‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ delivers the most violent 45 minutes in MCU history and leaves a major door open

It’s neither a movie nor a TV episode, but rather a “special presentation”—yet it’s more than enough for fans of hardcore action to enjoy over 45 minutes of nonstop thrills. Much like the film ‘The Raid’ (2011), ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ features a Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) who seems broken, but who, just when he seemed doomed to despair, finds a reason to continue his work as a vigilante protector.

What is ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ about?

‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ is short, but it manages to show us a Frank on the verge of breaking down and pulling the trigger on his own head—until Ma Gnucci makes her appearance. This notorious villain puts a bounty on our protagonist’s head, and he’s certain that if anyone is going to end his life, it will be himself—not some random thug chasing the Gnucci matriarch’s reward.

The story doesn’t take long to get into full swing—a story where Frank holds nothing back, and where a couple of bullets would have been enough, but he empties an entire magazine. ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ delves deeply into its protagonist’s enduring inner traumas, but it doesn’t shy away from what the audience has come for: the most explicit violence in the MCU. It doesn’t disappoint.

Jon Bernthal proves why he is the Punisher, delivering his best performance yet in the role—and all with barely any dialogue. Furthermore, without giving away any spoilers, and although there is some connection to ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, it is very superficial, while the connection to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’—where he will be a key character—is practically nonexistent, though it does establish a starting point. Thus, it becomes clear why Frank goes from being completely abandoned to resuming his role as an antihero, finding in the protection of the innocent a reason to continue once his revenge is fulfilled during the series’ second season.

This production is based on the 'Welcome, Frank’ story arc from the acclaimed Punisher run by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. When we first heard about this and the Gnucci family’s involvement, we anticipated what would surely be the most violent scene in MCU history, though we’re in for a surprise involving Ma Gnucci that leaves the door open for more Frank Castle-related developments in the future of the Marvel Universe.

‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ is now available on Disney+.

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