Basebf555 posted:

It's more like a representation of how trapped he feels by his monotonous life with his girlfriend. Which may not be all that much of a distinction but there's also that gigantic city-sized spider that to me implies that it's more about the totality of his circumstances in life that are making him feel trapped, not necessarily as specific to women as a lot of other readings of the film seem to argue for. He's also a school teacher, which certainly isn't as exciting and glamorous as what he's got going on in the other life.