Spiderhead feels like it exists for one purpose: to give Chris Hemsworth a meaty acting gig that proves he’s more than just Thor (or a goofy comedian). And, hey, if that was the goal then they achieved it. This is most certainly an actor’s movie and, while it can run a little long, at least it lets some talented actors flex their acting muscles.

The flick is about a (mad) scientist who is testing mood-enhancing chemicals on “volunteer” prisoners. Make them angry, fearful, paranoid, or super horny. It’s a bit of a battle of wits (and ethics) between Chris Hemsworth as the scientist and Miles Teller as the primary prisoner.

It’s a very talky film… many, many long scenes of dialog and duels of ethics. It probably over-indulges in these scenes and the whole flick could have been a health hour long… but it runs a little over ninety-five minutes. I wouldn’t say it ever gets boring but it does get a little repetitive.

But that might also depend on how much you enjoy the actors… who are all very good.

The main issue I came away with was… what have we learned here today? Was this movie “about” anything? Was it about medical ethics or prisons or philosophy? I think it thinks it might be but I came away with… eh… it was about mad science, I guess. A little unfocused.

I pretty much liked the film though part of me did occasionally get antsy. Happy that Hemsworth got himself an interesting part. It’s a bit of a slow burn and very much feels more like an acting exercise, but it ain’t bad.

Score: 77