When Daredevil: Born Again resurrected the Marvel hero on Disney Plus last year, one thing was clearly established: This series would be as ruthlessly violent as its Netflix predecessor. It’s delivered and then some, reintroducing Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk and the grim themes that made the superhero crime drama so compelling. While the first season took time building its interconnected storylines up to its climax (and memorable finale), season 2 has an energetic momentum that allows the show to keep its clout and keep you on edge from the first episode to the very end.
Debuting Tuesday night on the streamer, it’s suspenseful, graphic and intelligent, with eight well-knit episodes playing out fluidly like a really long, really good movie.
Before the main credits start rolling in the first episode of the sophomore season of Daredevil: Born Again, a video from street reporter BB Urich (Genneya Walton) paints a picture of what’s happening in the city under Mayor Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Remember when he declared martial law in last season’s finale? Well, it’s all good vibes on camera: New York Born Again is the slogan plastered on posters around Manhattan, and citizens give the mayor a thumbs up. In fact, Fisk’s face is on many of the posters, hanging around town like ornaments, letting people know what a great job he’s doing making NYC safe.
Action happening at night tells a different story, when a black-suited Daredevil — yes, THAT black suit with two red D’s emblazoned on the chest — boards a cargo boat on the river and starts battering its armed guards. Blood splatter flies everywhere (including the screen), broken limbs crack, and the mysterious cargo is revealed: illegal weapons. The first half of episode 1 sets up the entire season with this doomed, sinking ship that Daredevil barely escapes.
We have a politician who turns a band of law enforcement officers into his personal army that targets his enemies, everyday citizens and rebellious “vigilantes” he’s deemed as terrorists. Kingpin is in power, always ready to use fear to instill loyalty, dole out bloody assaults and put people in cages. His Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF) is looking for fugitives like Karen Page and Daredevil, whom he’s publicly named as being responsible for the ship debacle. The bloodthirsty AVTF is hunting for them and anyone who detracts (or distracts) from Kingpin’s agenda.
It’s a treat to watch Daredevil and The Punisher beat people up, and seeing Bullseye’s tricks feeds my affinity for stylish assassins, but the core of this series’ first two seasons is Matt Murdock versus Wilson Fisk, or Daredevil versus Kingpin. There are two people who are always worried about what the other one is up to. Several characters are now in the mix who shake things up this season, including Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard) and the governor of New York, Marge McCaffrey (Lili Taylor). Villains and heroes come from unassuming places — and so does backup.
Jessica’s leap to this reboot opens up so many questions, but this show isn’t about her. The former Defender is here to help, so there’s not much catching up we get to do about what’s been happening in her life since 2019 (when Jessica Jones aired its series finale). Believe me, there are questions. Despite that, it’s good to see someone on Matt’s side when we don’t know Frank Castle’s current whereabouts.
D’Onofrio and Cox bring their undeniable gravitas to the screen once more, with their characters’ complicated dynamic setting the tone. Stunt-work and camera shots show off Daredevil’s nimbleness and sharp auditory skills, along with Kingpin’s brawn.
Yet Deborah Ann Woll, Wilson Bethel (as Bullseye, aka Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter), and Ayelet Zurer (who plays Vanessa Fisk) nail scene-stealing performances that ramp up the narrative’s intensity. There’s a diner sequence involving Bullseye that I haven’t been able to get out of my head, a reminder of how the fight choreography and cinematography in this series complement each character to a tee.
Kick-butt Karen is on a warpath, Vanessa is scheming alongside her husband, and Fisk faces new challenges to his power outside of Matt. That doesn’t mean Kingpin isn’t surrounded by loyalists like Daniel, Buck and Dr. Heather Glenn, whose story arcs take interesting turns. As the tension and action unfold throughout every episode, a lot of people end up hurt, deceived or dead. An unbelievably gruesome season finale is the R-rated delight you expect from Daredevil: Born Again.
Where season 1 dove into Fisk and Matt’s darkest natures, season 2 examines whether redemption and true justice can exist. Pay attention: even Daredevil’s armor reflects the story. The show still has its imperfections; a few minor details about the crime at the center of the plot are inconsistent. And Heather’s storyline gets a little weird, but maybe this will pay off in season 3.
Until then, enjoy wincing at bloody scenes, DIY sleuthing and the jaw-dropping surprises that Daredevil: Born Again serves up in season 2. And if you have time to check out the Marvel shows that were originally on Netflix, I think you’ll appreciate this season, all of its Easter eggs and winks at the MCU even more.
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