Daredevil: Born Again – A Familiar Echo in a Changed Landscape

The passage of time leaves its mark on everything, even heroes. A decade has elapsed since Charlie Cox first embodied Daredevil, the blind Marvel vigilante whose heightened senses and reflexes transform Hell’s Kitchen into his personal battleground. The world of superhero entertainment has undergone a seismic shift since the premiere of the gritty, ultra-violent Netflix series in 2015. Back then, Thanos was a distant threat lurking on the horizon, Spider-Man swung under Andrew Garfield’s mask, and the streaming landscape was a nascent field with few major players.

Marvel, lacking a dedicated streaming platform, ventured into uncharted territory with Netflix, crafting mature, street-level narratives centered on heroes more concerned with petty criminals than cosmic adversaries. Daredevil led the charge, followed by Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and the team-up series The Defenders. These series, showcasing a darker, more grounded corner of the Marvel universe, were all abruptly canceled as Disney prioritized its own streaming service, Disney+, and its slate of high-profile, A-list Marvel shows like WandaVision and Loki.

However, pop culture operates in cycles. As some audiences express "Marvel fatigue", Marvel is reviving its past successes. Thus emerges Daredevil: Born Again, a revival of the Daredevil saga, now streaming on Disney+, a platform that once seemed incompatible with the mature themes and graphic violence that defined its predecessor. The transition to Disney+ followed the platform’s adoption of the original Netflix Marvel shows, signaling a demand for more mature content within the Marvel universe. With Cox reprising his role as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio returning as the menacing Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, Born Again materialized with remarkable speed.

Born Again retains the essence of the original Daredevil on the surface, however it lacks the previous ambition and excitement. While still a decent re-creation, the spark of creativity is absent, sacrificed for the sake of faithful imitation.

So, where do we find the familiar faces of the Daredevil ensemble in this new iteration? Surprisingly, they occupy almost the same spaces they did a decade ago. Matt Murdock (Cox) continues his dual life, battling crime as Daredevil at night and fighting for justice as a lawyer by day, alongside his loyal allies, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). Following a personal tragedy, Matt contemplates retirement from his vigilante endeavors, choosing to focus on his legal practice. But New York remains a breeding ground for crime. The Kingpin resurfaces, initiating a mayoral campaign shrouded in mystery.

Between Fisk’s political maneuverings and a case that resonates deeply with Matt’s sense of justice, the Daredevil alter ego remains poised for action.

Daredevil: Born Again successfully recaptures the somber atmosphere of the original series. Cox and D’Onofrio seamlessly slip back into their iconic roles. The show’s visual aesthetic is largely the same. With a new creative team, Daredevil continues to brood, practice law, and deliver brutal punishment to criminals. Fan favorites from the Netflix series make appearances, including Jon Bernthal’s interpretation of The Punisher. The writers address modern topics by linking the comic-book drama to the socio-political realities of 2025.

Yet, despite these elements, the series seems to be trying to be average. It is a mere copy of a former masterpiece. The original Daredevil was an example of superhero storytelling that explored complex morality, moral ambivalence, and intense violence. In 2024, this is an oversaturated trope. The original’s remarkable first season featured innovative fight choreography that shocked viewers, while the violence was never glorified. A memorable, bloody fight scene within a dark corridor remains etched in the memories of viewers. Born Again struggles to reach this kind of greatness. In their attempt to mimic something beloved, the producers plagiarize the original series: Too much of Born Again feels derivative. Great TV shows evolve throughout seasons. This show is an exception.

The "new" Daredevil will fulfill the needs of those who want simple Marvel shows. However, in its fifth phase, Marvel offers many mediocre shows. Born Again is linear. If you want a dark hero, then Born Again is for you. Maybe this will suffice for some.

However, many average TV shows are airing now. The goal should be to create great TV.