Afro-Latinidad on Screen: Examining Miles Morales and his Role in the Spider-Verse

Project Title

Afro-Latinidad on Screen: Examining Miles Morales and his Role in the Spider-Verse

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

My project examines the ongoing Spider-Verse sage and how it functions as a useful tool for examining how Afro-Latinidad is presented to mainstream audiences. Moreover, it’s an example of Hollywood’s response to demands for diversification in 2020. The first film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2018) was a major hit among audiences. However, producers did not originally think it would be a worth-while project due to the risk of creating a superhero film that does not neatly fit into the mold of a traditional (i.e. white) hero. And while the multi-verse has introduced infinitely many varieties of Spider-people, it is repeatedly reinforced that the default Spider-Man is Peter Parker, the white American male. While the first film affirms this dynamic, the second film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), moves away from it, framing Miles as an anomaly, affirming his exceptionalism. Yet, while the second film in the trilogy seeks to celebrate New York City’s diversity and Miles’ Puerto Rican heritage, it is greatly concerned with respectability, rejecting affirmative action narratives, and weaponizing his Blackness. Through examining scholarship surrounding the films and original comics, the nuances of representation in the films reveal the ways Marvel and Hollywood are tackling the task of positive depictions of people of color. 

Why is your research important?

Hollywood has a history of portraying deeply racist and stereotypical images to mainstream audiences and the effects of this have reverberated throughout society for over a century. The industry has had to take steps to ameliorate its practice and grapple with its own history. My work seeks to examine how the Spider-Verse films, which are not seen as particularly problematic, are doing “representation” in this context.

What does the process of doing your research look like?

Research for me looks like reading articles primarily in media studies and other related disciplines. It also consists of doing close readings of the films.  

What knowledge has your research contributed to your field?

The field of Latinx/e/a/o studies does not center Afro-Latinidad as much as it should, so my research attempts to reframe that. Also, since the spider-verse films are so recent, my research on the most recent film from 2023 is cutting edge. 

In what ways have you showcased your research thus far?

I have showcased my research to my friends and family because I love to talk about the films and they are already familiar with the material. 

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

I got involved in research after taking CAST 200 which is Theories and Methods in American Studies. I found myself inspired by all of the professors that came in to explain their experiences with research. 

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

I love noticing new things each time I sit down to think about a text. There’s always something you don’t notice the first time you watch a film. 

How has working with your mentor impacted the development of your research project? How has it impacted you as a researcher?

She has really challenged me to think about the critical analyses I read even more critically. This has helped me to develop the best close readings that I can. 

How has the research you’ve conducted contributed to your professional or academic development?  

It has helped me narrow down what I would want to study in grad school! I am very interested in continuing thinking about film. 

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

Follow your heart - go for the texts that speak to you the most!