Reflections on the Reception of ‘Morbius’ by the Director

The latest offering from Sony Pictures within their unique Spider-Man universe, Morbius starring Jared Leto as the living vampire, has unfortunately not been embraced enthusiastically. Presently, the film holds a mere 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience’s approval rating hovering just above average at 70%. Owing to its underwhelming reception, it has gained traction as a sort of “ironic film,” with Twitter users playfully sharing hashtags like #MorbiusSweep and #TheSummerOfMobius.

Despite these circumstances, the director of the film, Daniel Espinosa, remains content with the outcome he has achieved. Reflecting on his journey, Espinosa shared in an interview with Insider, “Back when I helmed my debut feature, a modest project titled Babylon Disease, I vividly recall a moment on the subway after a few drinks when a fellow commuter approached me to critique the second scene of my film. It struck me as odd yet profound.”

“The essence I wish to convey is the peculiar nature of creating something so exposed to the public eye. Admittedly, I harbor self-critical tendencies and am constantly driven to refine my craft. Nonetheless, I take pride in my creations. Each of my films contains elements that I hold in high regard.”

Morbius director Daniel Espinosa confirms Jared Leto pretended to be disabled between shoots https://t.co/GluqorsmpC pic.twitter.com/j3vlfZHIjs

— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) April 4, 2022

In a separate conversation with Uproxx, Espinosa specifically highlighted the lead actor, Leto, whose portrayal has garnered a similarly tepid response. Reflecting on actors in general, he remarked, “Nearly all actors possess a distinctive approach to embodying their characters. They each bring their own idiosyncrasies to the table. If you seek a performer who conforms to expectations and adheres solely to the known, then perhaps you are in the wrong field.”