Paper Spiders (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Inon Shampanier
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Entertainment Squad
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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.
- Director Inon Shampanier
-
Lili Taylor as Dawn -
David Rasche as Bill Hoffman -
Peyton List as Lacy -
Max Casella as Gary
Also Starring in Paper Spiders
· 7 more- Michael Cyril Creighton Mr. Wessler
- Stefania Owen
- Tom Papa Howard
- Ian Nelson Daniel
- Jennifer Cody Mrs. Jensen
- Hunter Foster Professor Stern
- Deanna McKinney Officer Gina Morales
More from Inon Shampanier
One more film directed by Inon Shampanier: The Millionaire Tour.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 91%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 8.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
4 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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.
Worldwide gross
$11.7K
- US & Canada
- $3K
- International
- $8.7K
Paper Spiders Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Paper Spiders.
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?
Movies Like Paper Spiders
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Paperhouse, Paper Man and Dawning.
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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