and Tahar Rahim.
