Starring: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man alongside Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Florence Pugh, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei, and Mark Ruffalo

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Marvel/Disney, out now

Four years after the spell that wiped him from every memory on Earth, Peter Parker is a ghost and Spider-Man is a hero loved by his city. Peter thinks he’s made his peace with his life. Until a mysterious criminal who can hop from body to body launches an attack on the Department of Damage Control and Peter’s own life…

The Holland Spider-Man movies have always been excellent, but this feels like both a step up and a step into a new beginning. Emotionally this could be a sequel to last year’s beloved Thunderbolts*. There’s the same emotional damage, the same quiet determination to be better and the same muted, autumnal colours. There’s also a cast member in common, with a movie-stealing cameo from Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova providing some big laughs and a bullseye on the core of the movie; Peter’s not okay, and the only person who can’t see that, is Peter himself.

The movie structures itself around this hole in Peter’s life and uses that to cleverly fold in its two big guest stars. When his powers develop drastically, and biologically, Peter turns to Bruce Banner for help. It makes perfect sense, and Mark Ruffalo slips back into the role with the ease of a Professorial sweater. He’s gentle, kind, funny and, like Yelena, sees through Peter in an eyeblink. Intriguingly, the Hulk seems to see further. When he inevitably breaks free, there’s a moment that pivots on what seems to be Hulk recognising Peter. A sudden dash of hope in the middle of darkness, and one that seems to be setting up something bigger.

The other big cameo here is Jon Bernthal as the Punisher. Bernthal and Holland have known each other for years, and helped with each other’s original Marvel auditions. The grumpy older brother/weird younger brother energy they bring is delightful and the Punisher has never been sweeter than he is here, while still being terrifying. There’s some genuinely laugh out loud beats in their scenes together, as well as vast affection and they ground the movie at least as much as the return of MJ and Ned. Bernthal’s best work in the role in years is here and I’d love to see these two team up again.

Jacob Batalon and Zendaya both get surprising work to do here. Batalon’s Ned is, after three movies of being an amiable and somewhat doomed sidekick, now completely fine. He’s a grown man, only slightly addicted to energy drinks and his confidence and positivity are big parts of both MJ and Peter’s lives. Ned has arguably the pivotal moment in the final scene, and it’s all sold by Batalon’s sweet nature and sincerity.

Zendaya gets some of the densest work she’s had in these movies and it all flies. MJ is haunted by the absence in her life and that discomfort is key to the movie’s best scenes. Her legitimate chemistry with Holland is balanced with moments of real tension and hurt and one scene where she’s required to play three wildly different emotions in quick succession that’s just stunning. By far the most interesting female lead these movies have ever had, MJ’s return promises a lot for the future and delivers even more now, with the humour and emotion of the movie orbiting her and Peter. Also she and the Punisher just click, which is fantastic.

Holland’s Peter Parker goes through his darkest night here. Alienated from friends, beloved as his alter ego and forgotten as himself, Peter is orphaned from the world and desperate to change, even as he convinces himself he isn’t. Holland has a remarkable sweetness in the role that’s always shone and here it becomes something more mature without losing any of its exuberance. Peter Parker’s a good man, and he sees it as this movie ends and it’s like watching the Sun come out for him and us both.

Just in case you haven’t been spoiled on Sadie Sink’s role. she’s excellent here and her relationship with Peter is one of the most interesting in the movie. Furious, determined and damaged, she gets the lions’ share of the third act but even then her actions are defined by Peter and his world, even as she begins to spin out into her own.

The fact I’ve spent this long talking about the characters should tell you how character focused this is and it works like a charm. Destin Daniel Cretton also peppers the movie with beauty (Frank’s hideout has an amazing view) and inventive, enormously entertaining action. Crucially he knows when to slow it down too and one of the most emotional beats in the entire thing is a shot of the Empire State Building. You’ll know it, don’t worry. Also, the sheer amount of actors in the crowd scenes, and the viscerally kinetic ‘jump’ scenes are incredibly impressive and punchy.

Verdict: Brand New Day is a triumph in a franchise that needed it. It sets up so much, tells a story all its own and showcases some extraordinary talent in front and behind the camera. New York’s finest is back, and it’s a brand-new day for him and the MCU. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart