Movie Review: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

NOTE: NO spoilers in this review (avoid looking at the cast list to keep it that way).

Spider-Man Feels Alone

“Just because we’ve lost someone… It doesn’t mean we have to do this alone. I mean we can’t. Trust me, I’ve been trying. It doesn’t work.”

This quality epic superhero film series continues hitting all the emotional notes, awesome action, and “amazing” storylines among high-stakes scenarios. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a great film, the ninth live-action Spider-Man feature film from Sony, and the 38^th in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Tom Holland headlines his fourth feature film as Peter Parker / Spidey, the friendly neighborhood superhero created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, who’s still reeling from losing his close family member in the previous 2021 installment, No Way Home.

Brand New Day aims high and hits the mark with returning cast members plus Sadie Sink and the stellar crew led by director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Cretton, the stunt crew, and effect team excel at blending the visuals to create heart-pounding, realistic action sequences while taking the time to let characters deliver extended dialogue at key moments.

Peter Parker Faces Loss and Loneliness

Set four years after the events of No Way Home, the two hour and 24-mite film finds Peter encountering enormous weight, figuratively and literally. The narrative structure could come to a possible resolution in 90 minutes, but instead adds a satisfying side mission and even a coda that elevates the entertainment. Screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers (Avengers: Doomsday) return to create this strong screenplay.

It may not be surprising that someone as unique and talented as Peter Parker feels lonely. This state creates the emotional pull where characters who feel like they “aren’t enough” learn that they are loved for who they are.

Peter’s former close friends, MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon), are replaced to an extent in this story with Peter’s work associates, including Yelena Belova, a.k.a. Black Widow, (Florence Pugh) and The Punisher, a.k.a. Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal).

I would like to see MJ get more character development (a quick sequence at an apartment party helps), but she’s mostly functioning as a conduit/love interest for the key plot twist. It’s similar with Ned at some level. MJ’s very good at no-nonsense analysis, ethics, and logic. Ned actively pursues his connection with Spider-Man so much that the “obsession” produces some physical tech due to his considerable intellect and talents.

Michael Mando (Spider-Man: Homecoming) returns as Scorpion while other notable character appearances include Tombstone (Marvin Jones III) and martial artist Xiaoshuang Fan as Snow, the leader of a group of young ninjas called the Hand.

Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) initially helps fill this void the best as NYPD detective Jean DeWolff.

Eventually, Frank and Peter’s challenging relationship evolves into something special. The actors have great chemistry playing two men shaped by great personal loss, some dark mirroring, and a big brother/little brother dynamic that adds some comic relief. Be sure to check out the real-life story behind Bernthal and Holland’s Marvel audition tapes on location in Ireland.

Mark Ruffalo reprises his role as now-college-professor Bruce Banner/Hulk who, like MJ, doesn’t get much character development, but has an important function in the plot. Tramell Tillman portrays William “Bill” Metzger, the head of the Department of Damage Control (DODC), Naomi Watts replaces Dawn Michelle King as Peter’s AI assistant, and Olivia Booth-Ford portrays Sara.

Being Special Means More Than Having Powers

Sadie Sink gets to deliver the best and most important dialogue to Peter at the film’s climax:

My sister[‘s] … only crime was that she was special. Just like you. Just like me. People like us don’t get to live a normal life. We don’t get to have friends or family. Those people are gone. That life is over. So why don’t you just be honest with yourself? Are you Peter Parker? Or are you Spider-Man?

Another character then soon provides an important and extremely hopeful moment:

“You are a really special person. And I would hope that that will make you feel really great about yourself, but I know sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes you’ll be really lonely. And sometimes, because you’re special, people can do dark and monstrous things to you. But this is what I want you to know: You’re beautiful, and the people who love you, they love you not because you’re special, we love you because you’re you. Remember that even when it feels like you’re totally alone. That’s your deepest responsibility. Never forget that, no matter how powerful you become.”

The Spider-Man: Brand New Day soundtrack mix of alternative rock, psychedelic pop, classic R&B/disco, Latin music, hip-hop, electronic/ambient music, and mainstream pop perfectly reflects the loneliness, romance, nostalgia, humor, and life in contemporary New York. Tame Impala’s current hit, “Loser,” is featured prominently as Peter makes his way to a party, while “Party in the U.S.A.” provides a deliberately recognizable music moment. Other recognizable music placements include “EoO” by Bad Bunny and “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan.

The soundtrack is further bolstered by the alternative-rock infused “Wolf Like Me” by TV on the Radio and Latino showcase “Dame Tu Amistad” by Dominique Patrick Noel, Hector Luis Pagan, Eduardo Padua and Eddie Montalvo. “Fire for You” by Cannons and “Monopoly” by Monetochka enhance the film in unique ways, while the filmmakers also include the original “Theme from Spider-Man.”

Michael Giacchino’s orchestral score has 26 tracks and runs about 77 minutes total. Titles such as “Peter’s Walk of Shame,” “The Speed of Thought,” “The Morning Aftermath,” “Big Sister Energy,” “Fight the Hand That Bleeds You,” and “Suite New Day” build around Peter’s personal transformation.

This highly recommended film (***1/2 out of four stars) is packed with entertaining elements (e.g., the “Spidey Tracker” app) amid the nonstop action. It’s rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and some language. Look for an Oscar nomination for best visual effects (and hopefully more). Watch for the bonus sequence after the end credits.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is available now on digital release, then on Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD on December 15, 2026.