Contains Spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day

The last time we saw Peter Parker (Tom Holland), he was public enemy number one. But our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is starting all over again in the fourth instalment of his fight, Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).

Four years have passed, and everyone and everything is changing. Set in the aftermath of Dr Strange’s memory-wiping spell in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Peter’s life has narrowed, and he is left to watch his world from a distance. His energetic naivety has drained, with his optimistic youth fading into an exhaustive loneliness as he faces a complicated new world entirely by himself. Whilst MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) continue to live their lives none the wiser, Peter would do anything to keep them safe. After all, they are all he has, even if they don’t know it.

Four years have passed, and everyone and everything is changing.

As ever, Tom Holland offers a boyishness in his performance as Spider-Man, with small moments that remind us that he will always be that nerdy kid in class that we once knew. Yet, within this, Spider-Man: Brand New Day makes a bold shift to an emotional darkness. Although Peter still has the same sass he’s always had, Holland ensures that in the quietness, the weight of grief, anger, and isolation is overriding.

With Peter confronting a completely new reality, change is everywhere, including in production as Destin Daniel Cretton takes the mantle of director, following the reign of Jon Watts. Cretton’s emotionally focused directing naturally complements Peter Parker’s story as he enters the most turbulent time of his life.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become messy in its Multiverse saga. From introducing plot points that will never be picked up on again to overcomplicating the timelines, Marvel has been accused of losing their way. Yet, in the midst of this, Spider-Man: Brand New Day feels like it has a vague familiarity to classic Marvel, as the masked hero balances both the small potatoes and big potatoes.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day feels like it has a vague familiarity to classic Marvel

The comic book style has truly been embraced in this film. And despite its comic roots, this is something that we don’t often see in the MCU. However, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is proud in using classic characters and costuming, and loud cinematography that focalises the trademark reds and blues of Spider-Man, grounding the film in Stan Lee’s original portrayal of his hero, reminding us of what the MCU really is.

Throughout the Multiverse Saga so far, the X-Men-Defenders cameos have been drip fed into the MCU, but Spider-Man: Brand New Day catapults these crossovers miles ahead. Now, us MCU die-hards are still reeling from the death of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) that tore away the fan-favourite father-son duo of Tony and Peter. But, with the introduction of Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) a certain void has been filled. Bernthal’s portrayal of the merciless Punisher has been filtered down with his comedically argumentative friendship with Peter Parker, showing us a softer side to the vigilante. But even so, his bombshell of an entrance to the MCU is definitely a welcomed one.

Jean Grey (Sadie Sink) has also made it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and doesn’t hold back, bringing her mutant power and fierce will from Earth-10005 to Earth-616. What it seems Jean also brings with her is the classic battle between human and mutant. Spider-Man: Brand New Day sees Peter Parker desperately working away to inhibit his spider senses, which, for eagle-eyed easter egg hunters, looks very familiar to the age-old X-Men dilemma. Perhaps this is finally the definitive crossover of the two universes that Marvel has been teasing for so long.

It is easy within these epic crossovers to forget everything else going on. Peter is not only facing danger on the daily in the streets of New York City, but he also fights the difficult battle against the inner spider. As he loses control over his senses, he must choose: Does he want to be Peter Parker or Spider-Man?

Stan Lee’s legacy ultimately lives on through Spider-Man, with many of us having grown up with Peter Parker, whether it was with Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland, or all three. They have always stood to teach us a sense of morality, agency, and of course great responsibility. However, our latest Spider-Man seems to carry a much more complex message, standing to represent the convoluted and confusing nature of growth and change as he navigates his new existence in complete anonymity.

Peter is not only facing danger on the daily in the streets of New York City, but he also fights the difficult battle against the inner spider.

So where does this leave Spider-Man? With the film’s ambiguous ending, the future is still uncertain for Peter Parker. But as the world begins to remember just how heroic he is, we are sure to see more from the friendly neighbourhood spider. Perhaps he’ll make a daring return in Avengers: Doomsday or join Yelena and the New Avengers team? Spider-Man’s journey isn’t over just yet; it’s simply a brand-new day.

Rating: 4/5

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