At The Movies: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Five years after Peter Parker leaps out of his window as an anonymous hero, he returns to show us how even when the universe forgets who you are, it can’t erase the qualities that make you a hero.
In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Parker (Tom Holland) has embraced life as the friendly neighbourhood superhero in a city that no longer remembers the man beneath the mask. He throws himself into protecting New York and comes up against a mysterious new villain (Sadie Sink) who forces him to confront a web of physical and emotional challenges. Simultaneously, Parker struggles to balance his super-heroics with his human struggles. That’s all you need to know going in, trust me. The joy of this film, and trilogy, is discovering the narrative as it advances in real time, spoiler-free.
In his second directorial venture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Destin Daniel Cretton proves that with great power comes great responsibility. While No Way Home had big shoes to fill following the epic Avengers: Endgame – and did so with its massive casting and narrative – Brand New Day feels more deliberate with its direction. The focus is tighter and more intimate. The action still swings high, but it’s anchored by genuine character moments and development, allowing for an emotionally rich adventure to unfold.
Visually, the film is stunning. Brett Pawlak’s cinematography captures New York as Parker’s playground and prison. Sweeping aerial shots give way to confined alleyways and lonely rooftops, highlighting the superhero’s isolation and anonymity.
Special effects from George Buckleton’s team are exceptional. When paired with the live animation from the visual effects team, it creates jaw-dropping moments. The action sequences are easy to follow and enjoyable to watch. What is impossible in the ‘normal’ world is believable in the MCU. Keep an eye out for a pivotal cage-fight sequence in the latter half of the film where Spider-Man proclaims, “this is cool” as he is about to be pummelled. Never a truer word has been said. It was so cool!
Composer of all three Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, Michael Giacchino, creates a score that blends seamlessly with the narrative. Familiar themes return at the right moments, while new material gives this chapter its own identity.
Writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have progressed Parker’s storyline in a way that goes beyond simply ticking the MCU must-have boxes. Of course, boxes were ticked, including cameos from unexpected MCU characters, but the scope of the narrative is refreshingly character-driven. It weaves superhero spectacle around Parker’s emotional growth instead of the other way around.
Holland delivers a poignant performance with a level of maturity previously not seen. Parker’s awkward charm, which has won the hearts of many viewers, remains, but there’s a quiet exhaustion and wisdom behind the comedy.
Jon Bernthal brings Frank Castle/ Punisher to the big screen for the first time and does a wonderful job. His rapport with Holland is obvious, making for an enjoyable, if somewhat unusual, pairing.
However, it is Sink’s performance as Jean Grey that is by far the stand-out. The Stranger Things alum offers an elevated interpretation of the X-Men founding member’s first live-action foray into the MCU. Captivating from the moment she hits the screen, Sink embodies the character’s tragedy with such believability that it is breathtaking. She is a magnificent new addition to the franchise and will hopefully be seen in more films.
Brand New Day was well worth the wait. It moves beyond the notion of superhero invincibility, tackling themes of isolation, the pain of starting over, and the need for genuine connection. Yet, it remains true to the MCU spectacle we all know and love.
MCU fans already know this, but a friendly reminder from your friendly neighbourhood reviewer: keep watching until the end of the credits.
Movie Review By Anita Kertes
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is out in cinema now.
