Why Young Kraven Doesn't Kill The Lion In Kraven The Hunter

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Kraven the Hunter.

Kraven the Hunter reveals the animalistic nature and intensity of Kraven, but there is a scene early on that establishes a lot about the character of the Hunter. Kraven the Hunter stands out as the first entry to feature Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular villain from the Sony Spider-Man universe. However, it also marks the end of the Sony Spider-Man franchise as Sony is reportedly stepping back from releasing solo villain films.

Regardless, Kraven the Hunter does include some interesting and intense scenes as it sets up this powerful character with a surprisingly rich backstory. It alters the comic book origins in many ways, and creates interesting dynamics that do not exist in the comics, but it does make for an intriguing story as the SSU's swan song. And much of the characters' story kicks off at one moment early in the film.

Young Kraven's Decision Not To Shoot The Lion Shapes His Whole Character

Sergei Makes A Connection With The Lion

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When young Sergei is brought on a hunting trip with his father after the death of his mother, he comes face to face with a huge lion. At this moment, his father and the rest of the party had already walked on ahead, while Sergei and his younger brother lagged behind. Sergei stands in front of his brother in an effort to protect him, as he raises a shotgun and aims at the majestic animal. However, he stands there for a long time, face to face with the lion, and never pulls the trigger.

Related Kraven The Hunter: 15 Marvel Easter Eggs & References Explained Kraven the Hunter features a collection of Easter eggs and Marvel references, including some very cool nods to the original comics and characters.

This indicates that, even at this young age, Kraven had a connection with animals, and that he felt some sort of kinship with them. On top of that, it shows that Sergei wanted to be different from his father, who loved the hunt, and in the moments before this happened, he mentions that hunting animals with a gun feels wrong, and that he believes it's more fair to fight with what nature gives him, rather than using a gun for an unfair advantage. And thanks to his hesitation, his father shoots the lion, and triggers the lion attacking Sergei and killing him.

So, Why Does Kraven Accept The Lion Jacket At The End?

Kraven Becomes Just Like His Father

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After this moment, Sergei decides to cut ties with his father, and chooses to live in nature. He hones his abilities as a hunter, and he embraces the animal side of his new life. However, for a long time, he tries to live with a code and believes that he is better than his father. For many years, he rejects and pushes away any idea of his father and the evil he brings into the world, while he also embraces an attitude of killing people freely and righting his own wrongs. However, at the end of the movie, after killing his father, he is left a gift that appears to change things for him.

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Kraven's father has the lion's head skinned and turned into a jacket, the iconic Kraven jacket resembling the comics, and gifts it to his son. Rather than reject his father's gift, Kraven sits in an armchair, wearing the jacket, and staring at what he has become in the mirror. The reality is that Kraven has changed in ways, both expected and unwanted, and now, he has become someone more like his father. And therein he becomes the villain that comic book fans know as Kraven the Hunter.