Early reviews of Spider-Man: Brand New Day have landed, and critics appear to agree on one major takeaway. Many of the first viewers say Marvel’s newest Spider-Man adventure succeeds by scaling back and focusing on Peter Parker himself.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s first reactions are in
The first wave of reactions to Spider-Man: Brand New Day has arrived, and critics have largely praised the sequel for trading multiverse spectacle for a more personal story. Reviewers highlighted Tom Holland’s performance, director Destin Daniel Cretton’s approach and the film’s character-driven storytelling, with several describing it as one of the strongest entries in Holland’s Spider-Man series.
Among the earliest reactions, Fandango’s Erik Davis called the movie “deeper” and more “mature” than the earlier entries. He praised Cretton’s Spider-Man action sequences and said the film blends detective mystery, psychological thriller and buddy-comedy elements, particularly through Peter Parker’s dynamic with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.
Critic Wendy Lee Szany also applauded the film, pointing to its “top-tier action” and emotional moments, while Brandon Pope described it as a “soulful and thrilling” celebration of classic Spider-Man stories that delivers on its major reveals.
Other critics shared a similar sentiment. Film critic Peter Howell wrote that the sequel leaves behind what he called “multiverse tedium” in favor of a grounded, street-level adventure rooted in Spider-Man’s comic-book origins. He also said Holland finally captures Peter Parker’s “sarcasm, angst and love hassles.” Nexus Point’s Kevin Verma shared a comparable view, saying Holland “has never been better,” and praised the screenplay for keeping the focus on character.
Taking place a few years after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the story picks up with Peter Parker living in a world where no one remembers who he is following Doctor Strange’s reality-altering spell. As he continues defending New York on his own, Peter faces a dangerous new threat.
Tom Holland is joined once again by Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Mark Ruffalo, and Jon Bernthal, while Sadie Sink makes her MCU debut as a new villain whose true identity is still being kept secret.
