Spider-Man: Brand New Day Film Review

It's a brand new day for Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

From its opening moments, Spider-Man: Brand New Day wastes little time reminding audiences why Spider-Man remains one of cinema's most entertaining superheroes. The action sequences are highly entertaining and visually addictive, packed with moments that genuinely leave audiences in awe.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton proves he understands exactly how to film a character as flamboyantly agile and swift as Spider-Man. His direction is tight and confident, bringing his own flair and style to the world of Spider-Man while still feeling familiar in all the right ways. The web-swinging, in particular, evokes the kinetic energy of The Amazing Spider-Man films, while the cinematography consistently elevates every movement through New York. The fight choreography is stunning, perfectly crafted around Spider-Man's unique abilities while giving every encounter its own visual punch.

Plot-wise, however, the film is very much on the nose. There isn't a deeper or more intricate mystery unfolding beneath the surface; everything is straightforward and to the point. We follow Peter Parker as he continues to grapple with the loss of Aunt May and the consequences of losing his identity among those he loves. While themes of loneliness, grief, and belonging remain emotionally effective, they're ultimately placed against a rather thin and obvious story.

Tom Holland delivers his absolute best performance as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. There's an emotional potency to his performance that feels matured after years as the Scarlet Web-Slinger while still retaining the vulnerability that defines Peter Parker. Holland beautifully captures the grief, heart, and self-discovery that Peter experiences throughout the film, making the emotional beats land even when the story around them doesn't always do the heavy lifting.

The following section contains spoilers.

Sadie Sink is Jean Grey, and she delivers one of the film's strongest performances alongside Holland. Her portrayal is emotionally compelling and feels like a genuinely fresh interpretation of Jean compared to previous live-action versions.

What comes as an odd surprise, however, is that her first appearance as the character happens within a Spider-Man film. Her inclusion feels strangely isolated. Beyond Jean and her sister Sarah, there's virtually no indication that a larger mutant population exists. There are no meaningful references to mutants, the X-Men, or the wider implications of Jean's existence. While some may argue that simply introducing Jean Grey is enough, it inevitably raises the question: what was the point of including her here?

I'm sure there will eventually be stronger connections to future X-Men films where Sadie fully embraces the iconic mantle of Jean Grey, but Brand New Day offers little indication of that larger story. Instead, Jean often feels like a setup without a payoff.

The film also falls into a familiar Marvel formula. Once again, we're given a corporate leader who presents himself as the hero before being revealed as the true villain, manipulating powers or technology while painting someone else as the real threat.

Tramell Tillman's William Metzger ultimately feels like a safe placeholder rather than a memorable Spider-Man antagonist. We've seen this type of villain many times before, and it isn't particularly exciting here either. The story uses him largely as a vehicle to introduce Jean Grey and further hint at Damage Control's growing influence without meaningfully exploring either.

One relationship the film absolutely gets right is Spider-Man and the Punisher.

This pairing works exactly as expected. The two are complete opposites while remaining committed to the same goal of protecting others. Their vastly different methods create some of the film's funniest and most engaging moments, and Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal share outstanding chemistry. Together, they deliver some of Brand New Day's most entertaining scenes.

Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner and the Hulk, and while his screen time is appropriately limited, it once again feels as though Marvel still doesn't quite know what to do with either character. His appearance largely serves another "Hulk goes rogue after a telepathic attack" scenario before quickly moving him off the board. It feels more obligatory than necessary.

Florence Pugh's Black Widow is, as always, a welcome presence, but she also feels somewhat random within the story. Her appearance functions more as a loose bridge to the wider MCU than as something essential to Spider-Man's journey. It almost feels as though the film intentionally avoids anchoring itself too deeply to future storylines, leaving room for potential changes down the line.

Zendaya's MJ is used just enough, and she slips back into the role effortlessly. Jacob Batalon's Ned, however, feels disappointingly underutilized. For a character who has consistently brought so much humour, warmth, and life to this franchise, it feels like a missed opportunity.

The biggest disappointment, however, is how little the film embraces Spider-Man's own world.

Early in the film, a montage shows Spider-Man battling several recognizable comic villains, but none remain long enough to become meaningful antagonists. Michael Mando's Scorpion appears, but he's reduced to little more than a brief obstacle rather than becoming the formidable villain fans have waited years to see.

Spider-Man possesses one of the richest supporting casts and greatest rogues' galleries in comics, rivalled only by Batman. Yet Brand New Day barely scratches the surface. Four films into this series, where are Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn, Oscorp, Eddie Brock, the symbiote, or Black Cat? The possibilities are endless, yet the film consistently chooses the safest path. Instead of feeling like the definitive Spider-Man story many hoped for, it often feels restrained.

The third act ultimately proves anticlimactic, leading to a rather flat ending that could have been incorporated naturally into the film instead of functioning primarily as setup for Peter's inevitable reunion with his friends. What's even more disappointing is that the film doesn't reward audiences with a particularly exciting tease for what's next. Rather than setting up the X-Men or another major development, the post-credit material offers little beyond the obvious confirmation that Spider-Man will return.

Final Verdict

In the end, Spider-Man: Brand New Day isn't a bad film—it simply isn't the Spider-Man film many, myself included, were hoping for.

Its greatest strengths are Tom Holland's career-best performance, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Destin Daniel Cretton's confident direction, exhilarating action, and gorgeous cinematography. Those elements carry the film through what is otherwise a lacklustre story.

Where it falters is in its reluctance to fully embrace Spider-Man's expansive world. Its underuse of beloved characters, omission of much of Spider-Man's iconic supporting cast and rogues' gallery, and a story that rarely rises above being straightforward leave the film feeling surprisingly safe for a fourth entry.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is entertaining, emotionally sincere, and visually spectacular—but it stops just short of becoming the truly great Spider-Man film it had every opportunity to be.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Marvel Studios and Sony’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters worldwide on July 31.

CREDITS:

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers

Producers: Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, Rachel O'Connor

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo

Cinematography by: Brett Pawlak

Edited by: Nat Sanders, Gina Sansom, Harry Yoon

Music by: Michael Giacchino

Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pascal Pictures

Distributed by: Sony Pictures

— Rayano Riley

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