After Daredevil’s third and final season ended, Marvel & Disney Plus produced a revival with Charlie Cox & Vincent D’Onofrio reprising their roles as Daredevil/Matt Murdock & Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. Set a few years later, Wilson Fisk becomes the new mayor of NYC whose intention is outlawing superheroes. Grieving over a loss, Matt Murdock comes out of retirement to put an end to Fisk’s political corruption.
Daredevil: Born Again’s first season officially streamed in 2025 (same year My Hero Academia’s final season streamed) on Disney Plus. It received praise from critics, fans and viewers alike. Season 2 is currently streaming. Before I watch the latest season, I wanna share my opinion on Season 1.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Good & Evil Aspects
Good: Charlie Cox, Elden Henson Deborah Ann Woll & Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Newcomers such as Margarita Levieva, Genneya Walton & Michael Gandolfini all did a decent job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences are visceral and brutal at the same time.
The Newton Brothers (The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, X-Men ‘97) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Practical and Visual Effects were blended carefully.
Cinematography’s shot in stable condition.
Pacing felt natural. Didn’t feel like a snorefest.
The Tone retains the previous show’s dark atmosphere influenced by Frank Miller’s run. Thank goodness Matt wasn’t done dirty in his show. She-Hulk’s mini-series made him a joke.
Matt’s chemistry with his friends serve as the main highlight.
Fisk’s role as mayor of NYC is taken from a storylines “Mayor Fisk” & “Devil Reign.” The latter involves Fisk intending to outlaw superheroes.
Fisk’s right-hand man, Daniel Blake plays an important role in his boss’s campaign. Daniel’s played by James Gandolfini’s son, Michael. He’s following his late father’s footsteps since he played young Tony Soprano in “The Many Saints of Newark.”
Primary Themes are Loss, Corruption, Deception & Retribution. Each one’s handled maturely.
Opening Title Sequence is creative.
Evil: My biggest gripe is Matt not wearing his suit until the sixth episode. I know he donned it in the Season Premiere, but not seeing him in the outfit until five episodes later eats a chunk of the first half of Season 1.
Episode 1 – Heaven’s Half Hour
Pre-Opening Credits start strong. One heck of an Opening Scene. Arguably my favorite part of Season 1.
A crucial moment will make you gasp. To be honest, I did not see that coming.
A coffee scene pays homage to “Heat.”
Fisk officially becomes the new mayor. Thus, a storyline commences.
Episode 2 – Optics
Matt dukes it out with thugs.
White Tiger/Hector Ayala makes his official MCU debut. He’s accused of killing a cop during a fight against thugs. So, Matt takes on a case defending the superhero as his client.
Now officially the mayor, Fisk partakes in illegal activities so can earn public trust. Meanwhile, he and Vanessa visit a marriage counselor. Guess who’s the therapist?
During his lunch break, Fisk has a funny moment.
Matt engages in combat.
Episode 3 – The Hollow of His Hand
Matt partakes in a pretty intense courtroom case regarding Hector’s legal status.
Last scene shows a familiar logo. If you know, you know.
Episode 4 – Sic Semper Systema
Matt visits an “old friend.” I won’t say who he is, but it’s a dramatic conversation.
One guy said, “I’m not supposed to be here!” A possible “Clerks” reference. Which is Dante Hicks’ catchphrase. It’s funny because Kevin Smith wrote a Daredevil storyline, “Guardian Devil.”
Fisk has a funny moment when he’s forced to hear children sing a song. That’s what happens when you’re a mayor obligated to make public appearances.
Daniel makes a boo boo.
A serial killer’s introduced.
Episode 5 – With Interest
This episode involves Matt caught in a bank robbery as a hostage. Reminds me of “Dog Day Afternoon” & “Inside Man.” Matt teams up with Yusuf Khan. The father of Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan.
Kamala’s brought up. Yusuf claims she’s out of town. A darn shame her Disney Plus mini-series, cinematic debut in “The Marvels” and Square Enix’s Avengers video game are all stinkers. Kamala’s basically the Rodney Dangerfield of Marvel. Why? Because she gets not respect.
Although Mr. Cox dislikes this episode, I thought it was pretty good.
Episode 6 – Excessive Force
After five episodes lacking a suit, it’s about damn time Matt gets his act together. He goes on a rescue mission to save a girl from a serial killer.
Fisk hires corrupt cops to track down the serial killer.
A legit fight scene intercutting between Daredevil & Fisk’s separate battles. Their combat styles reflect their backstories and personalities. One’s a highly trained martial artist whose no killing rule is rooted from his Catholic upbringing. Matt represents good who seeks justice protecting people from criminals when he’s not working as a lawyer. Fisk was raised by an abusive father. Unlike Matt, he killed his own father. He grew up to become a powerful crime boss obsessed with order and control. Fisk’s combat style is raw like a predatory animal. Most notably, a bear. Fisk represents evil bribing people, ordering henchmen to do his dirty work and brutally killing with his own hands. Somebody give the editor a raise for intercutting the fight scenes.
Episode 7 – Art for Art’s Sake
The serial killer’s true identity is revealed.
Daredevil squares off with the serial killer yet again.
Somebody meets his or her end.
Vanessa displays a part of herself.
Episode 8 – Isle of Joy
A Plot Twist changes everything. In the words of M. Night Shyamalan. “What a twist!”
A focal character makes a return.
Matt attends Fisk’s gala.
One individual becomes “target practice.”
Episode 9 – Straight to Hell
Something blows up in epic proportions.
Familiar faces guest star.
Fisk further rises to power. Daredevil’s mission to put an end to his archenemy ain’t over til it’s over.
Stay tuned for a Mid-Credits Scene.
Season Finale’s title is named after a song by The Clash.
The Final Verdict: A-
Despite one nitpick over a lack of Daredevil’s suit, I thought Born Again’s first season kept me invested. I’m glad Marvel & Disney Plus brought back one of my favorite Marvel superheroes. I cannot wait to watch Season 2. If you’re not caught up, watch Season 1 immediately.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 