PG-13 | 2h 25m | Superheroes, Marvel Comic Universe | 2026

What does the latest “Spider-Man” have to offer? Although I am completely fed up with the Marvel Comic Universe (MCU) at this point, I'll say it has a decent amount to offer, actually. That is, if you’re a rabid fan, or 14 years old, or both. The new installment kicks off by reminding us that last time Tom Holland suited up as Spidey was four years after the last movie’s events.

Back then, in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Peter was tasked with saving the universe by asking Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange to cast a spell to make the world forget that Peter Parker was Spider-Man. This tragically included his girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya), and best bud, Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon).

All Spidey, All the Time

Ever since then, Peter has been fighting crime in Manhattan. Amusingly, as a longtime New York City denizen, I eventually realized that his skyscraper web-swinging is basically in and around Times Square and over on Lexington Avenue near the Chrysler Building. The Spidey-beat realistically involves very limited acreage, which is why the fact that the movie was shot in Glasgow, Scotland, matters little.

Peter gets tips from NYPD Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colón-Zayas), who’s got him on speed dial. He tries to stay out of the way of rival crime fighter and vigilante Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher (Jon Bernthal, here making his first movie appearance in the MCU, having previously fronted two seasons of “The Punisher” TV show).

It’s Lonely at the Top (of the Empire State Building)

Peter has lived in isolation for the past four years, but, naturally, he keeps track of MJ and Ned’s college years and post-collegiate lives, on social media. His only other non-crime-fighting activity is visiting the grave of his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei, seen in flashbacks) and refreshing the flowers there.

Something odd is happening, though—he’s noticed that his body is changing: He’s developing organic web-shooting spinnerets. The original Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) had them, but Andrew Garfield’s Spidey didn’t. It would appear that his arachnid-infused DNA is gaining strength. Will the creepy-crawly in him take over?

In order to avoid having Peter’s cyberstalking of MJ remind everyone of the sociopathic protagonist of “Obsession” (2025), the film quickly revs up a plot. It involves a telepath who’s able to possess random people (supervillains among them) and use them to wreak havoc on New York City. The intent is to infiltrate the Department of Damage Control—the agency tasked with cleaning up messes left behind by building-demolishing superheroes.

Plot Kicks In

This is how Spidey, in the film’s first big set piece, finds himself swinging through the streets of downtown Manhattan in pursuit of a tank that’s on a collision course with Damage Control’s Manhattan headquarters. He discovers that the individual driving the vehicle is a mind-controlled random civilian woman who is being operated like a puppet by a mysterious mind-jumping villain. Cars and buses are duly flipped, webs slung, and buildings demolished.

Marvel insistently asked critics not to provide spoilers, so without revealing anything significant, I can say that the writers bring in other Marvel characters cleverly. Some, like Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and a certain blonde with a Russian accent, are seen early on and are used to anchor the new Spidey flick to past Marvel movies.

One key character who’s appeared in many past MCU movies is here played by “Stranger Things” star Sadie Sink, who brings a powerful new interpretation (and brand new movie star charisma) to the role.

Sink figures prominently in the movie’s two biggest action set pieces. The one in the middle feels like the predictable MCU jumble of CGI falling-rubble yawn-fest. The more successful finale has the audience react to the characters’ emotions rather than endless web-shooting.

Holland, Zendaya, and Bernthal (all of whom also recently had roles in “The Odyssey”) have some solid scenes together. This provides a thoughtful update on Peter’s and MJ’s relationship.

It’s Sink’s powerful performance, though, that will crop up in the audience’s minds when the credits roll, along with the strong suspicion that there will inevitably be yet another episode forthcoming.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Mark Ruffalo, Marisa Tomei
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

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