Tom Holland is back as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a reset of the franchise following No Way Home. Now 30, Holland portrays a chunkier, more muscular Peter Parker grappling with unprecedented physical and mental health issues that venture into David Cronenberg territory. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
A reset after erased memories
At the end of No Way Home, Doctor Strange's spell erased everyone's knowledge that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, including his best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) and love interest MJ (Zendaya). Now Parker lives alone in a scuzzy single room, adored by New Yorkers for crime-fighting but pining for those he loves. The film explores whether this is truly a "brand new day" for the aging hero.
New villain and body horror
Spidey faces a sinister entity that possesses important people, starting with villain Scorpion (Michael Mando), targeting the Damage Control department run by Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman). Parker experiences headaches that lead to bizarre physical transformations, pushing the film into body-horror territory.
Supporting cast and cameos
Parker consults Black Widow (Florence Pugh) in a plunge pool scene while wearing his mask and underpants, and seeks advice from Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), ending in chaos. He also develops a fractious frenemy-bromance with Frank "Punisher" Castle (Jon Bernthal), Holland's Odyssey castmate.
Zendaya's standout performance
Zendaya saves the film from silliness and generic overfamiliarity. Her portrayal of MJ in civilian, non-superhero mode brings a grownup acting presence, with flashes of transgressive sexuality. Director Cretton gets the best out of her, and her scenes with Holland hold painful hope for rekindled romance.
Familiar Spidey tropes
The film retains classic Spider-Man elements like swinging across Manhattan without realistic web physics, and apocalyptic but temporary destruction. Despite entertaining spectacle, it lacks the novelty of experimental Spider-Verse animations, suggesting a more radical reboot is needed.
Release dates
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is out on 29 July in the UK, 31 July in the US, and 30 July in Australia.
