Spider-Man: Brand New Day
(dir. by Destin Daniel Cretton)
By: Dave Hughes
It was time for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to finally grow up. From his ensemble outings with the Avengers to coming face-to-face with alternate versions of himself, Holland has consistently demonstrated his emotional range, endearing himself to viewers through a grounded warmth that makes his portrayal unique. Yet, while his Spider-Man has defined youthful optimism, the time has come for him to step into adulthood and become the hero New York truly needs. Following a nearly five-year hiatus, Holland returns in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. While the film builds directly on established character continuity, it also functions as a clean slate and a bold new chapter for both the character and Marvel Studios.
Following the heartbreaking events of No Way Home, Peter Parker is now a man completely on his own. Thanks to Doctor Strange’s spell, none of his former loved ones retain any memory of his existence. Through the film's first twenty minutes, audiences watch Peter embrace his true friendly-neighborhood roots, busting street-level crime while crossing paths with local law enforcement and other vigilantes, including Frank Castle, known better as The Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal (The Odyssey, The Walking Dead) in scene-stealing fashion. It is deeply satisfying to see Holland return to a grounded version of Spider-Man rather than being immediately thrust into a battle for Earth's survival. Eventually, however, Peter encounters an enigmatic threat unlike anything he has ever faced, wielding terrifying abilities that force him to question his reality and his sanity as both Spider-Man and Peter Parker.
Stylistically, director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) brings a distinct, fresh aesthetic to Brand New Day. There are individual frames throughout the film that look as though they were lifted directly from the pages of a comic book, giving this chapter a unique visual identity absent from Holland’s previous trilogy. It is an aesthetic choice that signals a bold new era for the character. Visually, this stylized approach injects an energetic punch into the action, elevating the entire cinematic experience. Director Cretton also establishes a much more grounded, street level Spider-Man this time around.
There is a profound sense of maturity running throughout Brand New Day. This is no longer the wide-eyed Spider-Man that audiences watched navigate high school and college. This is a hero who has been put through the wringer and emerged scarred and shaken. Proving once again why he is the definitive Peter Parker, Holland balances a comforting sense of familiarity with a newly forged, battle-tested edge. There is a palpable darkness to his portrayal this time around. While seeing Holland step into such a grim space can be disorienting at first, it ultimately succeeds because it feels like a genuine, earned evolution of his character. Spider-Man’s supporting characters also demonstrate clear personal growth during their years apart. This is particularly true for Zendaya (Dune, Euphoria), who delivers a performance as MJ that is noticeably more complex and nuanced than what audiences have seen in her previous franchise appearances. There is a yawning gulf that exists between the complexities of being a young man and the full gravity of manhood. Witnessing the exploration of this evolution portrayed by one of film history’s most beloved and relatable superheroes is a sight to behold and establishes this installment as one of the best Spider-Man films to date.
Target Score 9/10- Ultimately, Marvel Studios and Sony continue their successful collaboration to deliver another memorable, heartfelt Spider-Man adventure. Spider-Man: Brand New Day serves as both a meaningful continuation and a bold fresh start for the web-slinger, leaving audiences eager to see where the road ahead takes him.