It’s not perfect, but Daredevil: Born Again also doesn’t drop the ball on arguably the best thing we got from the Netflix Marvel era.
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Let’s start with a little confession: One of the main reasons I subscribed to Netflix was Daredevil. The Marvel superhero series about a blind lawyer-turned-crimefighter was widely beloved, leading to spin-offs like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher. Sure, not all of them were good, but looking back, it was a time to appreciate a simpler Marvel that kept the action to the city streets as well as crossovers that didn’t need two dozen movies as required viewing.
However, near the end of the 2010s, fans were disheartened when these Marvel Netflix shows were canceled. But all was not lost as due to their immense following, many of these characters eventually transitioned into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Daredevil made a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, while Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, appeared in Hawkeye and Echo.
Now, after seven long years, these beloved characters are finally returning in Daredevil: Born Again. It’s been a long time coming for fans, and while Marvel’s hit-or-miss track record when it comes to their streaming shows can give some pause (a creative overhaul in 2023 had us worried), Born Again is not that kind of show. The MCU’s first big streaming release of the year gets a satisfactory thumbs up from us.
A DEVIL IN HIS ELEMENT
Daredevil: Born Again serves as a soft reboot of the series. Much like Disney’s other revivals—such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens or Alien: Romulus—the show is accessible to newcomers while rewarding longtime fans.
With Disney+ as its new platform, the production quality has notably improved. Daredevil now exhibits superhuman feats that were previously limited by Netflix’s budget. And make no mistake—despite being on Disney+, Born Again is a hard R-rated experience, filled with brutal violence, strong language, and adult themes, offering a refreshing departure from the increasingly homogenized superhero genre.
What made the original series great remains intact: a strong focus on its talented cast. Charlie Cox seamlessly returns as Matt Murdock, effortlessly capturing both his humanity and his darker, vengeful side as Daredevil. Meanwhile, Vincent D’Onofrio continues to be an imposing presence as Wilson Fisk, now more powerful than ever as the Mayor of New York.
The series does a fantastic job of highlighting the parallel journeys of Daredevil and Kingpin—both attempting to move beyond their pasts, yet inevitably drawn back into their true natures. Even without fight scenes, watching these characters navigate their personal struggles and conflicts is captivating, a testament to the strength of both the writing and the performances.
Another strength of Born Again is its thematic depth, which stands in contrast to the MCU’s recent multiverse-heavy narratives. The show explores complex issues such as the pros and cons of vigilantism, police brutality, and how societal divisions allow figures like Fisk to rise to power—issues that resonate both in the U.S. and internationally.
HE’S BORN AGAIN
However, despite its strengths, Daredevil: Born Again has some flaws. The middle episodes can drag, to the point where some scenes feel skippable. Additionally, the show’s connections to the broader MCU are a mixed bag. While references to Spider-Man might be fun, excessive cameos often feel more distracting than meaningful.
Another noticeable issue is the supporting cast. While the actors perform well, many new characters feel like watered-down versions of original favorites. Newcomers like Atty. Kirsten and Buck Cashman come across as lesser replacements for Foggy Nelson and Officer Mahoney. The absence of key original characters—such as Foggy, Karen Page, Bullseye, and The Punisher—is especially glaring in weaker episodes.
Finally, one of the biggest challenges Born Again faces is its inconsistency in tone and execution. Due to rewrites and reshoots following the recent Writers Guild of America strike, the series feels stylistically disjointed in certain moments. The earlier and later episodes differ noticeably in pacing, character focus, and even action choreography. While not as jarring as 2017’s Justice League fiasco, the shift in creative direction is apparent.
WE MISSED YOU DAREDEVIL
At its core, Daredevil: Born Again lives up to its title as a revival worthy of its predecessor. It retains the essence of what made fans love the character while demonstrating the showrunners’ passion. In an oversaturated genre filled with multiversal chaos, Born Again offers a return to grounded, old-fashioned heroism—one that isn’t for the faint of heart.
Despite some pacing issues and a few missteps, Marvel Studios successfully brings Daredevil back to streaming with the high-caliber storytelling, action, and performances that fans expect. Arguably the most popular character from the Netflix Marvel era is back where he belongs, and it feels good to see. It wouldn’t be a bad choice to put this on your to-stream list over the weekend.
Daredevil: Born Again is currently streaming on Disney+
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