Daredevil: Born Again Premiere

The first two episodes of the much-anticipated Disney+ series have finally dropped. Following the cancellation of the widely beloved Netflix show after merely three seasons, many fans–myself included–wondered if we would ever return to the gritty, dark corners of Hell’s Kitchen. I was cautiously optimistic when this reboot was announced, judging by the studio’s poor track record when it comes to any property these days. But from what I have seen so far, I am happy to say that I have faith in this nine-episode season. But is it still the Devil you know?

In short, yes and no. In interviews, it has been made clear that this series shows these characters in a different place. Casual audiences should know that while these characters have appeared in other series (The Defenders, Echo, and She-Hulk), Netflix’s Daredevil show is required viewing as this one cannot be watched in a vacuum. I will tread lightly in this spoiler-free review, but suffice to say that within the opening minutes, the world of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is forever changed when an old villain shatters it in one fell swoop. One year later, the blind lawyer is more cynical after giving up the cowl and shedding his vigilante side. Now he fights his battles in the courtroom, putting away the guilty and defending the innocent. Of course, this is nothing new when it comes to superhero stories. Spidey famously ditched the spandex during an identity crisis. Superman gave up his powers so that he could focus more on his personal life. If done right, seeing a hero (or vigilante, in this case) stripped of their suit gives the writers an opportunity for character development.

Meanwhile, Daredevil’s arch-nemesis Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is running for Mayor of New York. While some of the voters still recognize him as Kingpin, others are more supportive of the hulking man in white. But the election comes at a cost to his personal life: he now has a strained relationship with his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer). Fisk still shows his darker side when he manipulates the system so that he can become Mayor. Naturally, Matt is highly suspicious of the man’s ulterior motives and confronts him. In what is easily my favorite scene so far, he invites Fisk to a diner, where they sit down and talk over coffee. Both men know each other’s alter egos, and Murdock is unconvinced that this man has good intentions for the city and its residents. Likewise, Fisk doubts that the lawyer has completely given up his “darker nature”.

In interviews with the cast and showrunner Dario Scardapane, they have promised that this new series will be even more violent than the popular Netflix one. Yes, this reboot certainly delivers enough bone-crunching, bloody, and even shocking violence to earn its TV-MA rating (the equivalent of an R-rating). If you have not gotten the memo yet, Born Again is decidedly targeting adults, and is far from the family fare that Disney has been known for. There is practical stunt work here, with coordinator Philip Silvera returning from the Netflix show to give fans more of the excellent fight choreography. That said, there is a pretty clear difference here: there is a heavier reliance on CGI, resulting in a less visceral feel. Also worth noting is that it is filmed using digital camera work, giving it a cleaner look than the Netflix series.

Some have criticized the lack of Daredevil early on in this series, although I am sure that this will change. Others may not appreciate the deliberate slow burn present here. But it is necessary to develop these characters–both old and new–before throwing them headfirst into the action. This strategy makes the fight scenes and violence feel earned, with people that you care about involved. The return of Cox and D’Onofrio are welcome ones, with familiar faces Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll reprising their roles as well. While we have yet to see him, fan-favorite Jon Bernthal is also set to appear as The Punisher. This reboot, named after Frank Miller’s famous comic, is a mostly welcome return to form, and here’s hoping that it continues to meet and exceed our expectations. The showrunners and writers have succeeded in resurrecting the titular character.

First two episodes now streaming on Disney+.

Rated TV-MA