In the realm of superhero adaptations, few characters have garnered as much attention and affection as Daredevil. With the recent release of Daredevil: Born Again on Disne+, fans are eager to see how this new series stacks up against its predecessors. After years of anticipation and a string of disappointments from Disney, the question remains: is Daredevil: Born Again a worthy addition to the franchise, or just another misstep in the streaming landscape?
The path to Born Again has been fraught with creative turbulence. After the original Netflix show was canceled in 2018, the new show following the same characters fans know already. Originally envisioned as a lighter, more comedic take on the Daredevil mythos, after the dud cameo appearance in She-Hulk, the series underwent significant retooling following initial production concerns. Showrunner Dario Scardapane’s reboot was sent “back to the shop” and Marvel ultimately brought on Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to help with the retooling. The shift reflects a calculated move to align with audience expectations and the grittier tone of the original Netflix series. The fingerprints of the Benson and Moorhead, who had previously impressed with their work on Loki and Moon Knight, are undeniable, particularly in the taut direction and impressive urban production design.
Visually, Daredevil: Born Again is a triumph. Cinematography pays homage to the film noir aesthetics that defined its Netflix origins, establishing a brooding atmosphere that perfectly complements the narrative’s darker themes. The action sequences, while not quite reaching the visceral heights of their predecessor, are engaging and well-executed. The first episode’s stairwell fight, for example, delivers the kind of brutal, close-quarters combat that fans have been craving.
However, the series stumbles when it comes to character development and dialogue. While Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) do appear in the debut episode, their presence feels more like a cameo than a substantial contribution to the narrative. While not as insulting as the opening of Terminator: Dark Fate, the sudden departure of Foggy and Karen as active participants in Matt’s life is explained away with a pilot episode that feels largely meaningless. The introduction of new characters, such as Matt’s therapist and love interest (Margarita Levieva), and a sharp video journalist named BB Urich (Genneya Walton) adds some intrigue, but their potential is not fully realized within the confines of the initial episodes.
At its core, Daredevil: Born Again thrives on the electrifying dynamic between Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Cox embodies Murdoch with a palpable blend of angst and moral complexity, while D’Onofrio delivers a masterclass in villainy. The scenes in which these two titans clash, verbally and physically, are the series’ undeniable highlights. Fisk’s mayoral ambitions provide a compelling narrative thread, exploring the themes of power, fear, and manipulation in a way that feels eerily relevant to our current political landscape. The storyline involving Kingpin’s political ambitions flirts with contemporary political allegory, and manages to navigate this potential pitfall with restraint, although there is a concern that future episodes may succumb to the same traps that have plagued other series.
Despite its flaws, Daredevil: Born Again represents a step in the right direction for Disney+ and the MCU. It journeys into dark spaces with its contemporary power struggle and grazes, but doesn’t surrender to, the morally blurry lines set forth in “The Joker” and “The Batman.” The series’ willingness to embrace the character’s darker roots, coupled with the exceptional performances of Cox and D’Onofrio, offers a glimmer of hope for the future of Marvel’s streaming endeavors. While it remains to be seen whether Born Again can fully overcome its production challenges and deliver on its immense potential, the initial episodes provide enough sparks of brilliance to warrant cautious optimism.
All in all, as a revival of the gritty Netflix series, Born Again grapples with the challenge of honoring its predecessor while carving out its own identity within the broader MCU. The result is a mixed bag, showcasing both the potential and the pitfalls of resurrecting a fan favorite. Is it worth watching? I think so, especially if you are a completist who loved the Netflix series, but I’m hoping this is a sign that Disney is righting the ship. They still aren’t quite there yet.
The first three episodes are available on Disney+, with one additional episode dropping every Tuesday until April 15.
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English (US) · 