When Netflix canceled Daredevil in 2018, it felt like a gut punch to fans of the gritty, visceral series. The show had everything: brutal action, stunning cinematography, complex characters, and deep religious symbolism that gave it an extra layer of meaning. Now, seven years later, Daredevil: Born Again has arrived on Disney+ with a fresh start—and a lot to live up to.
So far, the two-episode premiere is off to a solid, if imperfect, start. The opening hooks you immediately with an intense fight sequence that has lasting consequences for Matt Murdock. As always, he’s torn between his two identities: the lawyer seeking justice by day and the masked vigilante meting out punishment by night. However, after a traumatic event (which we won’t spoil), Matt decides to hang up the horns—at least, for now.
On the other side of the coin is Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, played once again by Vincent D’Onofrio. He claims to have turned over a new leaf, running for mayor of New York City, but Matt isn’t buying it. And to be fair, Fisk doesn’t believe Matt’s retirement story either. Both men seem destined to fall back into their old ways—it’s only a matter of time.
The biggest strength of Born Again so far is the return of Charlie Cox and D’Onofrio. Their performances remain top-tier, seamlessly slipping back into these iconic roles as if no time has passed. Unlike their scattered appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Hawkeye, She-Hulk, and Echo, this show actually gives them something substantial to work with. If they continue at this level, Born Again could easily become the best Marvel series on Disney+—though, given the track record, that’s a low bar.
That said, it’s not perfect. The action is solid but not quite as brutal as it once was. The cinematography shines in nighttime sequences but feels uninspired during the day. The writing isn’t as sharp as the original series but is still passable. Perhaps the biggest letdown is the reduced religious symbolism, a key element that made Daredevil stand out. Aside from a single line about grace and retribution and a brief church scene featuring Matthew 8:8, the deeper theological themes seem toned down.
Despite these flaws, Born Again is still leagues above most of Marvel’s recent Disney+ efforts. Shows like WandaVision and Moon Knight started strong but ultimately unraveled into incoherence. Hopefully, Daredevil: Born Again avoids that fate and sticks the landing. So far, it’s good—but not great. Time will tell if it can truly live up to its predecessor.
