‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’: Marvel finally lets Spider-Man stand on his own

Spider-Man’s journey in the MCU has always been shaped by the people around him. Following the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ Peter Parker is left completely alone, finally shedding everything that had prevented him from becoming the hero he was always meant to be. After a five-year wait, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ brings Tom Holland back in a role he has fully mastered, delivering the most complete version of Spider-Man we’ve seen in the MCU.

Warning: Although I’ll try not to include any spoilers, there are bound to be some details that I simply can’t avoid mentioning.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ takes place four years after the events of No Way Home. Peter Parker is alone—in many ways—and has dedicated himself to being the best superhero New York has ever had. Crime has gone down, and he has become a popular figure among the public and even among the authorities. Despite devoting himself 100% to being a superhero, he’s still grappling with the trauma of Aunt May’s death, as well as the pain of being separated from MJ and Ned, watching them go through college on social media. Peter is weighed down by grief, but everything takes an even more terrifying turn when a mysterious force begins attacking Damage Control—and only Spider-Man can detect it. The stress of work and emotional pain begin to take their toll on him, and all these problems become the catalyst for our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s new adventure. As Peter tries to reconnect with MJ and Ned, the mystery behind the attacks slowly unfolds.

It’s a small cinematic universe after all

One of the strengths of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is the characters Spidey encounters. Spider-Man is no longer just Queens’ neighborhood hero—he now protects all of New York. That broader scope gives the film plenty of opportunities to cross paths with other corners of the MCU, and for the most part, it makes the city feel genuinely interconnected. From characters who don’t appear in the trailers and make surprising cameo appearances, to familiar faces like The Hand and the Hulk. Having Mark Ruffalo back as Dr. Bruce Banner is a great touch, allowing us to see a little more of this character.

However, the character who stands out the most is Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. The chemistry between Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal feels very natural, and it made me want to see a little more of the relationship between the two characters. Plus, it creates that feeling of a team-up straight out of the comics, where you have two heroes doing their own thing for the greater good.

Overall, it all feels like you’re reading a good comic book, where these plot devices and character appearances are there to move the story forward, not to drag it out. In fact, that four-year montage of this Spider-Man becoming a superhero all over again includes appearances from villains who—even though I would have liked to see a little more of them—serve their purpose in shaping the character’s growth. One advantage is that these familiar faces don’t feel like a chore to understand everything that’s happened in the MCU. If you focus on the Spider-Man movies and have a general idea of what’s happened since ‘Avengers: Endgame’, you’re all set. However, not all of these appearances feel equally well-executed. My main complaint is the reason why The Hand appears in the movie. Sure, it’s there to provide the movie with some impressive action scenes, but its presence did make me think of another franchise that’s, in some way, related.

After months of speculation, Sadie Sink’s role is finally revealed—and it doesn’t disappoint. Although her screen time is more limited than I expected, she quickly establishes a character with emotional depth and narrative potential that many recent MCU additions have lacked. Although the reveal of her character was overshadowed by the hype and secrecy, it’s still worth waiting for that moment.

A Brand New Direction

One of the first things I must highlight is Destin Daniel Cretton’s direction. The pacing, the action sequences, and the shots—you can really tell the difference from past Spider-Man movies in the MCU, making everything feel more intimate and, at the same time, more complex. This is particularly evident in Tom Holland’s performance. A decade after debuting in ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ Tom Holland has completely settled into the role. He convincingly portrays both Peter’s newfound maturity and the loneliness that defines this stage of his life. It’s not that the previous films fell short, but I’m really impressed by how well they’ve been used as a solid foundation for further developing the character.

The pacing manages to be quite brisk. For a two-and-a-half-hour movie, every scene is well thought out, and nothing feels superfluous—which is surprising. Likewise, we get some of the best action scenes in the franchise. Many of Spider-Man’s moves as he swings through the city look spectacular, and in a way, they even made me want to play Marvel’s Spider-Man again. On top of that, the fight scenes are well-crafted, make sense, and are incredibly spectacular.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ ultimately delivers the Spider-Man movie many were hoping for. Destin Daniel Cretton’s direction breathes new life into the character while maintaining the foundation Jon Watts built over the years. The film proves that Spider-Man can stand on his own and that, while a handful of cameos help flesh out this version of New York, they no longer function as the emotional crutch Peter once depended on. If this marks the beginning of a new, adult phase for Spider-Man, it’s a step that takes him exactly where he always belonged.

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