Really a Fresh Start? Our META Movie Review of Spider-Man: Brand New Day
We'll tell you whether the new adventure starring Tom Holland is a hit – and break down what other critics have to say
Tom Holland once again dons the iconic red-and-blue suit to uphold law and order in New York. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" promises to be the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man's most serious adventure yet. But does the film live up to the high expectations – and what do other critics have to say? We'll tell you all about it in our KinoCheck META review.
What's it about?
Four years after the world-changing events of "No Way Home" and the spell that erased his existence, Peter Parker lives in complete isolation. He now protects New York City as an anonymous, full-time Spider-Man, while his former friends MJ and Ned continue their lives at MIT. When a mysterious new threat emerges and Peter's superpowers suddenly undergo a dangerous, aggressive transformation, his fragile world is finally thrown into chaos.
Too Much All at Once
All in all, the film has been received quite positively by the press. Opinions differ on some aspects, however. It starts with the title: "Brand New Day" promises a radical fresh start (as far as one can say that in the Marvel universe). But even here, opinions are divided. While some critics welcome the changed status quo, others are rather disappointed. We, too, had hoped for more from the anticipated fresh start – though we aren't quite as harsh on the film as David Ehrlich of IndieWire:
"Restless throughout, I didn't get really mad at 'Brand New Day' until near the end, when it comes into focus just how little this sequel has moved the ball down the field in regard to Peter Parker's story."
What we find particularly problematic: The story tries to do too much at once. "Brand New Day" often feels unbalanced, trying to be humorous, dark, dramatic, and calm all at the same time. The film would have benefited from focusing on one or two story elements instead of opening up too many plot threads at once. Especially since, in terms of content, there isn't actually as much at stake in the end as the title suggests. With a runtime of nearly two and a half hours, the whole thing therefore drags noticeably.
The Cast as the Absolute Highlight
What most critics can agree on is the cast's acting prowess. Leading the way is Tom Holland, who delivers his best and most mature Spider-Man performance yet. And, of course, there's Sadie Sink as the mysterious antagonist (about whom we don't want to give anything away here). Just this much: She's a real asset and takes up a huge amount of screen time, especially in the second half of the film. This sometimes makes Spider-Man feel like a supporting character at times. Another strength: the quiet moments. The story really shines with emotional depth, especially when the characters are simply talking to each other. It's particularly in the scenes between MJ and Peter that "Brand New Day" reaches its full potential.
Visual touches evoke nostalgia
Fans of classic Spidey action will also get their money's worth. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who has previously worked on "Shang-Chi" and "Wonder Man" in the MCU, puts his own visual stamp on the film and delivers some of the most creatively shot scenes in the entire series. When Peter swings through New York's urban canyons in a first-person perspective or takes down his opponents in slow motion, it feels a bit like the latest "Spider-Man" video games and the old Tobey Maguire movies. While the CGI varies in quality, it doesn't stand out in a particularly negative way either. YouTuber Chris Stuckmann draws parallels here to "The Amazing Spider-Man 2":
"The swinging scenes are wonderful. They're probably some of the best I've seen since 'Amazing Spider-Man 2'."
Lots of Cameos and the Problem with the Punisher
However, we find the numerous guest appearances less successful. "Brand New Day" once again relies heavily on cameos, but only a few of them actually add value to the plot. Many of them come across more as classic fan service. Some critics see it differently, including Charlie Ridgely from Collider. For him, the cameos fit very organically into the plot:
"They sound like strange fits, but 'Brand New Day' makes their appearances feel natural, much like characters popping up for a few pages in a comic book."
In our opinion, however, the Punisher's appearance is a particularly double-edged sword. Frank Castle certainly provides fun and cool one-liners, but compared to his latest solo adventure, "One Last Kill", he comes across more like a PG-13 version of himself. For Nick Schlager of The Daily Beast, however, the dynamic between Spider-Man and the Punisher was a highlight:
"Fresh off 'The Odyssey', Holland and Bernthal are a well-matched pair. [...] Their bickering is one of many highlights in the film."
Our Verdict
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has received mostly positive reviews, though opinions differ widely on some aspects. Spider-Man fans will definitely be well entertained here. However, anyone expecting a true fresh start for Peter Parker is likely to leave the theater with mixed feelings. Ultimately, "Brand New Day" remains a solid, well-executed MCU entry – no more, no less. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" will be released in theaters on July 31, 2026.
