Why Peter Parker Can't Use His Powers In Spider-Man 2

Based on the events of "Spider-Man 2," existential crisis likely isn't far off from the truth. In fact, a more appropriate term for what Peter went through in "Spider-Man 2" could be "psychosomatic." In the real world, many people suffer from what's called psychosomatic disorder, which is when a psychological condition, such as immense stress, contributes to physical symptoms (via Cleveland Clinic). During "Spider-Man 2," Peter's stress levels were likely incredibly high.

It was getting hard for Peter to balance being Spider-Man and Peter Parker with his loved ones. Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) was ready to be with Peter but felt that he didn't have time for her due to him always being late and missing her show due to being Spider-Man (although she didn't know this yet). Harry (James Franco) was angry at Peter for continuing to take pictures of Spider-Man, Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) was going through financial struggles after Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) died, and to top it all off, Peter had financial struggles of his own.

Not to mention, immediately before Peter loses his powers, everything happens at once. At an event Peter attends, Mary Jane notes her disappointment in him in a brutal fashion, Harry confronts him and proceeds to slap him in front of a room full of people, and finally, John (Daniel Gillies) proposes to Mary Jane and she says yes.

That would be quite the emotionally traumatic set of events for any person to endure, making Peter's immediate loss of powers almost certainly attributed to a brief psychosomatic condition, or as Peter referred to it, existential crisis.