From the opening scene of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, two things become unmistakably clear. First, Sam Raimi’s films still define how the character is brought to the screen. Peter Parker’s reflective opening monologues place the audience inside the hero’s current mindset. This particular sequence includes the devastating line, “Sometimes Spider-Man has to do the hard thing, even if it breaks Peter Parker’s heart. Maybe that’s my responsibility: to live alone with the truth.”
The way Tom Holland delivers the line makes another point clear: Peter Parker, the kid from the earlier films, has grown up. His voice is deeper, huskier, and weary. That isn’t to suggest that Brand New Day is a depressing story—far from it. However, in a way that feels very true to the comics, Peter is operating from an intensely lonely place.
Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Sony, YouTube
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After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, everyone has forgotten that they ever knew him. That might seem bad enough, but the screenwriters wisely zero in on why it matters. Aunt May died, and Peter is still mourning her loss without anyone to comfort him or share his grief.
This review will have minor spoilers.
Spider-Man Does Whatever a Spider Can
Fortunately, Brand New Day doesn’t linger on those deeply depressing elements. The film quickly shifts to Spider-Man doing whatever a spider can to find a new sense of purpose. In the absence of a social life, Peter has completely devoted himself to fighting crime. A quick montage shows that Spider-Man has been very busy since the world forgot he was Peter Parker. Many of these sequences appear lifted from the Spider-Man game for the PlayStation 4, but fully realized in live action.
The visuals are outstanding. Director Destin Daniel Cretton uses 360-degree spins to follow a character who can run across ceilings as easily as floors—or be hurled into a wall during a fight. Throughout the various battles and chases, Spidey uses his webs in ways we have never seen before but that make perfect sense for the character. The film also subtly recreates several iconic comic-book panels. Spider-Man’s suit is bright and vivid, matching a colorful palette that never relies on darkness to conceal shoddy CGI.
Even the needle drops, of which there are several, never feel distracting or out of place.
Peter Parker’s Greatest Enemy Is Life
Of course, none of that cinematic wizardry would matter without a compelling story, and a compelling story depends on well-defined characters. Brand New Day has both.
When Peter is in his element, fighting crime as Spider-Man, he constantly delivers quips. Much of his banter is exchanged with Frank Castle’s foul-mouthed Punisher. The dialogue is sharper than in the previous films, where audiences were often laughing at Peter rather than with him. Like the character himself, his humor has matured. Peter has developed greater confidence—and some genuinely clever lines. Once the fighting is over, however, Spider-Man offers encouragement and expresses concern for everyone around him. It is a reminder that the kindest people are often those who have suffered the greatest losses.
That kindness is also entirely sincere. There is never a moment when a joke is used to undercut a heartfelt scene. One exchange between Peter and M.J. comes dangerously close, only to pivot in a way that feels honest and true to the moment.
Spider-Man vs. The Punisher in the Brand New Day trailer- Sony, YouTube
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Because Peter is living without his best friends, M.J. and Ned, he is intensely lonely. Yet he can find no real relief. Reminding them who he is would place them at risk—a painful lesson he learned through Aunt May’s death. This is where Brand New Day truly shines. Peter’s desire to protect those he loves while continuing to fulfill his duty as Spider-Man is presented as honorable. Ultimately, however, it is also impossible. There is an antagonist in this story, but as has often been observed, Peter Parker’s ultimate villain is life itself.
His journey is paralleled by that of the central antagonist. Although spoilers have already leaked online, the revelation is still best experienced—and effective—on the big screen. It is worth noting, however, that the conflict is not resolved by determining who has the stronger superpowers. Instead, its resolution emerges from a legacy of kindness and wisdom.
An Overcrowded Marvel Universe
However, this review isn’t going to suggest that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a perfect film.
Two MCU cameos are seemingly shoehorned into the story as plot devices. Yelena appears early in the film to humiliate our hero and provide him with information. Bruce Banner also arrives to guide Peter toward a helpful piece of technology. Later, the Hulk supplies the basis for one of the movie’s more memorable, if superfluous, action sequences. Although mildly entertaining, these moments weigh the film down and contribute to an already indulgent runtime.
Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Sony, Marvel Studios
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Personally, my biggest complaint is that the film’s central MacGuffin turns out to be something of a shaggy dog.
Still, these are relatively minor complaints about a film that maintains a remarkable balance between fun, thrills, and gentle observations about heartache and loss. Tom Holland gives his best performance yet, while Zendaya capably navigates her character’s complex emotions. There were countless ways this movie could have gone wrong. The nimble way it avoids those traps is worthy of Spider-Man’s own agility.
I give Spider-Man: Brand New Day a 9/10.
Have you seen Spider-Man: Brand New Day? What’s your review? Sound off and let us know!
