Daredevil: Born Again Review: Charlie Cox shines in Marvel’s dark and gritty thriller of vigilantes vs corrupt elites saga

Daredevil: Born Again Review

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ continues the story from the Netflix series that ended in 2018. While bringing back familiar characters, it also introduces new ones and takes on a darker tone.

The two episodes made available on the platform deliver a gripping and intense experience. This crime thriller hits all the right notes of a compelling superhero tale, with Matt Murdock’s fearless persona drawing cheers and Wilson Fisk’s sinister schemes evoking disdain.

Murdock vs Fisk, once again

The series opens with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) celebrating at a bar with his best friend and fellow lawyer, Foggy (Elden Henson). Unaware of the danger looming nearby, they are caught off guard when Benjamin Poindexter (Wilson Bethel), aka Bullseye, kills Foggy. Though Murdock manages to overpower Poindexter, he eventually escapes.

Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) re-emerges, setting his sights on the New York City mayoral election. Despite not being the most popular candidate, he defies the odds, wins, and takes office. His wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), has grown into a formidable power broker, managing his illegal operations.

The city plunges deeper into chaos when vigilante Hector Ayala, known as White Tiger, is accused of killing a cop while saving a man at a subway station. Murdock defends him in court, securing a not-guilty verdict. But slowly the city spirals out of control and descends into chaos, and it’s only a matter of time before Murdock and Fisk find themselves on a collision course once again.

A dark and twisted narrative

This season weaves multiple subplots into its gripping storyline. In the beginning of the series, Matt Murdock remains committed to his vow of abandoning the masked vigilante life. However, when corrupt city cops push him into a corner, he is forced to break his oath. The season takes a dark turn as its villains descend further into depravity—Fisk, now mayor, believes himself untouchable. With little room for levity, the plot unfolds at a relentless pace.

Sincere performances elevate the story

The show delivers standout performances across the board. Charlie Cox brings depth to Matt Murdock, excelling in both emotional and action-driven moments. His anger and despair over Hector Ayala’s wrongful implication feel raw and compelling, and his gradual unravelling afterward is masterfully portrayed. Wilson Fisk, long established as a formidable villain, reaches his most chilling and formidable moment when he becomes the mayor of the city. Throughout the series, the performances remain consistently strong, adding to the show’s gripping appeal.

A clash between vigilantes and corrupt elites

This season unfolds as a clash between the city’s vigilantes and the corrupt elite, led by the mayor. Alongside Daredevil, characters like Hector Ayala and (it’s believed) Punisher are intricately woven into the story.

New viewers may find it challenging to grasp the backstory of certain characters, such as BB Urich and Bullseye, or the complexities of some relationships. New York itself is brilliantly portrayed, almost taking on a character of its own, adding to the show’s immersive and gritty atmosphere.

Verdict

As with any superhero show, plausibility takes a backseat—but that’s part of the appeal. Watching a series like this requires suspending disbelief and immersing in its world. What grounds ‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ however, is Matt Murdock’s sharp legal mind, which adds a layer of realism to the narrative. This balance between legal drama and superhero action is one of the show’s greatest strengths. Ultimately, it’s a gripping ride that delivers pure entertainment.

Cast: Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Nikki M James, Ayelet Zurer, Michael Gandolfini, Zabryna Guevara, and Clark Johnson

Directors: Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson

Rating: 4/5 stars

(‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is streaming on JioHotstar)