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Horror thriller

Cobweb (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Cobweb (2023) movie poster

Cobweb is a 2023 horror thriller directed by Samuel Bodin, starring Woody Norman as Peter, Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $10.1 million worldwide on a $13 million budget. Critics gave it 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
58%
worldwide gross
$10.1M
Echo Score
70
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Cobweb (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Samuel Bodin
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$13M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cobweb About?

The premise of Cobweb without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Eight-year-old Peter is deeply troubled by a persistent tapping sound coming from within his bedroom wall. His parents, played by Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr, dismiss his concerns, telling him it’s just his imagination. As Peter’s fear grows, he suspects his parents are concealing a dangerous secret, leading him to question their trustworthiness. Facing a terrifying situation, Peter must confront the possibility that his greatest fears are rooted in his own home.

Cobweb Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • child protagonist
  • spider
  • halloween
  • 8 year old boy
  • behind the wall
  • teacher student relationship
  • pumpkin
  • child in jeopardy
  • dysfunctional family
  • monster
  • bully comeuppance
  • bullied child
+38 more
  • mother son relationship
  • boy
  • parent
  • father son relationship
  • school bus
  • substitute teacher
  • schoolteacher
  • teacher
  • rat poison
  • pushed down stairs
  • expelled from school
  • hidden door
  • basement
  • chain
  • washing machine
  • bathtub
  • brother sister relationship
  • grandfather clock
  • garden
  • digging
  • skull
  • soup
  • nightmare
  • dark secret
  • murder of a bully
  • death of bully
  • revenge on bully
  • older sister
  • trapped inside a wall
  • elementary school student
  • malicious sister
  • locked away
  • suspicious behavior
  • hiding the truth
  • bullied at school
  • bullied boy
  • school bullying
  • evil sister
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Cast & crew

Cobweb Cast & Characters

Woody Norman leads the cast as Peter, with Lizzy Caplan as Carol and Antony Starr as Mark. Directed by Samuel Bodin; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Cobweb

· 7 more
From the director

More from Samuel Bodin

One more film directed by Samuel Bodin: Batman: Ashes to Ashes.

Full filmography
Ratings

Cobweb Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cobweb 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (78) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Cobweb Echo Score Breakdown

Cobweb delivers a mixed but generally competent horror experience, combining an engaging atmospheric setup with uneven narrative execution. Critics highlight its effective visual mood and occasional stylistic flair, while noting derivative plot elements and inconsistent pacing. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the film's striking cinematography and solid performances but criticizing its thin script and generic conclusions. The result is a moderately enjoyable entry that may appeal to genre fans despite its flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Cobweb presents an unsettling atmosphere supported by a moody color palette and practical effects. Critics acknowledge the film's stylish production design but point out moments of generic cinematography and underlit sequences. Viewers frequently commend the clever camera work and effective set pieces, though some find the overall aesthetic uneven. The visual component therefore leans toward competent with notable inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character work, the cast delivers largely credible performances that anchor the film's tension. Reviewers praise Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr for their unsettling portrayals, and many users note the believable dynamics of the child and adult characters. Some criticism emerges regarding adult actors slipping into caricature, yet the overall consensus underscores a solid emotional core that enhances the horror premise.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story structure of Cobweb oscillates between intrigue and repetitiveness, offering a premise that feels familiar yet intermittently engaging. Critics describe the plot as derivative and note unanswered questions, while audience comments highlight pacing shifts that both help and hinder momentum. The script’s reliance on genre clichés and occasional predictability undermines its originality, leaving the narrative in a mixed, moderately effective state.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory execution stands out as a strength, with atmospheric sound design and a score that amplifies tension throughout. Reviewers highlight ominous cinematography and effective use of practical effects, and users repeatedly commend the film’s eerie visuals and precise musical cues. While a few moments suffer from low lighting, the overall sensory experience remains immersive and contributes significantly to the film’s unsettling mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is bolstered by lingering mysteries and a distinct visual style that invites repeat viewings. Critics note the film’s ability to sustain curiosity, and audience members express eagerness to revisit ambiguous plot points and appreciate crafted set pieces anew. Although some find the climax underwhelming, the combination of atmospheric intrigue and lingering questions supports a respectable replay value.

Plot

Cobweb Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Cobweb from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Peter, an eight-year-old boy, lives with his emotionally distant and overbearing parents, Carol and Mark. Struggling with relentless bullying at school and lacking any friends or social interaction, he finds himself isolated. One fateful day, Peter chooses to stay in during recess, garnering some sympathy from his substitute teacher, Miss Devine. Despite his eagerness to go out trick-or-treating on Halloween Night, Peter’s parents firmly prohibit him, haunted by the unresolved disappearance of a young girl from years prior.

Full summary

The whole story of Cobweb, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Cobweb Box Office & Budget

Cobweb grossed $10.1 million worldwide on a $13 million budget, 78% of what it cost.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.1M

78% of its budget back

International
$10.1M
Budget
$13M
Videos

Cobweb Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 3 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Sneak Peek
  • Clip Official Clip - 'He’s Going in the Basement'
  • Clip Official Clip - ‘Miss Devine House Visit’
  • Clip Official Clip - 'Vanished on Halloween'
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Cobweb?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What holiday does Peter long to celebrate but is denied?

Cars

Cars in Cobweb

4 cars on screen, including the 1995 Chrysler Neon and the 1984 Chevrolet B-60.

  • 1995 Chrysler Neon in Cobweb 1995 Chrysler Neon Important role
  • 1984 Chevrolet B-60 in Cobweb 1984 Chevrolet B-60 Minor role
  • 1986 Dodge Ram Van in Cobweb 1986 Dodge Ram Van Minor role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger in Cobweb 2011 Dodge Charger Background role

Seen Cobweb?

FAQ

Cobweb FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Cobweb, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cobweb?

Cobweb runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was Cobweb released?

Cobweb was released on July 21, 2023.

Who directed Cobweb?

Cobweb was directed by Samuel Bodin.

More films by Samuel Bodin

Who is in the cast of Cobweb?

Cobweb stars Woody Norman as Peter, Lizzy Caplan as Carol and Antony Starr as Mark, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Cobweb make at the box office?

Cobweb grossed $10.1 million worldwide on a budget of $13 million.

How is Cobweb rated?

Cobweb has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Cobweb have a post-credit scene?

No. Cobweb has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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