Did Spider Turn Heel? Avatar 2 Fans Weigh In On His Divisive Actions

Warning: This article contains spoilers for "Avatar: The Way of Water."

After 13 years of setbacks, delays, and technical innovation, James Cameron and company are ready to let audiences dive back into the world of Pandora with the release of "Avatar: The Way of Water." The film follows the new adventures of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family as they must evacuate their forest home and live with an ocean-dwelling Na'vi tribe to escape the wrath of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). It also introduces a new crop of characters to the "Avatar" universe that are sure to have a long-lasting effect on the saga moving forward.

From Sully's biological children to their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) to the Metkayina tribe, the new faces in "The Way of Water" are many. Amongst the most potentially significant of these new characters is that of Miles "Spider" Socorro (Jack Champion). The orphaned son of Colonel Miles Quaritch, Spider, has lived amongst the Na'vi for his entire life thus far, given he was too young to send back to Earth when he was first discovered.

The character offers a unique perspective to the story, one of a human who sees themselves as Na'vi, despite not truly being one. Spider, being someone related to the antagonist and protagonist, could not get away without scrutiny from audiences who cannot help but question his actions. Shortly after the film's release, there is already some growing debate over Spider's role in "Avatar: The Way of Water."

Some fans are on the fence about Spider and his place in "Avatar: The Way of Water." While the human boy was raised alongside the Na'vi people all his life, many have questioned his actions, especially given how he is forced to help his father, Colonel Quaritch, locate Jake Sully and his family.

A Reddit thread started by u/JAD09211993 asks, "Am I the only one who thought ... That Spider got off way too easy for what he did in the movie. He did some terrible things and helped the Recoms and essentially caused the death of Neteyam ... " Redditor u/Dandyli0ness strongly agreed, believing that a rivalry between Spider and Jake's son Lo'ak is forming and will culminate in a final film.

Others questioned which side Spider was on, such as u/J02182003, who said, "I was afraid he would change sides at some point helped the Recoms." Spider's loyalty is ultimately questioned at the end of the film when he saves Quaritch from drowning but doesn't tell Sully or his family about it. Redditor u/maverickbluezero said, "Next movie will have a consequence for Spider. I was mad too that he saved the General, because the Jake's family all think the General is dead. When they find out General is alive Spider gonna have to tell him." Talk about an awkward conversation. Despite this, others are willing to give Spider a chance.

Not all viewers think Spider is worth vilifying in "Avatar: The Way of Water." To many, he was simply doing what he had to do to survive. In the Reddit thread, u/Sevoris defends Spider, saying, "Spider never ratted the family out, and the Recoms forced their way through by force regardless ... Does Spider make hard choices which might not be the best in the end? Yes he does! But so do other characters in this movie."

Others agreed with the statement, such as u/Chewy453, who questions, "What terrible things did he do? ... He didn't tell them any information while basically being tortured ... and constantly shouted at them to stop anytime they did anything bad." Similarly, another user even backs up Spider's choice to save Quaritch at the end, saying, "The last part where he saved his father is a like a final farewell present ... who despite being an a**hat, chose him over the chance to kill Sully."

Whether Spider takes the Luke or Anakin Skywalker path is yet to be seen, but his actor, Jack Champion, understands his character's struggle. As he tells ScreenRant, "I think Spider feels like he's always wanted a family ... And I feel like he feels that potential of a true family in the Sullys, but he also can't help but feel a little bit disconnected ... And also with Quaritch, I don't know, he feels very conflicted about what true family even means."