'Daredevil: Born Again' review: Is the return of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk worth the wait?
In Daredevil: Born Again, the iconic archnemeses Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) face off once again, each claiming they’ve changed. Matt, struggling with a tragic past, swears he’s done with his vigilante life, while Wilson, now a mayoral candidate in New York City, insists he has left behind his criminal empire.
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However, neither character truly believes the other, and neither do we. The core of this show relies on the inevitable return of these characters to their familiar roles. If Matt and Wilson ever completely transformed, there would be no story to tell.
This sense of familiarity brings both comfort and constraint. Daredevil: Born Again largely sticks to the same formula that worked in the original Netflix series, which can be satisfying, but it also risks feeling stagnant.
Despite having new leadership — with Dario Scardapane serving as showrunner and Matt Corman and Chris Ord as creators — Born Again isn’t a spinoff but a direct continuation of Daredevil. Although the Netflix series concluded its three-season run in 2018, Cox’s Daredevil and D’Onofrio’s Kingpin have appeared in multiple Marvel projects since then, including Echo, Hawkeye, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Though much has occurred since their last solo series, it’s refreshing to find that not much has fundamentally shifted about these characters. At the outset, Born Again feels comforting, like returning to an old neighborhood — some things have changed, but much remains the same.
For Fisk, that means ruling the city with an iron fist while making dark pronouncements about his vision for New York, all while gazing at his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer). Matt, on the other hand, continues his crusade for justice, working with Foggy (Elden Henson) and Karen (Deborah Ann Woll) in the courtroom, and, eventually, suiting up again as Daredevil. As always, he’s conflicted about his violent tendencies.
When Matt does return to his vigilante duties, it’s impossible to ignore the primal thrill of watching him defeat faceless henchmen to the tune of John Paesano’s iconic theme. Though the action may lack novelty, it delivers a satisfying sense of nostalgia. The fight choreography by Philip Silvera remains impressive, showcasing both Daredevil’s resilience and his deep inner turmoil.
Born Again also benefits from the occasional crossover moments with characters from other Marvel properties. The shared universe, once fresh and exciting, still delivers small thrills — such as a brief team-up between Matt and a Ms. Marvel character — reminding us of the expansive potential of the MCU without overwhelming us with forced interconnectivity.
That said, Born Again often excels in suggesting potential rather than realizing it. The first nine episodes — which constitute half of the planned 18-episode series — feel incomplete. While the familiarity of the series is part of its charm, the lack of major surprises or fresh developments can be disappointing.
Some new characters, like Matt’s therapist love interest Heather (Margarita Levieva) and the ambitious BB Urich (Genneya Walton), start strong but later feel sidelined, reduced to mere pawns in the ongoing battle between Matt and Fisk. Themes like police brutality and corrupt elites appear but often seem superficial, more about adding a "gritty" feel than exploring deeper issues. Both Matt and Fisk’s journeys, though compelling, don’t stray far from their well-worn paths.
What ultimately lifts Born Again is the stellar performances from its lead actors. D’Onofrio’s portrayal of Fisk remains magnetic; his intense, methodical character is as captivating as ever, making even simple gestures feel laden with power.
Charlie Cox’s portrayal of Matt Murdock remains the emotional anchor of the series. His ability to convey both the angst and depth of Daredevil is remarkable, and his chemistry with nearly every co-star makes each interaction feel meaningful. Whether he’s bantering with his colleagues, clashing with his frenemy Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), or engaging in fleeting flirtations, Cox effortlessly brings complexity to Matt’s character.
While Daredevil’s journey is one of constant conflict, Cox’s nuanced performance makes us believe in the possibility of growth, even though we know that true resolution for the character is unlikely. This eternal struggle is what keeps Daredevil intriguing, though it also means that the series is destined to repeat its core themes, making it both familiar and, at times, frustrating.
Daredevil: Born Again may not be breaking new ground, but its strong performances, nostalgic appeal, and small moments of expansion within the Marvel universe will keep fans coming back for more. Whether it reaches its full potential will depend on how the series evolves in its second half — but one thing is clear: Daredevil and Kingpin’s battle is far from over. MA
