After the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker is completely alone. Nobody remembers him, his friendships are gone and he has chosen not to remind MJ and Ned who he is.

Watch the review here.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows Peter as he tries to live almost entirely as Spider-Man. He is still protecting New York but he no longer has the support system, technology or friendships that helped him through the previous films. Tom Holland returns as Peter alongside Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

What I liked most is that the film does not immediately undo the ending of No Way Home. Peter’s decision has consequences. He may have saved the people he loves but he now has to watch them live without him.

Tom Holland feels older here. Peter still has his humour but it is mixed with loneliness, frustration and the pressure of trying to be Spider-Man every day. The film gives him more emotional weight without turning him into a completely miserable character.

I also enjoyed seeing Spider-Man return to a more grounded New York story. The smaller crimes, city streets and Peter’s personal struggles make the film feel closer to the classic Spider-Man idea of an ordinary young man trying to survive an extraordinary life.

The film does still have several wider MCU connections and at times it feels as though too many characters are competing for attention. Personally, I would have preferred even more focus on Peter rebuilding his life.

However, this is a strong new beginning for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It moves the character forward instead of trying to recreate the excitement of No Way Home.

Watch it if you enjoy Spider-Man most when Peter Parker’s personal life matters just as much as the superhero action.

NerdiPop score: 8.5/10