Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review: Following a string of divisive entries in recent years, Marvel Studios and Sony return to their flagship hero with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Blending coming-of-age drama, superhero spectacle and martial arts-inspired action, the latest Spider-Man outing aims to remind audiences why the web-slinger remains one of Marvel’s most beloved characters.
With his life consumed by the responsibilities of being Spider-Man, Peter Parker struggles to balance the mounting pressure of protecting New York City entirely on his own. As his body begins to undergo an alarming transformation, the arrival of a dangerous new enemy threatens everything he’s fought to protect.
I’ll admit I’ve been off the MCU bandwagon for quite a while now. The endless stream of mediocre projects has chipped away at the excitement and magic the blockbuster franchise once had. In fact, the last Marvel film I saw in cinemas was Spider-Man: No Way Home, so it’s rather fitting that another Spidey adventure is the film that finally brought me back.
Spider-Man Brand New Day Review: A Welcome Return to Form for Marvel
One thing that immediately stood out was just how strong the core trio remains. Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon continue to have effortless chemistry, and Peter, MJ and Ned genuinely feel like lifelong friends. Rather than relying solely on quippy dialogue, the film gives each of them meaningful emotional beats and noticeable character growth. Their relationships feel authentic, allowing the emotional moments to land far more effectively than they have in many recent Marvel films.
I must say Destin Daniel Cretton proves he was an inspired choice behind the camera. The martial arts influence he showcased in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings carries over beautifully, resulting in some of the best action sequences the MCU has delivered in years. The standout for me was undoubtedly the Hulk versus Spider-Man sequence, culminating in the brutal office showdown with Punisher. After years of the watered-down “Smart Hulk,” it was incredibly satisfying to see Bruce Banner transformed back into the uncontrollable rage monster that recalls his appearance in The Avengers (2012). If Marvel ever lets Cretton leave the studio, I’d love to see him tackle a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, because his kinetic, martial arts-inspired direction feels tailor-made for those characters.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is another major highlight, providing unexpected comic relief while still feeling every bit as intimidating as I’d hoped. He steals nearly every scene he’s in without ever overshadowing Spider-Man. And while we’re praising the creative team, the costume department deserves enormous credit. Spider-Man’s new suit is easily Tom Holland’s best look yet and arguably one of the finest live-action adaptations of Steve Ditko’s original comic design ever put on screen.
Unfortunately, the film isn’t without its shortcomings. Without venturing into spoiler territory, Sadie Sink’s character bears little resemblance to her comic counterpart beyond the name. Sink delivers a committed performance and does everything she can with the material, but the screenplay never allows the character to feel like a faithful interpretation. It also feels strange that the primary antagonist isn’t a Spider-Man villain. Combined with the sheer number of MCU heroes making appearances, the film occasionally loses sight of its title character, feeling more like a miniature Avengers film than a focused Spider-Man story. The ambitious scope also contributes to an overlong two-and-a-half-hour runtime, and several scenes could easily have been cut to create a tighter, more focused experience.
Despite those issues, Spider-Man: Brand New Day succeeds where many recent Marvel films have stumbled. It delivers genuine heart, exhilarating action and reminds audiences why Spider-Man continues to be the emotional centrepiece of the MCU. While it occasionally tries to juggle too many ideas at once, this is still a hugely entertaining blockbuster and a welcome return to form that has me genuinely excited about Marvel again.
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Score: 8/10
