Picking up right after Daredevil: Born Again’s first season, Matt Murdock continues his quest to stop Mayor Wilson Fisk’s criminal activities. However, he’s hunted down by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force or ATVF under Fisk’s orders. This makes it difficult for Matt as his public identity labels him as a missing person. Matt must face obstacles standing in his way if he wants to expose Fisk’s illegal occupations.
All seven episodes of Daredevil: Born Again’s second season are now streaming on Disney Plus. It received praise from critics, fans and streamers alike. A third season is currently in development. Anyway, I’ve decided to do a double review on Born Again’s second season and The Punisher’s one hour special, “One Last Kill.” Think of it as a double album like OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” I’m really excited to see “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” It’s coming out in July 31, 2026. That’s my birth month. Don’t forget to stream One Last Kill.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Good & Evil Asepects
Good: Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Michael Gandolfini, Tony Dalton & Deborah Ann Woll reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences are brutal and not for the faint of heart.
The Newton Brothers orchestrated the soundtrack.
Practical and Visual Effects were blended perfectly.
The Tone takes cues from Frank Miller’s run.
Daredevil’s black suit is taken from the 2010 comic book storyline, “Shadowland.”
Viral videos mocking Fisk’s activities with a person wearing a crude mask of him is a reference to a real life international hacktivist group, Anonymous. Members wear a Guy Fawkes mask like main character from “V for Vendetta” who launch cyberattacks on governments, agencies and the Church of Scientology.
Primary Themes are Power, Trauma, Corruption, Manipulation & Justice. Each one’s handled maturely.
A few twist and turns change the trajectory of the series.
Evil: My one complaint is in fact, Bullseye’s characterization. In the comics, he’s a psychotic killer. He’s slightly nicer in the show.
Episode 10 – The Northern Star
Daredevil infiltrates a cargo ship smuggling weapons.
An old foe makes a return.
Mr. Charles joins Fisk’s operation.
Episode 11 – Shoot the Moon
Fisk orders the AVTF to hunt down Daredevil. Plus, he does something brutal. They also raid a business.
Angela Del Toro seeks an amulant.
Episode 12 – The Scales & the Sword
Jack Duquesne/The Swordsman has a trial.
Daredevil embarks on a stealth mission.
After her encounter with Muse, Heather struggles to move past trauma.
Episode 13 – Gloves Off
Fisk partakes in a charity boxing event.
A diner scene was savage and legit.
One scene will make you gasp. I cannot tell you all about it. You’ll have to see for yourself. Honestly, I did not see that coming from a mile away.
Episode 14 – The Grand Design
Flashbacks of the everyday lives of Matt & Fisk prior to Netflix’s pilot episode.
Matt faces a difficult decision regarding the current state of vigilantes hunted by the AVTF.
A crucial moment will make your jaw drop.
Episode 15 – Requiem
A riot escalates.
An old ally of Matt seeks help.
Daredevil & Fisk have an intense confrontation.
Episode 16 – The Hateful Darkness
Matt comes to the rescue.
Somebody gets annihilated.
Blake faces a difficult choice.
A villain is given a reintroduction.
Episode 17 – The Southern Cross
A pivotal trial ensues.
The climactic battle ended on an emotional high note.
A familiar face makes a cameo appearance.
Last scene sets up Season 3.
Season 2’s Final Verdict: A-
The Punisher: One Last Kill
Now onto the next one. A prelude to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Frank Castle struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder over the loss of his loved ones. He’s confronted by a woman named, Ma Gnucchi. The matriarch of a crime family Frank annihilated every single son she’s lost. Ma swears revenge towards him. With a bounty on his head, Frank returns as The Punisher.
Strong & Weak Aspects
Strong: Jon Bernthal reprises his role as the titular character. He did an excellent job for his performance. A darn shame Mr. Bernthal didn’t get a solo Punisher film. He deserves a gritty grounded story with no superheroes interfering like Joaquin Phoenix’s “Joker.”
Judith Light (Elizabeth Donnelly from Law and Order: SVU) did a decent job for her performance as Ma Gnucchi.
Action Sequences are brutal as Daredevil.
Cinematography’s shot in condition.
Pacing didn’t feel boring. I was hooked.
One Last Kill loosely borrows elements from the comic book storyline, “Welcome Back, Frank.”
Weak: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving the cast and crew an Extra Point for making a flawless one hour special as possible.
One Last Kill’s Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Both Daredevil: Born Again’s second season and The Punisher: One Last Kill are brilliant from start to finish. If you’re gearing up for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, watch ‘em both on Disney Plus.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 