- Carmina Tellez
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
What Spider-Man: Brand New Day Can Teach Us About Loneliness
The experience of a lonely superhero
Written By: Carmina Tellez
About the Author
Carmina Tellez, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) RP (Q)
Last month, the newest installment in the Spider-Man universe, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, was released in theatres and quickly became the highest-grossing film of 2026, surpassing even Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Odyssey (Box Office Mojo, 2026). With record-breaking numbers during its domestic opening, it raises an interesting question: What made this particular Spider-Man story resonate so deeply with audiences?
Some might argue that its success can be attributed to its beloved co-stars-turned-married-couple, Zendaya and Tom Holland. However, I personally think the film’s appeal is rooted in something much more meaningful… Underneath the action sequences and superhero spectacle, Brand New Day taps into something much more ordinary– and much more painful.
Peter Parker Is, Somehow, Just Like Us
Spider-Man: Brand New Day explores a feeling that is experienced by millions of people but is rarely given much attention in the superhero genre: loneliness.
Peter has lost many of the most important people in his life. Following Aunt May’s death and the decision to erase himself from the memories of his closest friends, Peter finds himself increasingly isolated.
Yet, he persists.
He continues fighting crime. He continues saving people. He continues carrying the responsibility of protecting humanity– all while having no one to come home to.
In many ways, Peter’s instinct to put everyone else before himself contributes to his emotional exhaustion. His internal distress is even metaphorically captured through the intense, more aggressive mutation of his “Spider-Sense”, which becomes increasingly overwhelming as he struggles to manage what is happening around him.
Peter’s isolation is not unfamiliar to many people today. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 in 6 people worldwide experience loneliness, with rates particularly high among adolescents and young adults (WHO, 2026). Like the social isolation Peter experiences, loneliness can have significant effects on a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
So, if loneliness can affect even a superhero, how does Peter learn to move through it?
What Spider-Man Can Teach Us About Loneliness
The film’s ability to capture an experience shared by so many young people– perhaps particularly young men– is what makes its exploration of loneliness so powerful. Brand New Day reminds us that even superheroes can experience profound sadness, isolation, and emotional overwhelm. More importantly, experiencing these feelings does not mean that something is fundamentally wrong with you.
You may not have the responsibility of saving humanity resting on your shoulders, but you may have other responsibilities weighing heavily on you. Maybe you’ve experienced a difficult breakup or a significant loss that you haven’t had the opportunity to process. Maybe there are feelings of sadness, anger, or grief building inside you that have become increasingly difficult to contain. Or perhaps you’ve become so accustomed to taking care of everyone else that you’ve forgotten to check in with yourself.
Sometimes, loneliness isn’t about physically being alone. You can be surrounded by friends, family, coworkers, or a partner and still feel profoundly disconnected.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on what has been happening in your life. What experiences might be affecting the way you show up in the world? Are there emotions you’ve been avoiding? Is there something you wish you could change?
A Brand New Day
Peter Parker may not have had the opportunity to sit down with a therapist, but his story offers us some valuable reminders about navigating loneliness in our own lives.
You’re not alone – even superheroes experience loneliness
Feeling lonely does not make you weak, broken, or incapable. Loneliness is a deeply human experience, and acknowledging it can be the first step toward reconnecting with yourself and others.
Life circumstances are worth acknowledging
Sometimes, we expect ourselves to keep moving forward without recognizing what we have actually been through. Loss, heartbreak, change, and disappointment can affect us in ways we don't always immediately recognize. Giving yourself permission to acknowledge these experiences can create space for healing.
You are strong, even when your mind feels overwhelmed
There Strength does not always look like pushing through. Sometimes, strength means recognizing that something isn’t working, allowing yourself to feel what you’ve been carrying, and being willing to ask for support.
You don’t have to go through it alone
You may not be Spider-Man, but you’re human – and that means you deserve support, connection, and a place where you don’t have to carry everything alone.
Perhaps the most important lesson Peter Parker can teach us is that we aren't meant to carry everything by ourselves. Reaching out to a friend, reconnecting with someone you trust, joining a community, or speaking with a therapist can be meaningful ways of breaking through isolation. If you’d like to explore your feelings with a professional and gain insight into your needs, you can book a session with me by clicking the link below.
References
Box Office Mojo. (2026). 2026 Worldwide Box Office. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/
World Health Organization [WHO]. (2025). Social Isolation and Loneliness. https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/social-isolation-and-loneliness
More About Carmina
Carmina is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Master of Psychotherapy from the University of Guelph and offers therapy in both English and Spanish.
Her approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and compassion. Drawing from Narrative Therapy, solution-focused approaches, and systemic and relational perspectives, Carmina strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your experiences at your own pace. Your work together is shaped by your values, hopes, lived experiences, relationships, culture, identities, and what matters most to you.
Carmina works with youth and adults navigating concerns such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, immigration and cultural identity, 2SLGBTQ+ identities, intimate partner violence, intergenerational trauma, stress and burnout, and self-care.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, watching movies, travelling, exploring the arts, and spending time with loved ones.
