• Release year: 2026
• Director: Destin Daniel Cretton.
• Producers: Kevin Feige, Rachel O’Connor, Amy Pascal, and Avi Arad.
• Screenplay by: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
• Cinematography by: Brett Pawlak.
• Music by: Michael Giacchino.

Shotgun Commentary: Marvel’s catnip for nerds, but what a catnip!

Review

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a feel-good movie that sets the stage for the bigger Avengers movie to come. So… kinda what you expect from it, only now with a lot more familiar faces.

The tale in question

The story follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) right where we left him in the previous movie: everyone has forgotten about him thanks to a Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) spell. As a result, he lost both his best friend and his girlfriend, who were pretty much the only people he had in his life after his beloved aunt May died. So we meet a pretty emo Spidey hanging out (pun intended) in New York and saving people 24/7 while crying inside his mask. Does this mean he has lost his cutesy sense of humour? Thankfully, no. The movie manages to be upbeat despite everything.

What it does not manage as well is the OMG effect. If you disregard all prior timelines by any other production company that is not Marvel, the whole story is pretty obvious within the first fifteen minutes. This is disappointing for anyone that showed up to be wowed, but it also helps you focus on Spidey’s quarter-life crisis.

The villain is pretty clear from the beginning despite the attempt at mystery since there are only two well-known characters in the MCU with their abilities, and once you figure that out, the plot twist becomes more of a plot straight line. As for Spidey’s crisis… it could have been a little bit more hardcore, to be honest. The build-up is great, and the aha moment is also badass AF, but the emotional and biological aspects could have been more polished.

Familiar faces

Now, to the main course: the cameos and team-ups. The first half hour of the film reeks of fan service. There are cameos, call-backs, references… You name it, they got it. There was a lot of criticism when She-Hulk (2022) came out over this matter precisely, but Marvel knows it works no matter how simplistic and patronising that move is, so props to them for sticking with it. Plus, you’ve invested hours of your life watching and re-watching Marvel movies only to go, “Hey! I know that!” So why would anyone want to take that small but oddly fulfilling satisfaction away from you? Get a life, haters.

This review will not feature any of the cameos or references that are not already in the trailer so as to not rob any of you of your “I know that guy!” moment. That being said, let’s talk about Frank (Jon Bernthal). The Punisher returns after the streaming special The Punisher: One Last Kill (2026). He seems a lot more focused, although just as unreasonable and stubborn as ever. This makes sense to all those who have watched said special or who have chosen to believe that some of Daredevil’s Christian rhetoric has sunk in (spoiler: it has not). However, he is sane enough not to be downright depressing and crazy enough to be the most hilarious element of the movie. Spider-Man and Punisher team-up? Yesthankyoumoreplease.

All in all, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is one of the best of the Spider-Man movies with Holland in the main role, right after Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which arguably had way better fan service. The only thing left to say—and I think you will thank me for it—is do not wait for the after-credits scene. It is ridiculous and it does not tell you anything you do not already know. If you need to pee, just go.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Friendship is more powerful than romantic attachments.
• The grumpy friend is the one worth keeping.
• Moping will not solve your problems. Shooting might not solve them either.

What’s your take? Have you watched Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀