I’m not a die-hard Marvel fan, but in 2018, sheer boredom and aimless doomscrolling on Netflix led me to the accidental yet delightful discovery of “Daredevil.” As an avid fan of action movies, this show stood out from other Marvel series. It was dark, gory, raw and authentic. From character development and friendships to the stunts and plotline, the show took its time to establish its universe and characters, providing an immersive experience for viewers.
But almost as quickly as I became a fan of the show, it was canceled.
After “Daredevil’s” cancellation in 2018, Disney reclaimed the streaming rights and announced its revival, “Daredevil: Born Again,” in 2022. I was excited about the new series but also skeptical about how the transition from Netflix to Disney would impact censorship, production quality and casting.
The new iteration finally premiered on March 4, with the first two episodes available to stream. Seeing familiar characters return after seven years was thrilling. It was interesting to watch Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin) reprise their roles and how they navigate the time jump, placing Matt Murdock in a different phase of his life. He has distanced himself from Daredevil, but when Wilson Fisk returns to New York with greater ambitions, Matt is forced to reconsider his stance. An unexpected twist early on in the series alters the entire premise, setting the stage for a new conflict.
I approached the new episodes with zero expectations, and here are my thoughts on the highlights and disappointments of the revival.
Highlights:
A Fresh Start
This series is separate from the original Netflix show. While watching the first series adds depth to the characters, this new installment features a time jump and an unexpected twist that alters the entire premise and throws the audience for a loop. While some fans of the original series may not love this plot twist, it does shift the show’s pace in an interesting way. The combination of old favorites and new characters keeps things engaging.
Acting
The performances have been excellent so far. Whether it’s the returning cast or the new actors, everyone does complete justice to their roles. The chemistry between Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Wilson Fisk (The Kingpin) remains electrifying after all these years. The acting style fits well with the show’s pacing, adding to its intensity.
Storyline
The plot is intriguing. With The Kingpin back in New York and Matt Murdock distancing himself from his Daredevil persona, the stakes feel higher than before. The classic hero-vs-villain dynamic, set years later with new complications, creates strong anticipation for the rest of the season.
Disappointments:
Cinematography
The original Netflix series stood out with its dark, red-toned aesthetic that perfectly matched the gritty Hell’s Kitchen atmosphere. Disney’s version adopts a warmer color palette, which works for some scenes but makes others, such as the daytime interior shots, feel dull in comparison. The change in visual tone sacrifices some of the intense, moody feel that defined the original.
CGI
Disney’s adaptation overuses CGI, and unfortunately, it doesn’t always land well. Whether due to budget changes or creative decisions, some fight scenes suffer from clunky and rushed visual effects that stand out awkwardly. Given Disney’s production standards—WandaVision, Loki and Hawkeye—this was disappointing.
Pacing
The original series took its time to establish the universe and characters while maintaining audience engagement. In contrast, Born Again feels rushed, with the overall season plot moving at a much faster pace. Unlike the Netflix show, where plotlines and subplots unfolded gradually over multiple episodes, this revival often introduces and resolves them within the same episode. For example, Hector Ayala’s courtroom trial spans only a single episode, whereas in the Netflix series, it would have likely been spread out over two to three episodes. That said, this fast pacing might align with the season’s overall arc, so there’s hope it will improve as the story unfolds.
Overall
This revival is neither the best nor the worst continuation of a beloved series. While certain elements that made the Netflix version special seem exclusive to that show, “Daredevil: Born Again” still has plenty of potential. As a longtime fan, I believe some of the magic from the original may be lost, but the new series remains a worthwhile watch — especially for MCU fans.