Opinion - Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) Not spoiler free

Spider-Man: Brand New Day begins by introducing Peter Parker at a low point, trying to rebuild his life after everything he has lost. With no one remembering who he is, Peter is forced to start over while balancing the responsibility of being Spiderman.

As he tries to find his footing, a new threat emerges that pulls him back into danger. Jean Grey (Sadie Sink) is the villain in the film. Grey's main powers are telepathic e.g. reading or projecting thoughts. She also is able to body-hop which was interesting to watch.

Some have talked about being underwhelmed by the choice of villain, but the film proved that a compelling story does not rely solely on its antagonist.

The film featured appearances from other characters from the Marvel universe. I loved Jon Bernthal's appearances as The Punisher. He was not the main focus, but he elevated every scene he appeared in.

Mark Ruffalo also turned up as Bruce Banner/Hulk. The Hulk has not appeared in a Marvel movie for years. Although it was refreshing to see another favourite, he did not seem to fit into this particular film as naturally as The Punisher. However, he did play a important role in helping the audience to understand the reasoning behind Peter's exploration of the inhibitor.

With more sporadic appearances, Florence Pugh featured in the film as Yelena Belova. Her main purpose seemed to be to reiterate the hierarchy of the new Avengers.

The film's exploration of loneliness and mental health became the true heart of the movie.

Peter is not as boyish in this movie. He has been through hardship and he has grown. There is a flashback that unravels piece by piece over the length of the movie, including Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). Aunt May reminds him to remember his worth and tells him how loved he is, not just by her.  

The film focuses on the importance of friendship and connection. This notion is particularly prominent in the scene where Peter reveals his identity to MJ (Zendaya) who then brings him back to the apartment to reunite with Ned (Jacob Batalon), who remains unaware of his true identity.

The film ends with a hint of recognition from Ned after Peter approaches him and initiates their old handshake. It is not clear if his memory of Peter is fully restored, something we will have to wait to find out in the next movie.