REVIEW: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Swings the MCU Into a Bold New Era

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Taking over from Jon Watts, Cretton guides Spider-Man’s next chapter with seamless action, more web-slinging, and a darker, more mature tone. The film finds Peter four years removed from the fallout of Spider-Man: No Way Home. MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) have graduated from MIT, while Peter has isolated his civilian identity from the rest of the world. Instead, he has devoted himself to helping the police lower the crime rate in New York City. But that isolation has consequences Peter is not prepared for. When his arachnoid hormones begin to overtake his human ones, Peter faces an internal battle he does not know how to win. With help from Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), he attempts to control the imbalance with an inhibitor similar to the one Banner uses to manage his Hulk side. But with great power comes great responsibility, and in the wrong hands, that inhibitor can have serious consequences. Naturally, it ends up with the film’s villain. Played by Sadie Sink, the character is complicated in all the best ways and unlike any foe Spider-Man has faced before.

In his first venture into Spider-Man’s world, Cretton creates a film that feels darker and more grown-up than its predecessors. This is not just a Spider-Man movie; it is a Peter Parker movie. The story centers on loneliness and the consequences of shutting yourself off—not only for yourself, but for the people around you. Across the first three films, we watched Peter navigate typical high school problems while balancing his life as Spider-Man. Here, Parker is four years older, isolated, and trying to disappear into his Spider-Man persona. At its core, this is a movie about finding oneself, a theme that resonates with anyone in their early twenties. That focus does not stop with Peter; it also drives Sink’s story.

Cretton’s cinematography helps the audience feel more immersed in Peter’s story. From riding over his shoulder as he swings through New York to the carefully staged stunt work, each shot adds a sense of depth that was not as prominent in the previous films. My only real criticisms are the occasional overreliance on VFX and the repeated use of slow-motion shots. When either is used too heavily, the audience can be reminded that the world on screen is artificial. More live-action emphasis would have made certain moments feel more grounded, keeping viewers absorbed in the story rather than pulled out of it.

That said, Holland gives a terrific performance. After three solo films, it would be easy to assume he might feel tired of the role, but Brand New Day proves why audiences need more time with him as Peter Parker. Holland brings an enduring likability to a character that could have started to feel familiar by now. Instead, his performance—paired with Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers’ screenplay—feels fresh. Together, they revitalize Peter Parker and create a genuine desire to see and learn more about him. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon have smaller roles this time, but they remain essential to the story. Both characters contribute to Peter’s emotional arc in meaningful ways. Zendaya gives MJ the longing the role requires, while Batalon delivers every line with easy comedic timing.

Jon Bernthal enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Frank Castle, “The Punisher.” First introduced in the Netflix series, Bernthal reprises the role here and brings a welcome amount of humor. His blunt, no-nonsense approach plays perfectly against Holland’s earnest, boy-scout energy, adding levity to a film that could otherwise have felt almost too dark. Last but certainly not least is Sadie Sink. Without revealing too much, Sink delivers one of the film’s strongest performances. Her ability to portray her character’s constant internal struggle translates beautifully on screen. I will not say much more about her role, but I will say this: the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in good hands with Sink.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day lives up to its title. Cretton has created something that feels different from anything that came before it. Like Spider-Man: No Way Home, this story does more than give Spider-Man a new beginning; it helps set the stage for the next saga of the MCU. Now, if only we did not have to get through Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars to get there.

Grade: A