Nicolas Cage’s new TV series is terrific fun. Why have you probably not even heard of it?

Nicolas Cage lends his unique brand of hangdog weirdness to the new Prime Video series "Spider-Noir." The show reimagines the familiar superhero universe through a gritty, noir lens, casting Cage as Ben Reilly, a private detective haunted by the death of his former wife. This isn't the Peter Parker of the animated "Spider-Verse" films, but a different iteration of the character, formerly known as the Spider, who retired from crime-fighting five years prior.

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You’d be forgiven for thinking this a direct, live-action spin-off from Sony’s hugely successful Spider-Verse animated films, as it features Nicolas Cage resuming his voice role from that series.

The series explores the nuances of this noir-themed Spider-Man, with Reilly exhibiting some, but not all, of the traditional web-slinger's powers. He appears to produce webs organically and possesses a "spidey sense," though it's often indistinguishable from a migraine. His physical capabilities also seem diminished, perhaps reflecting his age or the character's new circumstances. These discrepancies, while potentially confusing, add to the show's quirky charm rather than detracting from its narrative.

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Cage brings his trademark brand of hangdog weirdness to a premise that is, effectively, a $150 million (€130 million) Saturday Night Live skit.

"Spider-Noir" successfully blends classic noir elements with superhero storytelling. The show features a laconic detective, a femme fatale, and a criminal underworld, all set against a backdrop of darkened streets and smoke-filled speakeasies. Brendan Gleeson also stars as Silvermane, an organized-crime boss who becomes entangled with Reilly. The series is captured with a distinct visual style, contributing to its overall atmospheric appeal. Despite its complex premise, the show delivers a "terrific fun" experience, as described by critics, making it a standout entry in the genre.

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Brendan Gleeson is in fine, scenery-chewing form as Finn Byrne, aka Silvermane, an organised-crime boss with a thick pocketbook and an even thicker Dublin accent, who pursues, and then hires, Reilly as the emergence of superpowered individuals strikes fear among New York’s criminal underworld.