Believe the hype.
Let it be said: Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a potentially flawless entry into the MCU and actually might be the best Spider-Man film of all time. In his first attempt in the Webslinger’s world, director Destin Daniel Cretton has managed to spin a tale that surpasses the wild visual spectacle of No Way Home with a story that’s smaller in scope but also far more compelling.
Set after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Brand New Day sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) living a solitary life in New York City. Spending his days (and nights) saving the world as Spider-Man, Parker exists in a world where no one knows his name, leaving him yearning for the love of his life and his best friend (Zendaya and Jacob Batalon). As the pressure to perform increases, Peter begins to experience surprising side effects. While his body appears to be evolving, Peter must also attempt to solve a series of strange new crimes that leads him to one of the most powerful threats that he has yet to face.
Brand New Day really does feel… well… new. Cretton’s film is meant to feel more mature than other Spidey adventures. Gone are the brighter hues associated with the Home trilogy, exchanged for darker tones that give the film a more serious look. Even the soundtrack tends to sound less heroic, often expressing itself with quieter, heavier beats than the MCU’s more traditionally rambunctious Spidey soundtracks.
But truly, what makes this really feel like a New Day are its performances. Each member of the main Spidey trio are allowed to grow up and mature onscreen, especially Zendaya and Holland. As MJ, Zendaya returns with wisdom and maturity. Although her character remains (almost) relegated to the romantic object of Peter Parker’s eye, she’s much more than a potential love interest. There’s a boldness within her that shows courage and growth. She’s looking for what’s right, not for what’s easy.
And Holland? Brand New Day is the film that may cement him as one of the all-time great superhero performers, alongside other icons such as Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Christopher Reeves. Though he’s been in multiple films, it’s not simply about his body of work. Holland simply owns this character in a way that few others have been able to accomplish. Having grown up onscreen before our eyes, Holland finally steps into the spider-tights with the eyes of an adult. Maintaining his youthful humour and grace, Holland’s Peter is allowed to truly become the sort of character that has the potential to lead. Once the one that was looking to others for help, here he is the one who does the helping. Now, he’s grown up and putting responsibility on his shoulders.
In short, he’s allowed to finally become Spider-MAN.
And that evolution is fully on display in Brand New Day. As seen in the trailer, Peter is still grieving the loss of his friends from the effects of Doctor Strange’s spell in No Way Home. As a result, he attempts to compensate by immersing himself in his Spider-Work. But throwing off one’s work-life balance can have dire consequences and Parker’s world is slowly slipping out of his control.
At the same time, Parker is also undergoing physical changes that he can’t explain, causing him even greater stress. Crushed under the weight of his choices (and the weirdness of his changes), he feels lost. But that’s also the sort of tension that exists when transitioning to adulthood. Torn between the innocence of his youth and the bizarreness of what he’s becoming, he fights hard to contain his new faculties. But is containment what needs to happen? Or does he need to let go and embrace his New Day?
Yet, even amidst Holland’s incredible performance, the grandest surprise may be newcomer Sadie Sink. There’s been much speculation about the role she’s playing and I won’t spoil it here. However, it’s worth noting that Sink delivers an unbelievable performance. With a storyline that leans into the importance of consent, her character reveals a fury in her soul that burns brightly. And Sink leans into these moments with conviction. Many of her key scenes feel personal, keeping the film grounded in a world of Incredible Hulks and Spider-Men. Frankly, it’s a remarkable debut.
It’s easy to be cynical about Marvel’s endless cinematic universe that has spanned almost two decades. But when they hit a home run, it still proves the power of their relevance. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is one of those moments. This is the sort of film that defies any perceived ‘superhero fatigue’, creating an engaging and stunning portrait of what it means to grow up in a world of disconnectedness. It’s got the franchise’s traditional humour and heart but there’s also an honesty to it that speaks to what it means to really become an adult.
In short, Holland is finally a Spider-Man.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is available in theatres on Friday, July 31st, 2026.
