Disney+ - Daredevil Returns: Born Again Proves Marvel’s Best Stories Are on the Streets, Not in Space

By Mulder, 05 march 2025

Daredevil's return in Born Again is both a rebirth and a rallying cry, a brutal and uncompromising reminder of why this character remains one of Marvel's most fascinating. In a landscape where the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) seems increasingly bloated and aimless, Born Again cuts through the noise with precision, offering a street thriller that doubles as a character study, a political allegory and a brutal action epic. It's a series that doesn't just exist, it wants to send a message.

At the heart of it all is Charlie Cox, who takes on the role of Matt Murdock as if he had never left it. There is an ease to his performance, a quiet confidence in his physique and his interpretation that shows how intimately he understands this character. We see a Matt Murdock who is, in many ways, more broken than ever. He is haunted, not only by the sins of his past, but also by the ever-present specter of Wilson Fisk, played with masterful menace by Vincent D'Onofrio. These two actors are a gift to the genre, their chemistry so electric that even a simple conversation between them crackles with tension. A single dinner scene, where civility barely conceals old wounds, has more gravity than a dozen battles loaded with computer-generated images in recent Marvel films.

The premise of Born Again is deceptively simple: Matt has renounced his Daredevil persona following a devastating attack at Josie's bar, while Fisk, recently reinstated in New York's political and criminal spheres, prepares his ascent to power. But if this seems familiar, what sets Born Again apart is its willingness to remain in the shadows. This is not just a superhero series, but a slow-burning crime drama, a reflection on power, corruption and morality. Fisk's mayoral campaign is eerily prescient, drawing uncomfortable parallels with real-world political figures who use fear and brute force as tools of control. The way he manipulates the public, using populist rhetoric to justify his authoritarian measures, feels less like a comic book fantasy and more like a cautionary tale from today's headlines.

The series' commitment to grounded reality goes beyond its political subtext. The action sequences show careful stunt work and choreography, particularly a harrowing bank heist in episode five where Matt is forced to manage a crisis without revealing his true identity. The brutality remains intact (bone-crunching fights, visceral close combat), but it is never gratuitous. Each fight has its importance, each injury lingers, reinforcing the idea that Matt is not an invincible avenger, but a man who bleeds, who struggles, who suffers.

One of the most daring choices in Born Again is the sparing use of Daredevil's costume. While this may frustrate fans expecting non-stop action, it ultimately serves the deeper themes of the series. It's a story of identity, of Matt struggling with who he is when he's not hiding behind the mask. His legal battles - particularly his defense of Hector Ayala (played with gravitas by the late Kamar de los Reyes) - are every bit as gripping as his physical confrontations. The courtroom scenes are reminiscent of classic courtroom dramas, depicting a different kind of heroism, one that doesn't rely on fists and acrobatics.

Of course, Born Again is not without its flaws. The first episode takes its time to find its rhythm, and some of the subplots, such as Matt's romance with therapist Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), don't always have the desired impact. Although Margarita Levieva gives a solid performance, her character sometimes seems to have been added as an afterthought, which would have allowed for a deeper emotional resonance. Similarly, the series sometimes juggles too many plots at once, resulting in moments when some narrative arcs seem underdeveloped.

However, these are minor complaints in an otherwise remarkable return. Supporting actors such as Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, Arty Froushan as Buck Cashman and Genneya Walton as BB Urich add layers of complexity, each bringing their own moral ambiguities into Matt's orbit. And then there's the atmosphere: Hell's Kitchen isn't just a setting, it's a character in its own right, pulsing with life, danger and untold stories. The cinematography leans on noir aesthetics, with shadow-drenched alleys and neon-lit streets reinforcing the series' dark tone. The soundtrack, which ranges from Jefferson Airplane's We Built This City to haunting orchestral arrangements, further amplifies the mood.

Marvel desperately needed a win, and Daredevil: Born Again delivers. It doesn't try to please everyone. It doesn't give in. It doesn't drown in winks or forced cameos. Instead, it tells a story that is focused, mature and totally captivating. If this is what the future of Marvel on Disney+ looks like, then maybe, just maybe, the golden age of the MCU isn't over yet. Born Again isn't just a revival, it's an awakening. And boy, does it feel good to have Daredevil back.

Synopsis :
Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with extraordinary abilities, fights for justice through his bustling law firm. Meanwhile, former Mafia boss Wilson Fisk pursues his political ambitions in New York. As their old identities resurface, the two men head towards an inevitable confrontation...

Daredevil: Born Again
Created by Dario Scardapane, Matt Corman, Chris Ord
Based on Marvel Comics
Showrunner : Dario Scardapane
Starring Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, Ayelet Zurer, Kamar de los Reyes, Jon Bernthal
Theme music composer : The Newton Brothers
Executive producers : Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Matt Corman, Chris Ord, Dario Scardapane, Chris Gary, Sana Amanat, Brad Winderbaum, Louis D'Esposito, Kevin Feige
Producer : Rudd Simmons
Cinematography : Hillary Fyfe Spera, Pedro Gómez Millán
Editors : Cedric Nairn-Smith, Melissa Lawson Cheung, Stephanie Filo
Production company : Marvel Television
Network : Disney+
Release March 4, 2025 – present
Running time : 48–59 minutes