It’s no surprise that whenever a new installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is released, I feel the need to do a general assessment of the franchise at large. And why wouldn’t I? For a long time, the MCU has been a longstanding tentpole of commercial cinema and up until COVID-19 changed the industry forever, when the MCU had a direct path forward with their storytelling, it was interesting to see where things were headed. Despite not connecting with each individual entry of the series, I at least had my finger on the pulse of how things were doing, and it was difficult to argue about the ultimate climax that Avengers: Endgame (2019) left in its wake. Transitioning out of that cinematic supremacy, however, has proven difficult, between COVID-19, a main villain falling out of favor for domestic assault, countless TV shows being incorporated, and a directionless narrative. Even the biggest cynics can argue that the pre-Endgame MCU had a point for existing and was actively building towards something special. So much of the output as of late hasn’t been able to justify itself.
That’s why I was hoping that Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), Destin Daniel Cretton’s first installment in the post-Watts trilogy of Spider-Man films, would be a fresh start for audiences looking to sink their teeth into a sense of purpose once again. I have my criticisms of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) - they’re not necessarily always engaging and lean a little too hard into placeholder territory with their storytelling. However, what I loved about both films is their ability to leave us hooked on the next installment, building an exorbitant amount of tension, all building to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which surprisingly left things on a solemn note. The future seemed open to so many possibilities. More than anything, Watts’ decision to leave Parker’s path forward on more of a dignified, ambiguous note was pretty admirable, all things considered, and left me hopeful that the next installment would be a welcome change of pace.
Unfortunately, the consistent stakes of Watts’ trilogy surprisingly fall by the wayside in Brand New Day, a surprisingly passive, overcrowded experience compared to its predecessors. While not entirely without charm or purpose, Brand New Day lacks innovation or momentum as it takes on the arduous tasks of providing the next steps for Parker’s future as a newly anonymous superhero following the events of No Way Home and using the character as a springboard for establishing future entries of the MCU. It’s all too messy with too many characters and plot lines fighting for air, and struggles to match the stakes brought forth by Watts’ entries. The same can be said for the film’s lack of stylization and personality, with little humor or defining qualities to separate itself from the MCU’s counterparts. Admittedly, I had my problems with recent entries like Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and Thunderbolts* (2025). I was a little more forgiving because their personalities shined through and there was a sense of escalation for the next steps in their respective franchises. Brand New Day’s greatest flaw is how recycled the film feels from previous MCU entries, right down to its final set piece, which looks terrific and has one of the franchise’s most innovative fight sequences, but its ultimate rationale for existing brings to mind ground that’s already been covered.
Brand New Day, more often than not, is a highlight reel of moments that one comes to expect from a next Spider-Man entry without fully committing to anything of substance. It’s just safe enough not to ruffle feathers or get fans too excited for the future, but it’s also not audacious or substantive enough to provide a path forward for potential endeavors. The film isn’t without aspects that work. The performances are all committed and in-the-moment, the film looks great and has enough pockets of visual flair, and it’s never outright boring considering its runtime of 150 minutes. It’s just disappointing that the next piece of the MCU’s puzzle with the potential to break out of its rut is simply just a means to an end. Again, there’s nothing outright insulting or incompetent put in front of us. It’s just more of the same, and for a franchise that was once known for huge risks and accompanying payoffs, Brand New Day can’t shoot enough of a web for us to get caught in emotionally.
Feature image credit to Disney via TIME
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