Special Can Be Lonely

At over $2 billion at the box office, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is officially the highest-grossing Spider-Man film of all time. It has also entered rare air: only eight films in total have so far surpassed this mark.

One reason is that the film uses superpowers to highlight the complexity of the human experience, not the other way around. It’s not, “I’m strong and hopeful, and that’s why I can use these powers well.” More like, “What do these powers even mean when I’m feeling sad and alone?” The supernatural aspects dial up the consequences, but, at its core, this is a film about becoming an adult. About growing up. Being any adult, really. And the responsibility of dealing with our inner worlds as much as our outer realities.

In Spidey’s case, the external fight is one he can’t win: The villain is way more powerful than he is, so more webs and jump kicks aren’t gonna cut it. In the end, it’s not a punch in the gut that knocks out the enemy. It’s a memory Peter Parker shared with his deceased aunt May, which he passes on.

Soon after his powers first come to light and the action begins, aunt May sits down next to Peter on his bed. She tells him that his new life can get scary fast, and that things will keep changing in ways no one, not even Peter, will be able to imagine. Having just defeated some crazy bad guy while swinging from a skyscraper, Peter says he knows, but aunt May shakes her head.

“I don’t think you do know.” “What do you mean?” “You’re a really special person. And I would hope that that will always make you feel really great about yourself—but I know sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes, you’ll be really lonely. And sometimes, because you’re special… people can do dark, monstrous things to you. This is what I want you to know: You’re beautiful, and the people who love you… we love you not because you’re special, love you because you’re you. I want you to remember that. Even when it feels like you’re totally alone. That’s your deepest responsibility. Never forget that, no matter how powerful you become.”

To the people we love, “special” means “special.” To everyone else, it just means “different.” And since we’re all different to most people, most of us, even those without superpowers, can relate. That’s why, at this point, we all sit crying in the theater, and why the villain, too, suddenly gets it. No fatal bullets or Hulk smash needed. Merely the power of words and human connection.

Whatever makes you special, be it your brain, your status, or some physical anomaly, please remember: Special can be lonely—but it never means you’re actually alone.