Daredevil Born Again First Reactions: A Dark and Gritty Revival of the Marvel Series

Image credits: IGN

The first two episodes of Marvel’s “Daredevil: Born Again” have been unveiled to members of the press, and the first reactions for the Disney+ series are glowing, with many praising its dark and gritty tone. Screen Rant on-camera reporter Liam Crowley praised the show, stating that it has the best pilot of any MCU series thus far, and it’s not close, with edge of seat energy and audible gasps throughout. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio haven’t lost a step, and the show's direction by Benson and Moorhead brings a new level of intensity to the series.

Sean O’Connell, managing editor of Cinema Blend, agreed, writing that the show opens with a lengthy, devastating sequence that screams, ‘This is just as brutal as Netflix.’ From there, the 2 episodes lay out a layered story about cops, vigilantes, and guilt, making it a great start to the series. Erik Davis, managing director of Fandango, also echoed the sentiments of Crowley and O’Connell, stating that the first two episodes are among the strongest starts for a Marvel Studios TV show to date, with a story that is part court procedural and part all-out brawling.

“Born Again” sees Charlie Cox reprise the role of Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer turned crime fighter, after ushering in the character’s small screen debut with Netflix in 2015. This is not Cox’s first return to the MCU however, as he appeared as Murdock in the Disney+ series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” and “Echo,” as well as 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Along with Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Ayelet Zurer, Wilson Bethel, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Jon Bernthal also return for the reboot, with other cast members including Michael Gandolfini, Margarita Levieva, and Jeremy Earl. The official logline for “Born Again” reads: “Matt Murdock (Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York.

When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.” “Daredevil: Born Again” premieres on Disney+ March 4, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the Man Without Fear. Some of the first reactions from critics and fans include:

• Rachel Leishman praising the show's fight sequences and the return of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio
• Austin Medeiros stating that the show recaptures what made the original series so special but also takes it in a different direction
• The Nerds of Color affirming Marvel Studios' commitment to the original series' tone and feel
• Junior Felix praising the show's fantastic fight sequence and Vincent D’Onofrio's performance as a hardened, cautious, and wary Fisk
• Joselyn Nicole welcoming back the character of Daredevil, stating that the debut is spectacular and guaranteed to put a smile on fans' faces
• Eric Marchen analyzing the show's plot elements, stating that it borrows from BATMAN RETURNS and BATMAN FOREVER, making it somewhat familiar as a faux-docudrama procedural

The return of Daredevil is highly anticipated, and with its action-packed sequences and dark tone, it's sure to be a hit with fans of the Marvel series. With its release on Disney+ just around the corner, fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see Charlie Cox reprise his role as Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio return as Wilson Fisk.