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Drama

Paper Spiders (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Paper Spiders (2021) movie poster

Paper Spiders is a 2021 drama directed by Inon Shampanier, starring Lili Taylor as Dawn, David Rasche and Peyton List. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $11,696 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$11.7K
Echo Score
76
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Paper Spiders (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Inon Shampanier
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Paper Spiders About?

The premise of Paper Spiders without spoilers.

As Dawn grapples with grief and anxiety following the loss of her husband, her mental state deteriorates, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Her daughter, Melanie, attempts to help, but her efforts inadvertently intensify Dawn's distress and jeopardize their relationship. Consumed by paranoia and a desperate need for comfort, Dawn’s actions create a widening rift between them. Melanie must then make a difficult decision: help her mother, or protect their connection.

Paper Spiders Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • shadow
  • mother daughter
  • coming of age
  • mental illness
  • paranoia
  • paranoid delusion
  • highschool
  • mental health
  • loss
  • addiction
  • recovery
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Cast & crew

Paper Spiders Cast & Characters

Lili Taylor leads the cast as Dawn, with David Rasche as Bill Hoffman and Peyton List as Lacy. Directed by Inon Shampanier; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Paper Spiders

· 7 more
From the director

More from Inon Shampanier

One more film directed by Inon Shampanier: The Millionaire Tour.

Full filmography
Ratings

Paper Spiders Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paper Spiders 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (55).

76 /100

Paper Spiders Echo Score Breakdown

Paper Spiders delivers a compelling meditation on mental illness anchored by strong performances and an earnest narrative. While the direction and visual style remain understated, the film’s emotional core and relatable characters resonate throughout. Critics note occasional pacing issues but largely commend its sincerity. Audiences respond enthusiastically, citing lasting impact and repeat‑viewing appeal. Consequently, the movie stands as a solid, thought‑provoking drama.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    Regarding art and craft, the film exhibits modest direction and restrained cinematography, lacking a bold visual signature noted by some reviewers. Editing maintains narrative clarity, though occasional pacing lapses are evident. Production design serves the domestic setting adequately without drawing attention. Overall, the technical execution is competent but not standout, reflecting a functional yet understated aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble delivers nuanced, empathetic performances, with particular praise for the lead actors’ capacity to convey fragile mental states. Inter‑character chemistry feels authentic, fostering audience connection. Some viewers note occasional melodramatic moments, yet overall depth and emotional resonance are strong. The portrayals effectively anchor the film’s thematic intentions.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative tackles a complex mental‑health subject with sincerity, offering an original perspective that resonates with viewers familiar with such experiences. Pacing varies, with occasional rapid transitions that can obscure character development, though overall coherence remains intact. The script balances humor and seriousness, resulting in an engaging, if occasionally uneven, dramatic arc.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Assessing sensory experience, the film’s score underscores emotional beats without overpowering dialogue, and sound design remains clear though unobtrusive. Visual composition adheres to a subdued palette, supporting the intimate tone but lacking distinct stylistic flair. Consequently, auditory and visual elements function adequately but do not elevate the overall impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The film’s resonant themes and authentic performances foster a lasting emotional connection, encouraging viewers to revisit its nuanced portrayal of mental illness. While some pacing irregularities exist, the blend of humor and earnest storytelling offers fresh insights on subsequent viewings. This combination of depth and replay value supports a strong rewatch factor.

Box office

Paper Spiders Box Office

Paper Spiders grossed $11,696 worldwide. $2,992 came from the US and Canada and $8,704 (74%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.7K

US & Canada
$3K
International
$8.7K
US & Canada 26% Rest of the world 74%
Videos

Paper Spiders Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Paper Spiders.

PAPER SPIDERS (2021) - Official Trailer [HD]
Details

Paper Spiders Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Teias da Alma” and “Arañas de Papel”.

Also known as
  • Teias da Alma
  • Arañas de Papel
  • Pająki z papieru
  • Papíroví pavouci
  • Papírpókok
  • 페이퍼 스파이더스
  • Păianjeni de hârtie
  • Aranhas de Papel
  • Telarañas del alma
  • Паперові павуки

Seen Paper Spiders?

FAQ

Paper Spiders FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Paper Spiders?

Paper Spiders runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Paper Spiders released?

Paper Spiders was released on May 7, 2021.

Who directed Paper Spiders?

Paper Spiders was directed by Inon Shampanier.

More films by Inon Shampanier

Who is in the cast of Paper Spiders?

Paper Spiders stars Lili Taylor as Dawn, David Rasche as Bill Hoffman and Peyton List as Lacy, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Paper Spiders make at the box office?

Paper Spiders grossed $11,696 worldwide ($2,992 domestic, $8,704 international).

How is Paper Spiders rated?

Paper Spiders has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does Paper Spiders have a post-credit scene?

No. Paper Spiders has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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