Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 – Review

19th April 2025

Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 – Review. By Josiah Teal.

“Requel” refers to a film or series that serves as equal parts reboot and sequel. Sam Raimi has used the term to describe several Evil Dead films. The Scream franchise has had its fair share, and in a franchise-heavy Hollywood, “Requels” and “Legacy sequels” are more than on trend. Enter Daredevil: Born Again. While Disney is no stranger to the sequel and reboot game, Daredevil: Born Again holds a unique place within the MCU. Based on the Netflix series Daredevil, the new series continues Drew Goddard’s vision of a gritty, street-level take on the fantastical Marvel universe. A section of the MCU where influences from Noir films and Oldboy are as likely as influences from the comics themselves. With Charlie Cox, Matt Murdock, and Vincent D’Onofrio returning to the main cast, fans began Born Again with cautious optimism as Disney sought to bring Hell’s Kitchen back to the MCU in more than cameos. (Minor spoilers ahead)

Daredevil: Born Again picks up years after the season 3 finale of Daredevil. Nelson & Murdock Attorneys at Law are prepping for another case and ready to do a little pre-celebration at the local pub. But just as the celebration begins, everything is cut short when a familiar assassin attacks the bar—Daredevil & Bullseye battle in a seamless long-take, leaving plenty of carnage in their wake. As the battle closes, police arrest Bullseye, Foggy Nelson lies dead, and Matthew Murdock breaks his one rule: he tries to take a life. The series picks up weeks later as Murdock tries to piece his life back together after losing his best friend. Yet finding closure in Foggy’s death becomes more complex as Murdock must navigate his identity and accept the newly elected mayor of New York: Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio).

As Born Again continues, the series features mini-arcs more than standalone episodes, each featuring new challenges and perspectives on the larger conversation of vigilantism, identity, corruption, and loss. The White Tiger arc plays like a courtroom drama, the Muse arc is like a serial killer thriller, and the finale builds toward the overall story of Murdock and Fisk, remaining true to the identities forged in Drew Goddard’s original series. “With Interest” showcases an exciting take on the heist genre. “Optics” comments on the alt-right hijacking of the Punisher logo. And “Straight to Hell” sets up the coming war between Fisk and Murdock. Prior knowledge of the original series is a nice bonus for fans, but non-MCU devotees can step in without prior knowledge and still enjoy every bit of the series.

Performances in Born Again center around the two leads: Cox and D’Onofrio. Charlie Cox stepping back into the role of Matt Murdock feels like a good omen for the future of the MCU as the global franchise enters its fifth phase. Cox brings his usual vulnerability and remorse to the role, while continuing to bring plenty of heart to the “Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.” Vincent D’Onofrio brings gravitas to the role he made iconic, playing a now politically charged Kingpin. Each actor masterfully plays off the other, building the tension between the two adversaries as the series progresses. While each arc contributes to the larger story, Born Again is a pure character study of Murdock and Fisk, and the masks they wear.

The supporting cast features several standouts, matching the intensity of Cox and D’Onofrio well and rounding out each arc. The late Kamar de los Reyes is outstanding as Hector Ayala/White Tiger, delivering some of the most emotional beats of the series. Michael Gandolfini follows in his father’s footsteps, lending the perfect amount of chasmic sleaze to the eager Fisk intern, Daniel Blake. Ayelet Zurer adds layers to Vanessa Fisk, The Wire alum Clark Johnson is a great semi-jaded P.I. and cameos from Jon Bernthal are always welcome (especially when he’s going full Frank Castle). Genneya Walton adds tons of realism to the series with the addition of BBNews, a documentary-style broadcast that interludes with the major arcs of the series. Walton, as BB, brings a journalistic flair to the role, setting up major promises for season 2.

Those expecting the same level of brutal action from 2015’s Daredevil may find a little less brutality, but still plenty of stakes. All the action in Born Again is purpose-driven and focuses on the internal choices as he wrestles between being the protector and his own thirst for violence. The opening fight with Bullseye is incredible, displaying showrunner Dario Scardapane’s commitment to the original series. While the reveal of the Muse’s identity is predictable, each fight sequence is fluid and mesmerizing, adding to the eeriness of the killer. In addition to the martial arts action, Born Again wears Noir tropes in every frame, pairing action with emotional character studies between kicks and punches.

Born Again fits nicely into the MCU and fills a need for a more adult-centered, gritty hero. It’s a worthy continuation of Goddard’s work and honors the legacy of Daredevil played out in comics over the decades. Performances continue to amaze as Cox and D’Onofrio lead the cast in prestige TV-worthy character arcs. Daredevil fans will find plenty to enjoy in the familiar street-level superhero fights. In contrast, those new to the character will find an engaging story of law & order in a world of vigilantism. Clear comparisons to real-life ground the series, yet connections to the broader MCU and original series feel organic to the narrative. Born Again walks a tightrope all requels tread, but does so with style. Needle drops like “Staring at the Sun” by TV on the Radio and “The Rocky Road to Dublin” by Young Dubliners do not go unnoticed as the series brings stylish, modern crime-film influences to a franchise of Infinity Stones and 27-film arcs. The finale sets up a climactic season 2 and a biblical showdown between Fisk and Murdock. Daredevil: Born Again is a must-see TV for MCU disciples and prestigious TV gurus.

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