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Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter ends about as well as you'd expect considering the rest of the films in Sony's Spider-Man universe. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular Sergei Kravinoff, the film's ending finds Kraven fully becoming the Spider-Man villain he's known as in the comics, while also featuring some fun side reveals. That said, Kraven's villainous evolution is not as satisfying as many expected.
In Kraven the HunterSergei Kravinoff's new cinematic story and origins with his father Nikolai (Russell Crowe) are explored, as well as his present-day mission to save his half-brother Dimitri (Fred Hechinger) from the Rhinoceros (Alessandro Nivola). However, the ending features some strange character choices based on what was previously established in the new Marvel film. With that in mind, here it is Kraven the Hunter ending explained, as well as what it could mean for the future.
Kraven the Hunter's Final Shot Explained
A year after Sergei saved his brother and killed the Rhino and Nikolai, Kraven returns to his father's house after his brother tells him that his father left him something. Opening a box, Sergei discovers that Nikolai has taken the head of the lion that almost killed him as a child and turned it into a vest.. As such, Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Sergei resembles Kraven from the original Marvel comics, as he puts on the lion's head vest and sits down, resting his chin on one arm.
As such, Kraven the Hunter ends with Sergei mirroring Kraven's classic look and pose in the comics. This means his complete evolution into the Spider-Man villain he's known as in the comics, giving him the frequent and almost necessary appearance of the comic book costume in the third act that audiences have come to expect from the superhero movie genre.
What does it mean for Kraven to wear the lion's jacket?
In addition to the comic book significance, Kraven putting on the vest also signifies a darker change for the character.. Sergei's late father's note contained Nikolai's claims that he and Kraven were one and the same, legendary hunters to be feared. Despite Sergei's hatred for his father, it appears that this letter combined with his earlier conversation with Dimitri (who expressed similar sentiments) motivated Kraven to embrace the path his father set for him, that of the Hunter. To that end, Sergei finally accepting that he is not a good man is the only reason that makes sense for him to have put on the vest.
How the Finale Sets Up the Return of Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Kraven
Now that Sergei has officially become the Kraven seen in the comics, he could theoretically be brought back as a Spider-Man villain at some point.. That being said, it was recently reported that Kraven the Hunter is the last SSU film from Sony that doesn't feature the iconic Webslinger. As such, the likelihood of Taylor-Johnson's Kraven being able to fight Spider-Man seems very slim, unless something multiversal happens in the MCU where his paths cross with Tom Holland's Spider-Man, or something like the universe of Sony ending up combining with the MCU after Secret Wars.
Nikolai Kravinoff's Death Explained: Did Kraven Kill Him?
Before putting on the vest and skipping a year, Kraven is shown meeting up with his father in the forest after Rhino is killed and Dimitri saved. Unwilling to become his father's heir and take control of his criminal empire, Sergei secretly removes the bullets from Nikolai's rifle. Likewise, it is heavily implied that Sergei influenced the grizzly bear to attack and attack his father, just as he influenced the bison herd to attack the convoy during the fight with Rhino. and the wolf during Sergei's escape from prison in Kraven the Hunter opening scenes.
Why Kraven Finally Went After His Father
Having learned from Rhino that Nikolai was the one who set him up and put him in Aleksei Sytsevich sightsSergei finally went after his father after years of keeping his distance. This was because Nikolai knowingly used one son to kill a threat he could not, while risking the other son as acceptable collateral damage. As such, Kraven could no longer bear his father's darkness and the pain he brought to the world, resulting in the bear attacking him.
How Dmitri Became a Chameleon Explained
Sergei's meeting with Dimitri in Kraven the Hunter The final scenes reveal that Dimitri has taken control of his father's empire and the Rhino's assets. Likewise, Dimitri also reveals that he met with the same New York doctor who gave Sytsevich strength, horns, and hardened skin. Now having the ability to take on the appearance of anyone at will, Dimitri officially becomes the classic Spider-Man villain known as The Chameleon.a master of disguise who once used old-fashioned masks as well as advanced technology, before gaining inherent shape-shifting abilities, just like Marvel's new on-screen Chameleon.
That being said, The classic all-white head of the comic book Chameleon can be seen between glances as Dimitri changes his face at will. Likewise, the New York doctor in question is none other than geneticist Miles Warren, also known as The Jackal. Warren is most famous for instigating the Spider-Man Clone Saga in the comics with the creation of several clones, most notably the Scarlet Spiders, who became known as Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker.
Why the Chameleon took control of his father's criminal empire
It's a really strange decision as to why Dimitri chose to take over his father's empire at the end of Kraven the Hunter. Despite accusing Sergei of being like his father, whom they both hated, Dimitri still becomes himself. This is even more disconcerting when you consider how much he wanted to become someone else at the beginning of the film, especially now with his new powers. As such, the only decent explanation for this choice is due to a still-ongoing cycle of abuse, with Dimitri still wanting to make Nikolai proud even after his death (and all the pain he caused him).
What happened to Calypso?
During the battle with Rhino and his men, Calypso (Ariana DeBose) kills The Stranger (Christopher Abbott) before giving Sergei more of her family's potion before his fight with Sytsevich. However, Calypso is not seen again, making her future uncertain.. That being said, we could probably safely assume that Calypso is back working in London and would likely work with Kraven again to help him track down more targets in the future. It's also logical that Sergei would want to know more about the potion that saved his life twice, especially after it was confirmed that Calypso had more of the elixir.
The True Meaning of Kraven the Hunter's Ending Explained
Does darkness beget darkness?
Ultimately, the true meaning behind Kraven the Hunter the ending is somewhat difficult to fully decipher, considering the overall incomplete nature of the third actas well as Sergei and Dimitri's arguably unusual decisions following their father's death. This is particularly true in the case of Kraven's decision to not only use his father's gift, but also to kill Nikolai in the first place. For example, it might have made more sense for Kraven to break the cycle of darkness and spare his father's life.
“It certainly seems like Kraven the Hunter the ending suffers from being too rushed. It just doesn't fully make up for the potential that was previously created in the new Marvel movie…”
Furthermore, it might have made more sense for Sergei to discard the vest after trying it on, rather than quickly choosing to follow the path his father laid out for him in the last two minutes of Kraven the Hunter. Either way, it certainly seems like Kraven the Hunter the ending suffers from being too rushed. It simply doesn't fully make up for the potential previously created in the new Marvel film.
Kraven the Hunter is now showing in theaters.