The two-episode debut of Daredevil: Born Again kicks off with an intense superhero showdown, instantly reassuring fans that the Daredevil they know and love is back. This revival is a natural continuation of the Netflix series, essentially functioning as an unofficial 4th season by picking up where season 3 ended. Wasting no time, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock is hit with a devastating setback while confronting the shocking return of his arch-nemesis, Wilson Fisk, chillingly portrayed once again by Vincent D’Onofrio. While Born Again doesn’t quite capture all the depth of its predecessor and revisits some familiar story beats, its fresh take on the Murdock-Fisk dynamic ensures it’s still thrilling.
Matt Murdock’s story begins on a rare uplifting note as he shares drinks at Josie’s Bar with his longtime friends, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). However, happiness is never a lasting state for Murdock, and chaos soon erupts with the return of Benjamin Poindexter (Will Bethel), who kills Foggy. This time, Poindexter fully embraces his comic book identity as Bullseye — a ruthless, precision-obsessed assassin who can turn any object into a deadly weapon. His brutal showdown with Daredevil, featuring everything from razor-sharp knives to billiard balls used with lethal accuracy, feels like a comic panel brought to life. The action is made even more gripping by its seamless, single-shot execution.
Watching Murdock lose his best friend after everything they’ve endured is truly heartbreaking. Even more shocking is his attempt to kill Bullseye — especially considering he spared Fisk at the end of season 3. But if anything could drive him to break his deepest moral code, it would be Foggy’s death. Overcome with grief, Murdock leaves Daredevil behind, dedicating himself fully to his role as a compassionate lawyer rather than a vigilante. However, his decision is complicated when Fisk resurfaces — not as the Kingpin of Crime, but as the Mayor of New York.
Credits: Disney+
The fresh dynamic between Attorney Murdock and Mayor Fisk makes Born Again thrilling and unpredictable. The way the first episode sets them on an inevitable collision course? Epic. Usually, we have to wait before Murdock and Fisk share the screen, but this time, the show dives right into their tense rivalry. Their seemingly “civil” dinner conversation is a suspenseful masterclass — so intense it feels like a lit fuse is between them. Miraculously, they refrain from outright violence, instead exchanging subtle yet unmistakable threats while attempting to see the best in each other. The idea of a convicted felon rising to political power might have once seemed far-fetched, but in 2025, it feels eerily relevant. However, rather than tying itself to real-world politics, the show focuses on broader themes—exploring how bullies gain power and the moral duty to stand against them.
While the conflict between public defender Murdock and Mayor Fisk brings an exciting new angle, some parts of the story feel repetitive. We have seen Murdock struggle to abandon his Daredevil identity in season 3. That storyline was inspired by the same comic arc that gives Born Again its name. Although the circumstances have changed, some overarching themes feel like familiar territory.
In the second episode of Born Again, we’re introduced to a new vigilante, White Tiger, played by Kamar de los Reyes. He emerged during the time that Murdock stepped away from being Daredevil. (The episode is dedicated to Reyes, who sadly died from cancer in 2023.) In the comics, Hector Ayala’s story is complicated, and so far, the show is doing a solid job of adapting his tragic wrongful imprisonment. Hearing Murdock scold Ayala for prowling the streets as a vigilante is almost ironic. Coming from him, that’s pretty rich. Whether he realizes it or not, taking on this case forces Murdock to confront some uncomfortable truths about himself, adding an extra layer of depth to every exchange between them.
The tension reaches its peak when two corrupt cops attempt to execute Murdock. Charlie Cox delivers an incredible performance, capturing the agony of a man who desperately wants to stay on a peaceful path but is pushed beyond his limit. When he finally snaps, he unleashes a brutal fury on his attackers, tearing into them with a terrifying level of savagery.
While the core storyline between Murdock and Fisk is gripping, the supporting cast feels underwhelming so far — there’s no standout presence like Wesley or Agent Nadeem. Murdock’s detective friend and new lawyer partner don’t bring much depth, primarily serving as exposition devices rather than compelling characters. And while Poindexter was a complex, fascinating figure in season 3, he’s been reduced to a plot device, which is very disappointing.
Credits: Disney+
There’s still plenty of time for the show to correct its course. A few new characters show potential, like Murdock’s latest love interest — who is also Fisk’s marriage counselor — and a young video journalist, who is unknowingly interviewing the man who murdered her uncle. How their arcs unfold remains to be seen. Daredevil: Born Again does well with Matt Murdock’s highly anticipated return. The show retains the intense drama and violence of the original Netflix Daredevil series while taking the characters in a bold and surprisingly relevant new direction. However, while the show nails many aspects, a few issues must be ironed out.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1 Episodes, 1 & 2: The Devil Returns to Hell’s Kitchen
There’s still plenty of time for the show to correct its course. A few new characters show potential, like Murdock’s latest love interest — who is also Fisk’s marriage counselor — and a young video journalist, who is unknowingly interviewing the man who murdered her uncle. How their arcs unfold remains to be seen. Daredevil: Born Again does well with Matt Murdock’s highly anticipated return. The show retains the intense drama and violence of the original Netflix Daredevil series while taking the characters in a bold and surprisingly relevant new direction. However, while the show nails many aspects, a few issues must be ironed out.
