At the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, we see a bittersweet moment between Peter Parker and MJ. Peter decides to erase MJ’s memory of their relationship to keep her safe from the dangers of being associated with Spider-Man. As he goes to leave, MJ seems to recognize him, but it’s left up to interpretation whether she remembers him or not.
There are several clues throughout the film that suggest MJ might have some form of memory of Peter, even after his spell erases their relationship. Let’s take a closer look at these clues and what they might mean.
The first clue comes early in the film when Peter visits MJ and Ned at their new apartment. MJ mentions that she has a strange feeling like they’ve all met before, but she can’t remember where. This could be interpreted as a nod to the previous Spider-Man films where MJ was a prominent character, but it could also be a hint that MJ’s memory is trying to resurface.
Later in the film, when Peter and MJ are falling from the Statue of Liberty, they share a moment where Peter tells her he loves her. This moment is interrupted when Doctor Strange casts his spell, but it’s clear that MJ was affected by Peter’s words. Even though she can’t remember their relationship, it’s possible that her subconscious is still holding onto those feelings.
Finally, at the end of the film, when Peter is leaving and MJ sees him from across the coffee shop, she seems to recognize him. She pauses and looks at him for a moment before going back to her conversation with Ned. This moment could be interpreted in a few different ways.
On the one hand, MJ might simply be reacting to the fact that a stranger is staring at her. It’s not uncommon for people to look at each other in public spaces, so her pause might be nothing more than a passing moment of curiosity. On the other hand, it’s possible that MJ’s memory is starting to resurface and she recognizes Peter on some level.
It’s worth noting that the scene is deliberately left open to interpretation. The camera lingers on MJ’s face for a few seconds, but we don’t see what she’s thinking or feeling. We’re left to infer her thoughts based on her body language and facial expressions.
It’s also worth considering what the implications would be if MJ did recognize Peter. If her memory is starting to come back, it could mean that Peter’s spell was not entirely successful. It could also mean that Peter’s decision to erase her memory was ultimately futile. If MJ’s subconscious is holding onto memories of Peter, it’s possible that those memories could resurface again in the future.
In conclusion, while the scene at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home is left open to interpretation, there are several clues throughout the film that suggest MJ might remember Peter on some level. Whether this is a deliberate choice by the filmmakers or simply a coincidence is up for debate, but it’s clear that fans are eager to see what happens next in the Spider-Man universe.