Daredevil: Born Again Series Review (Season 1)

When Marvel first broke into the streaming scene in the mid-2010s, Daredevil was by far the most popular character of the bunch. With three seasons under his belt, the fans were clamouring for a comeback. Following a long process and creative rethink, Daredevil: Born Again has arrived. For the most part, it’s a welcome return that plays to the character’s strengths.

Many years after the events of Daredevil: Season 3, a sudden tragedy rocks Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and those close to him. He grows despondent over his double life as an attorney and the masked vigilante Daredevil. When Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) runs a successful campaign to become the mayor of New York, Matt heads back into action while contending with other vigilantes along the way. Born Again is all about the breaking and re-forging of its central character; this is made very clear in the opening credits much of the series, though the story opens in a very rushed manner. It was designed for shock value and tosses out many elements that should have picked up where Daredevil’s third season left off. Luckily, the series gets a lot better as it goes on; the sinister serial killer Muse is a new threat to both Matt’s friends and Wilson’s mayoral term and some set pieces make a solid impression. Murdock willingly ventures into a tense bank heist to stop the armed gunmen without changing into the horned red costume. The focus is kept on the main character without lessening the impact; Born Again doesn’t shy away from the gritty tone and brutal violence, maintaining the same feel as the original. The sense of build-up is sustained over all nine episodes.

Duality is key to Daredevil: Born Again and to that end we have two brilliant performances from Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio. Both actors slide back into their roles effortlessly and pull the audience back in. Cox continues to bring an affecting persona to the character of Daredevil; with so many enemies and factors working against him, he still finds a way to come out on top. D'Onofrio’s cold and measured approach to the Kingpin remains as effective as ever. In the same way Daredevil is re-forged, the antagonist also rebuilds his criminal ways. By cutting between these two lead characters, the ensuing conflict feels much more immediate while also drawing out the contrasts. Wilson’s wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) really comes into her own, devising her own cunning schemes. The main characters are on top form. It’s unfortunate that many side characters, especially those from the previous series, receive so little screen-time, but we do get a ferocious team-up in the finale. Matt also pursues a romantic relationship with Heather Glenn (Margareita Levieva) which works fine, but ends up feeling disconnected from wider events by the last episode. With the show being designed as a two-parter, the next season will need to balance out the cast more effectively. Many of Fisk’s personal staff also have room for growth.

Taking place mainly in a single district of the Big Apple, Born Again makes full use of a smaller setting. The use of video content shot by a creator named BB is an interesting choice; often the story will cut to everyday people in Hell’s Kitchen as they react to various events. This weaves in a more community-focused element. One fight scene in the final episode cuts between two different speeds, showing off the varied approaches to combat. A fancy ball ran by Mayor Fisk also shows off some great staging and costume work. Along the way, some vibrant lighting also enters the scene, especially at key moments and flashbacks. Overall, the series sets a firm template for other Marvel shows to follow; it’s a potent mix of courtroom drama, night-time action and character interactions.

Fans can be assured that the return of the man without fear is successful. The greatest strength is how it focuses more on Matt Murdock than it does on Daredevil, a great creative choice that thoroughly enhances the ground-level nature of the story. It’s unfortunate that older elements have been tossed out unceremoniously, but this new tale is one worth watching.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars (Good)