‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Review: The Series Soars With Unexpected Turns, Pumped-Up Suspense and Fierce Action

When Daredevil: Born Again resurrected the Marvel hero on Disney+ Last year, one thing was clearly established: this series would be as mercilessly violent as its Netflix predecessor. It delivers and then some, reintroducing Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk, and the dark themes that made the superhero crime drama so compelling. While the first season took time to build its interconnected storylines to its climax (and memorable finale), season 2 has an energetic momentum that allows the series to maintain its influence. And keeps you in suspense from the first episode until the very end.

Debuting Tuesday night on the streamer, it’s suspenseful, graphic and clever, with eight tightly linked episodes playing out smoothly like a very long, very good movie.

Before the main credits begin in the first episode of the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, a video from street reporter BB Urich (Genneya Walton) paints a picture of what’s happening in the city under the leadership of Mayor Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Remember when he declared martial law in last season’s finale? Well, it’s just good humor on camera: New York Born Again is the slogan on posters around Manhattan, and citizens are giving the mayor a thumbs up. In fact, Fisk’s face is on many posters, hung around the city like ornaments, letting people know what a great job he is doing to keep New York safe.

The action that takes place at night tells a different story, when a black-suited Daredevil — yes, THAT black suit with two red D’s on the chest – boards a freighter on the river and starts beating his armed guards. Blood splatters fly everywhere (including the screen), broken limbs crack, and the mysterious cargo is revealed: illegal weapons. The first half of episode 1 sets up the entire season with this doomed, sinking ship that Daredevil barely escapes.

We have a politician who turns a band of law enforcement officers into his personal army that targets his enemies, ordinary citizens and rebel “vigilantes” whom he considers terrorists. Kingpin is in power, always ready to use fear to generate loyalty, distribute bloody assaults and put people in cages. His Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF) is searching for fugitives like Karen Page and Daredevil, whom he has publicly named as being responsible for the ship’s debacle. The bloodthirsty AVTF is after them and anyone who harms (or distracts from) Kingpin’s agenda.

It’s a treat to see Daredevil and The Punisher beat people up, and seeing Bullseye’s tricks feeds my affinity for stylish assassins, but the heart of the first two seasons of this series is Matt Murdock versus Wilson Fisk, or Daredevil versus Kingpin. There are two people who always worry about what the other is doing. Several characters are now on board and shaking things up this season, including Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard) and New York Governor Marge McCaffrey (Lili Taylor). Villains and heroes come from unassuming places – as do reinforcements.

Jessica’s jump to this reboot opens up so many questions, but this series isn’t about her. The former Defender is here to help, so we don’t have much to catch up on what’s been going on in her life since 2019 (when Jessica Jones aired the series finale). Believe methere are questions. Despite this, it’s good to see someone on Matt’s side when we don’t know where Frank Castle currently is.

D’Onofrio and Cox once again bring their undeniable gravitas to the screen, with the complex dynamics of their characters setting the tone. Stunts and camera shots show off Daredevil’s agility and keen hearing skills, as well as Kingpin’s muscles.

However, Deborah Ann Woll, Wilson Bethel (as Bullseye, aka Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter) and Ayelet Zurer (who plays Vanessa Fisk) deliver stunning performances that increase the intensity of the story. There’s a dinner sequence involving Bullseye that I couldn’t get out of my head, a reminder of how this series’ fight choreography and cinematography perfectly complement each character.

Karen is on the warpath, Vanessa plots alongside her husband, and Fisk faces new challenges to his power outside of Matt. That’s not to say that Kingpin isn’t surrounded by loyalists like Daniel, Buck, and Dr. Heather Glenn, whose story arcs take some interesting turns. As tension and action unfold throughout each episode, many people end up hurt, tricked, or dead. An incredibly gruesome season finale is the R-rated delight you expect from Daredevil: Born Again.

While season 1 delved into the darker natures of Fisk and Matt, season 2 examines whether redemption and true justice can exist. Pay attention: even Daredevil’s armor reflects the story. The show still has its imperfections; some minor details about the crime at the center of the plot are inconsistent. And Heather’s storyline gets a little weird, but maybe that will pay off in season 3.

In the meantime, enjoy the bloody scenes, DIY detectives, and jaw-dropping surprises that Daredevil: Born Again offers in Season 2. And if you have time to watch the Marvel shows that have been originally on NetflixI think you will enjoy this season, all of its Easter eggs and even more nods to the MCU.