Spider-Man is known for many things, one of those being the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. But as much as Spidey has been a hero to many in New York City, there’s also the fact that he needs to take care of himself, as Peter Parker is more than just a superhero. That’s the premise Spider-Man: Brand New Day operates on, and mostly to successful results.
As much as people watch these movies for Spidey and the action, the fourth movie in the decade-long franchise (making it the longest-running Spider-Man era to date) also focuses on the personal relationships and well-being that are innate in people. It makes for a film that checks the boxes on the Spider-Man movie checklist while finding Peter Parker at his most mature and loneliest.
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Peter Parker’s Lonely Superhero Journey
Set years after the events of No Way Home, Brand New Day follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he takes on the responsibilities of being Spider-Man full time. A montage at the start of the film sees Peter really hone in on being NYC’s hero over the years. But as his superhero side flourishes, his personal side squanders. Because of his sacrifice in using the spell, the world doesn’t know who Peter Parker is, including his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon).
As Spider-Man defeats a host of bad guys, he gets updates via Instagram posts about what Ned and MJ have been up to at MIT. Peter slowly inches towards isolation as he neglects his personal life, and it soon starts affecting him negatively with changes to his body. Making matters worse, a mysterious figure enters the scene that gives Spider-Man one of his greatest challenges yet. While the movie has all the big-screen spectacle that’s come to be expected of Spider-Man movies, Brand New Day is focused more on Peter Parker’s journey.
This is his story, one that is rooted in loneliness and grief as he copes with the loss of his relationships with the people closest to him and tries to rebuild from scratch. As such, it brings about one of the most mature takes of Peter Parker on screen to date, aided by an exceptional performance from Tom Holland, who is as strong as ever in the role that made him a global star. This is not the high school Peter we met in the first three movies, but a man whose whole life is slowly being consumed by his superhero side as being Spider-Man clashes with being Peter Parker.
His bright and comedic side is still there, but it’s mixed with this slight darkness in Peter’s refusal to have a life outside of being Spider-Man. It gives the film a unique take and emotional stakes with its themes of loneliness and establishing work-life balance.
But that also means MJ and Ned don’t get as much screen time as they could have had. What scenes we get between the trio are some of the film’s most emotional and fun, as their dynamic and chemistry can bring both laughs and tears, but they feel more relegated to supporting roles. The movie would have benefited from more of these moments because what is here is great.
A Grounded Spider-Man Story
Brand New Day does a lot in terms of story and world-building, especially with the inclusion of figures across the Marvel universe like Frank Castle, Bruce Banner, Sadie Sink’s character (no spoilers here), and other appearances that MCU fans will enjoy. For the most part, they are welcome additions, especially with the fun banter and frenemies relationship between Spider-Man and Frank and Sadie Sink, who is poised to be one of the most talked-about parts of the movie.
But with everything that it has going on, the movie is a decidedly grounded take that keeps both its feet on the ground when Spider-Man isn’t swinging across New York. Brand New Day could have easily fallen into the MCU’s tendency to get lost in cameos, future movie setups, and multiverse tedium, but it reels itself in to keep the focus on Spider-Man and the street-level stakes, or as one character says, small potatoes.
Yes, the MCU lore and revelations dropped here leave tantalizing clues about where the cinematic universe can go next, but Brand New Day circles it back to Peter Parker as it instead leaves its reveals for viewers to decide what it means for the future of the MCU rather than spelling it out.
At this point, the people behind these films know what they are doing. The Spider-Man movies are some of the most consistent in terms of quality in the MCU, and that remains true for Brand New Day. It means it’s both competent but also predictable in a sense that if you’ve seen the past movies, Brand New Day won’t necessarily surprise you. But what is here is fine, and the movie particularly excels in its action set-pieces.
The addition of director Destin Daniel Cretton was a smart choice because he gives the movie a strong dose of adrenaline with Spider-Man’s swings across the city and some of the franchise’s best fight choreography. Special mention goes to Spider-Man’s clash with The Hand, as it is a thrilling spectacle from start to finish with its incorporation of martial arts into the Spider-Man action that comes alive on a big screen.
A Strong Effort With a Relatable Message
When No Way Home premiered in 2021, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime cinematic moment. Brand New Day doesn’t manage to reach those same heights. But it does its job delivering an earnest and introspective character drama set in the Spider-Man universe that shows the perils of being a workaholic and attaching your entire life and worth to your job.
With all the sensation that this movie throws at viewers, the pain but also hope Peter Parker faces are there as he comes to terms with loss and loneliness. The film understands that Spidey’s humanity has always been one of his greatest strengths.
It’s a relatable message, one that can apply to various situations. Even superheroes need friends, or at least a life outside of work. Add to that another strong performance from Tom Holland, slick action scenes, and a surprisingly personal story, and you get a competent film and an entertaining blockbuster that sticks the landing.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is showing in cinemas nationwide.
Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) years after No Way Home as he takes on being Spider-Man full-time, while the world no longer remembers who he is, including MJ (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon).
Spider-Man: Brand New Day was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who brings strong action choreography and pacing to the film, including a standout fight sequence against The Hand.
Yes, though in more limited, supporting roles. Zendaya’s MJ and Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds appear primarily through Instagram updates from MIT, with only a handful of direct scenes alongside Peter.
The film includes appearances from Frank Castle, Bruce Banner, and a character played by Sadie Sink, tying the story loosely into the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe without overwhelming the main plot.
Yes. The film is set years after No Way Home, following the consequences of Peter Parker’s spell that erased the world’s memory of his identity, isolating him from those closest to him.
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