After making the switch to the MCU and the leap to Disney+, Daredevil has been “born again” with a sequel series. This followup sees Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox) clash with Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) as the identities they left behind begin to re-emerge.
It’s no secret that this season was in a state of disrepair before undergoing some heavy rewrites and reshoots. On top of updates throughout the season, episodes 1, 8 and 9 are entirely new… and you can tell. There’s fantastic stuff throughout the season, but the narrative captured by the bookending episodes is leagues better. They’ve done well to try and weave the stories together, but it is slightly jarring when the middle of the season rarely (if ever) references anything from the bookends, and vice-versa. It is a bit of a nit-pick, because if the alternative is without those elevating episodes, then I’ll take this any day of the week.
Back in its previous life, the series flourished in its exploration of the Batman/Joker relationship that Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk share. To no surprise, that’s when this series is at its best. These are two impressively strong characters who clash and complement each other with their respective approaches to violence. Ample time is dedicated to fleshing them out and showcasing how their recent life experiences have changed them. This leads to extended scenes ‘out of the costume’ so to speak, where dialogue is at the forefront and the series becomes less of an action thriller and more of a political thriller. As a result, it adopts a slower pace through the middle of the season, but it’s all in favour of developing these characters to the point of exhibiting stellar growth come the finale. There’s a number of compelling sequences in court rooms, offices and conference rooms that explore the motives and influence of Fisk and Murdoch. Some of these moments are as tense and gripping as the action sequences, and the only things being thrown are words. The contrast of dialogue to action is wonderfully handled, creating suspense from all angles.
The middle of the season and the bookends each include a different secondary villain to focus on, and frankly the villain encompassing the middle of the season is entirely wasted. The stakes are low and very little time is dedicated to creating an intriguing antagonist. Sure there’s some great setup and the action sequences are enjoyable, but the way the villain is handled makes them entirely forgettable. Thankfully, Kingpin does all of the heavy lifting and makes the fact that the secondary villain is subpar much less of an issue. Despite the gaps in villain quality, one element that’s not hindered is the action. Brutal, bloody, awesome and electrifying, the action is beautifully dark and gritty – the most violent the MCU has seen to date. Additionally, it’s not like every moment is attempting to match the ‘oner’ effect the series is known for. It has its little homages, and they’re fantastic, but the series prioritises letting the characters’ unique fighting styles do all the talking.
As far as performances go, there’s no going beyond the brilliance that is Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio. They’ve played these roles for so long now that they perfectly embody the characters. My use of ‘perfect’ there isn’t an understatement – they each carry their respective scenes and make for especially incredible moments when they share the stage. The duality of their personas is a major theme in the season, and both actors capture the poignant and violent sides of their characters. They both bring out the inner struggle they go through on the daily, and it makes for a compelling watch regardless of whether there’s punches being thrown or not. As far as new additions are concerned, Margarita Levieva shines brightest as Heather, Daredevil’s latest love interest. Her character is more than just a supporting love interest and ties into the wider themes of the season, making her overall arc just as intriguing.
In the end, Daredevil: Born Again is a fantastic return for the man without fear despite being not without its flaws. Its initial narrative woes have been ironed out, but there is a noticeable divide in the new and old content. The new creative team put together bookends for the season that elevated the impact of key moments and have me excited to see where the story goes. For Daredevil fans of old, all the elements you love are in here – the action, atmosphere and performances are on point, making for an experience rich with thrills.
8.8/10
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