Nerdy orphan Peter Parker’s (Tobey Maguire) life is turned upside down when he is bitten by a genetically-modified spider while on a school field trip. The teen suddenly finds himself imbued with super powers, from super-human strength to the ability to shoot webbing from his wrists. Forced to grapple with the meaning of his powers, Parker eventually decides that it is his duty to use his newfound abilities to protect rest of humanity. Parker soon finds that the life of a superhero very is lonely as the woman he loves, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) begins dating mutual friend Harry (James Franco). Meanwhile, Parker’s former mentor Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe) deliberately exposes himself to the spider venom, a move that both imbues him with superhuman abilities and destroys his hold on sanity. Now known as the Green Goblin, Osborn attempts to convince Parker to join him in terrorizing the city. Now Parker must make his choice: will he turn his back on the people he protects in the pursuit of power and glory, or will he continue to struggle through a life of unappreciated and dangerous altruism.