Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again Struggles to Recapture the Magic of the Netflix Series

Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ struggles to recapture the magic of the Netflix series. The series suffers from a disjointed plot. It also has uneven pacing and lacks surprises. However, some say the show finds its rhythm in the back half and has standout arcs.

A Disappointing Return for the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen

When Daredevil first arrived on Netflix in 2015, it redefined superhero television with its gritty storytelling, brutal action sequences, and emotionally complex characters. Fans rallied behind Charlie Cox’s portrayal of Matt Murdock, and the show’s three-season run became a cornerstone of Marvel’s small-screen success. So when Disney+ announced Daredevil: Born Again, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, the new series feels less like a bold revival and more like a watered-down rerun.

A Confusing Reboot That Fails to Move Forward

One of the most baffling aspects of Born Again is its identity crisis. Is it a continuation of the Netflix series, or a full reboot? The show seems reluctant to commit either way. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles as Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, yet the show ignores major plot points from the original series. Fan-favorite supporting characters like Foggy Nelson and Karen Page are notably absent, further deepening the disconnect between the two versions.

For those who loved the Netflix series, Born Again feels like a step backward. The story lacks the emotional weight and complexity that made the original so compelling. The dynamic between Matt and Fisk, once a layered battle of ideologies and personal stakes, now feels repetitive and uninspired. Instead of expanding on past conflicts, the show retreads familiar ground, but with less intensity and impact.

Toned-Down Action and Less Grit

One of Daredevil’s standout features was its bone-crunching fight choreography, particularly its now-iconic hallway fights. Sadly, Born Again lacks that same raw energy. While Cox still delivers in the action scenes, the fight sequences feel sanitized compared to the visceral brutality of the Netflix version. The darker, mature tone that made the original so unique is noticeably missing, replaced by a more conventional Disney+ approach that dulls the show’s edge.

This change in tone extends to the storytelling as well. The Netflix version thrived on slow-burn narratives, giving characters room to develop and conflicts time to build. Born Again opts for a more streamlined approach, but in doing so, it loses much of what made the original special. The pacing feels rushed, and the writing lacks the depth that made Matt Murdock’s struggles so compelling.

Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin Deserves Better

If there’s one silver lining to Born Again, it’s Vincent D’Onofrio’s return as Wilson Fisk. His portrayal of the Kingpin remains one of the best villain performances in the Marvel universe, but even he feels underutilized in this series. While his presence is menacing, the writing doesn’t give him enough to work with. Instead of building upon his complex, Shakespearean character arc from the Netflix show, Born Again reduces him to a more generic crime boss figure.

D’Onofrio does his best with the material given, but without the depth and nuance of his previous storylines, his impact is diminished. The same can be said for Cox’s Daredevil—while his performance remains strong, the lackluster script doesn’t allow him to shine the way he did in the Netflix series.

A Series in Need of Its Own Identity

Ultimately, Daredevil: Born Again struggles because it doesn’t know what it wants to be. It attempts to bring back the essence of the Netflix series while also catering to Disney+’s broader audience. The result is a show that feels like a diluted version of its predecessor—recognizable, but missing its soul.

For die-hard Daredevil fans, Born Again may still offer moments of enjoyment, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this reboot falls short of its potential. Instead of reviving the series with fresh ideas and new stakes, it simply goes through the motions, delivering a familiar but ultimately uninspired experience. The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen deserves better.