Daredevil: Born Again Review: A Gritty Yet Uneven Return for the Man Without Fear!

Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again has finally arrived on Disney+, bringing back Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin) in a series that blends political intrigue, brutal action, and the moral complexities of vigilantism. While the show delivers the high production values and intense drama fans expect, it struggles to fully rise above the conventions of the superhero genre, leaving viewers with a mixed but compelling experience.

A Familiar Yet Timely Villain

The series picks up with Wilson Fisk, the infamous Kingpin, launching a dark-horse campaign for mayor of New York. His platform? Fear, chaos, and revenge. Fisk’s rise to power feels eerily familiar, echoing real-world political figures who thrive on division and authoritarianism. While the character’s mayoral ambitions are rooted in the Daredevil comics, the timing and execution of his campaign in Born Again feel like a deliberate nod to contemporary politics, particularly the era of Donald Trump.

As Fisk consolidates power, sidelining opposition and ruling by executive fiat, Daredevil (Matt Murdock) vows to take back the city. “This is our city, not his, and we can take it back,” he declares, setting the stage for a classic battle between justice and corruption.

A Complicated Continuation

Born Again exists in a unique space within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It’s not quite a reboot, nor is it a direct continuation of the original Netflix Daredevil series. Instead, it weaves together elements from the Netflix show and recent MCU appearances in Hawkeye and Echo. For fans who haven’t kept up with every Marvel project, the show provides enough context to follow along, though some details—like why Fisk isn’t in jail—may require a quick refresher.

The series reintroduces familiar faces, including Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), who join Murdock in their fight against Fisk’s reign of terror. However, the show’s tone has shifted from the gritty, pulpy aesthetic of the Netflix series to a more polished, “peak TV” style. This change is evident in the show’s glossy cinematography, curated soundtrack (featuring artists like Nick Cave), and self-consciously hip references, such as a Godfather-inspired scene set at Brooklyn’s iconic Bamonte’s restaurant.

Highs and Lows of the Season

While Born Again boasts meticulous production and a strong cast, it struggles to balance its ambitious themes with the demands of a superhero narrative. The season’s herky-jerky structure—reportedly the result of behind-the-scenes changes in showrunners—detracts from its overall impact. Standalone episodes, like a bank heist and arcs involving a minor hero and a serial killer, feel disjointed and underdeveloped, diluting the show’s central themes of vigilantism and justice.

That said, the series shines in its action sequences and character moments. Jon Bernthal’s return as the Punisher is a standout, injecting the show with raw energy and moral complexity. His ultra-cynical, ultraviolent approach to crime-fighting provides a stark contrast to Daredevil’s more principled methods, creating some of the season’s most compelling scenes.

Other performances, like Nikki M. James as a colleague of Murdock’s and Michael Gandolfini as Fisk’s loyal enforcer, also leave an impression. However, some of the show’s talented cast, including Cox and D’Onofrio, feel underutilized. Cox’s portrayal of Daredevil remains earnest but lacks the depth needed to anchor the series, while D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, though menacing, feels like a retread of his earlier performances.

A Missed Opportunity for Depth

One of the show’s most glaring shortcomings is its failure to fully explore the moral and ethical dilemmas at its core. While Born Again touches on themes of corruption, vigilantism, and the cost of justice, it often reduces these ideas to simplistic conflicts between good and evil. The result is a series that feels more like a conventional superhero show than the nuanced, character-driven drama it aspires to be.

The show’s reliance on graphic violence—while true to the character’s roots—sometimes feels gratuitous, overshadowing its attempts at deeper storytelling. Additionally, the frequent use of primal screams by Murdock and other characters, a carryover from the Netflix series, comes across as more melodramatic than meaningful.

Final Verdict

Daredevil: Born Again is a visually stunning, action-packed addition to the MCU that will satisfy fans of the character and the genre. However, its uneven pacing, underdeveloped themes, and reliance on familiar tropes prevent it from reaching the heights of its Netflix predecessor. While the series offers plenty of thrills and standout moments, it ultimately falls short of its potential to deliver a truly groundbreaking story.

For Marvel fans, Born Again is worth watching for its stellar performances, particularly from Jon Bernthal, and its timely exploration of power and corruption. But for those hoping for a deeper, more innovative take on Daredevil’s world, the series may feel like a missed opportunity.