Over $1 billion at the box office during its opening weekend—but is Spider-Man: Brand New Day really that good?
The story picks up right after the events in which Peter Parker (Tom Holland), through a spell, asked for everyone to forget who he was. As a result, both MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) lose all their memories of him and the time they shared together. Let’s remember that, along with Aunt May, they were the people Peter loved most.
That’s where the movie begins, showing us a heartbroken and completely isolated Peter. From there, several iconic characters from the franchise make an appearance. However, they may not feel all that relevant to the story—which, in my opinion, is one of the film’s biggest shortcomings, since they could have been used much better.
One of the strongest aspects is the combat choreography, which at times feels very similar to the Spider-Man games for PS4 and PS5. It came across as a direct reference from the directors. But that’s not all: the movie is packed with nods to our classic superhero. Some may see it as fan service, while others may see it as a very well-executed idea.
Another interesting element is Sadie Sink’s character—I won’t reveal who she is—who brings a perspective we have never seen before in a Marvel movie. Honestly, it was a development I didn’t see coming. It may be a little confusing for viewers who aren’t deeply familiar with the comics universe, but it has real potential if they handle it the right way. Hopefully they do, because Sadie Sink brings a lot of potential to the role.
The film also carries a strong emotional weight and presents a more human side of Peter: someone who is always there to help others, yet feels lonely and unsupported. This Spider-Man shows his true feelings and leaves us with an important message: mental health matters, and we should never neglect it.
As the movie unfolds, it gradually reveals the personalities the characters have developed throughout the saga. I really liked that. Even though they have lost their memories of Peter, there is still something connecting them—something that transcends the spell.
So, to answer the question from the beginning: whether or not this is the best Spider-Man movie is definitely up for debate. It may be the most introspective one so far, but it will depend a lot on which version of Peter Parker each viewer connects with most. Many people grew up watching Tom Holland play our hero, so they may naturally lean toward this one. Still, this is arguably the best-handled version of Peter across all the Spider-Man movie franchises: a character shaped by complex stories, difficult situations, and the strength of character needed to be New York’s hero.
In the end, each viewer will decide whether it is the best Spider-Man movie or not. But as far as I’m concerned, I absolutely recommend it. And, as usual with Marvel, the movie leaves us with a post-credits scene that offers clues about where this cinematic universe is heading.
Go see the movie, form your own theories, and let us know what you thought through our Instagram profile.
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