Sony Releases New ‘Spider-Verse’ Short Spotlighting Miles’ Struggle With Anxiety

Video screenshot via Sony Pictures Animation

With great power comes great responsibility, and Miles Morales—student by day and superhero by night—is no stranger to this concept. The award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) has spun into a short sequel, The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story, in partnership with the Kevin Love Fund, which focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Created by underrepresented talents, this genre-bending animation delves into the psyche of Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) as he grapples with the pressures of his dual life as a teenager and Brooklyn’s protector, Spider-Man, confronting a foe far more personal than any supervillain—his own anxieties. “Because everyone is going through something, even superheroes like Miles Morales,” explains the studio.

Image via Sony Pictures Animation

Directed by Jarelle Dampier, the short film explores the emotional toll of heroism. In his most human moments, Miles, burdened by the weight of expectation—both from his parents and the city—experiences a panic attack. This internal struggle manifests as nightmarish visions, with his anxieties taking the form of shadowy figures and monstrous spiders.

The Spider Within serves as a bridge between the events of 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse and its 2023 sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. While the feature films focus on the grand spectacle of the multiverse, this short-form narrative offers a welcome change of pace, providing a character study that emphasizes the human cost of heroism.

Navigating the complex web of mental heath, the seven-minute animation will be incorporated into a new, free educational curriculm by the Kevin Love Fund, entitled The Hero Within, which uses storytelling and creative activities to encourage students to explore mental health issues and find their own inner hero.

The Spider Within is also a milestone for representation in animation. Developed through Sony Pictures Animation’s LENS program, it was created by a team of rising talents from marginalized groups. The nine-month leadership training initiative aims to empower diverse voices and provide opportunities for aspiring animators to tell their stories. Participants gain in-depth experience in all aspects of animation filmmaking, from production design and animation to visual effects, lighting, and sound. Through the program, they hone their creative vision and collaboration skills, preparing them for future leadership roles in the industry.

Developed and produced by LENS program creators Michelle Raimo-Kouyate and David Schulenburg, it was brought to life by a team of up-and-coming talents including director Jarelle Dampier, writer Khaila Amazan, VFX supervisor Clara Chan, and animation supervisor Joe Darko.

[via IGN and Variety, video and images via Sony Pictures Animation]