'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Is an Undisputed Hit With 98% on RT, but Is It Really That Good?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day was finally released in theaters on July 31. The movie was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who is known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The creators kept many plot details under wraps, including Sadie Sink's role. Here's why Brand New Day deserves your attention.

What Is 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' About?

The movie revisits Peter Parker, whose existence has been erased from the memories of everyone who knew him. Day after day, Spider-Man fights crime, clinging to the hope that he can rekindle his relationship with MJ.

He soon faces a mysterious adversary who can control the minds of those around him. This villain is sowing chaos in an attempt to reach a target within the headquarters of the Damage Control organization.

The conflict is further complicated by alarming changes in Peter's body: he is losing control. Having lost both his beloved and a loyal friend, Peter grapples with deep emotional turmoil that has serious consequences.

'Brand New Day' Is a Spectacular Action Gem With a Surprisingly Deep Emotional Component

Brand New Day's greatest strength lies in its emotional resonance: director Destin Daniel Cretton masterfully brought a solid adventure story to the screen, anchored by Peter's powerful personal journey.

The movie emphasizes sentiment in dramatic moments, allowing us to truly feel the weight of the situation. Meanwhile, Tom Holland delivers a convincing performance as a hero grappling with loss and searching for his own identity.

Sadie Sink's performance is Brand New Day's biggest surprise – her character plays a pivotal role, and her storyline is well-crafted and intriguing.

'Brand New Day's Main Drawback Is the Softening of the Punisher's Character to Appeal to a Broad Audience

First and foremost, Brand New Day is a spectacular superhero action movie, and Cretton nails it. Peter's new adventure features brilliantly choreographed, adrenaline-fueled battle sequences that look impressive.

The fight against the Hulk plays out like a brutal brawl, while the battle against members of the Hand is elegant in its own way and evokes the wuxia genre – this variety of fighting styles makes every scene unique.

However, the biggest disappointment is the misguided appearance of the Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal. His personality and behavior have been toned down, which distorts the image of the ruthless vigilante.

Setting aside the character's established persona, the dynamic between Peter and the Punisher might be entertaining. Yet, the alteration to the character leaves a bad taste.

Nevertheless, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a cohesive continuation of the story that is definitely worth seeing on the big screen.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'?

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day has 90% from critics and 98% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, Spider-Man: Brand New Day scored 4.2/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently playing in theaters.