Daredevil: Born Again – Season 1 Review: A Midseason Finale in Disguise?
Daredevil: Born Again – Is it any good?
Daredevil: Born Again just wrapped its much-anticipated first season, and honestly… I’m conflicted. The whole experience felt like waiting for a beat to drop in a song that never quite delivers. There’s tension, there’s build-up, and then… it just fades out. Not in a bad way, but not in a satisfying way either.
Don’t get me wrong—this is arguably one of Marvel’s stronger TV outings in recent years. The action is intense, the performances (from literally everyone) are top-notch, and the tone is darker, grittier, more grounded. And yet, it lacks the punch, the weight, the oomph we all wanted.
Remember those old CW superhero shows like Arrow or The Flash that had a “midseason finale” after Episode 9? Yeah, this finale gave off that exact vibe. And it makes sense, considering Born Again was originally supposed to have 18 episodes. What we got? Feels like just the first arc.
Season Breakdown: The Highs, the Lows, and the WTFs
The season opens with one of the wildest Daredevil action scenes ever. Does it top the iconic hallway fights from Netflix days? Maybe not. But it holds its own. The use of aspect ratio to show Matt’s echolocation? Genius. Fresh, innovative, and exactly what you’d expect from a reboot.
Then—BOOM—Foggy dies (or does he?), Matt throws Poindexter off a roof in a grief-fueled breakdown, and hangs up the suit. He’s crossed a line, broken his code. So he turns to the law, fully embracing his “Matt Murdock, Attorney at Law” persona. Meanwhile, Fisk decides to run for mayor. Because of course he does.
At the core of the season is a recurring question: Can people like Matt and Fisk truly change? Can they shed their masks and live “normal” lives?
By the end of the season, the answer is a big, bloody “no.”
Kingpin Returns, and He's Unhinged
Wilson Fisk goes full Kingpin by the finale. The moment he crushes Commissioner Gallo’s head with his bare hands (shoutout to Marvel for the A-rating) was peak Fisk brutality. His whole mayoral run? Just a front to control Redhook Port and move billions—not millions—through the city. Turns out, money trumps love for Hell’s Kitchen. Who knew?
The Middle Episodes Drag, But There Are Gems
Episodes 3 to 7 feel… off. Not bad, but definitely a tonal shift. Muse, who was hyped up throughout the season, is taken out way too quickly. Sure, his death—being turned into his final “art piece”—is poetic. But after so much buildup, it feels rushed.
The Daredevil vs. Muse fight was thrilling. But again, there’s a weird disconnect. Daredevil is more brutal than ever, but something feels unfinished.
The whole corrupt cop subplot? Underused. Frank Castle killing everyone who storms Matt’s apartment—except for the one guy who just so happens to shoot Hector Ayala? Classic TV plot armor. But hey, what’s a Marvel show without some convenient logic?
Creative Shift? Oh, You Can Tell.
There’s a clear divide between the original creative direction and the new directors—Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. And honestly? The episodes they handled directly (1, 8, 9) are the strongest of the bunch.
Episode 8? Highlight of the season. Matt taking a bullet for Fisk? Never saw that coming. Maybe for Vanessa, but Fisk? That moment, though, ties beautifully into earlier dialogue—Poindexter’s comment about how “good guys always protect their worst enemies.” Chef’s kiss.
Episode 5? Basically a side quest. But a cool one.
The Final Stretch and That Annoying Midseason Vibe
As Fisk sheds his “good guy” image and starts donning lighter suits—ending in the iconic white Kingpin outfit—Matt also descends deeper into the Daredevil persona. Their paths mirror each other in a slow spiral into chaos.
But again, that nagging feeling remains: This felt like an interval, not an ending.
And now we wait until early or mid-2026 for Season 2. Wonderful. But hey, the post credit scene sets up the Punisher one shot perfectly.
Standout Moments (No Particular Order)
- Foggy dies and Matt hurls Bullseye off the roof.
- Matt defending Hector Ayala in court.
- Daredevil vs. Muse.
- Matt taking a bullet—for Fisk, of all people.
- Frank and Matt debating vigilante morality (every single time).
- Fisk keeping Adam caged—a subtle power move.
- The evolution of Fisk’s wardrobe = evolution of madness.
- Gallo’s head… well, you know.
- The task force apartment fight: Daredevil + Punisher tag team!
- Matt using echolocation to crack a high-security vault door.
- Vanessa’s return to power, ordering Foggy’s hit (chilling but brilliant).
- The diner scene between Matt and Fisk—pure tension.
Final Thoughts: Good, But Not Netflix Good
Daredevil: Born Again is a solid return for the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, but it doesn’t quite reach the Netflix era’s emotional depth or pacing tightness. That said, it’s unfair to compare directly to something a decade old.
The pacing was inconsistent, the structure felt like two shows stitched together, and the payoff wasn’t fully satisfying. But the potential is there. With Season 2 set to have a unified creative vision and a more focused pace—there’s reason to be hopeful.
Let’s just pray “faster” doesn’t mean “shallow.” We need depth and momentum.
What Did You Think of Daredevil: Born Again?
Did you love it? Hate it? Or fall somewhere in between like me? Did Daredevil Born again leave a weird taste for you too?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s geek out or rant together.
Want to know more about Daredevil: Born Again, get more details here. Want to know about our take on Thunderbolts? Click here.
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