Making film history for having the biggest opening weekend, Spider-Man: Brand New Day graces theatres, as many Marvel fans were desperately waiting after almost 5 years. With the massive success of the previous film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, audiences were on the edge of their seats for the continuation of Peter Parker’s story. Especially following the roller coaster of events that took place during the last film: Aunt May’s passing, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s special appearances, and Dr. Strange’s spell of making everyone forget who Peter Parker is—including his girlfriend, MJ, and best friend, Ned. Fans’ emotions were still at an all-time high walking into the theatres this last month for the film’s release, and they ended up leaving even more distraught.
At the beginning of the movie, as always promised, we were met with classic Spider-Man action fights, but the one fight Peter can’t seem to win is the one happening in his head. And we quickly realize that the friendly-neighborhood superhero conveys very real-life acts, like stalking his friend Ned’s social media posts, which also include his girlfriend, MJ. Thinking about how he is protecting them from his dangerous, risky life as Spider-Man also reveals that under the suit is a guy who desperately misses his friends and is struggling with the fact that he is a stranger to them. Not to mention, he is still grieving these relationships four years after the spell, and hasn’t made any huge movements to make himself known to them again. Instead, he is witnessing something that many cannot fathom: watching your friends live the life that you once were looking forward to living with them. Four years of college classes, parties, and small hangouts go by…and Peter is unfortunately watching from the sidelines.
There are many moments in the film where we see Peter’s mental and physical struggles due to this huge change and adjustment in his life. One specific moment that stood out the most to the audience is when MJ is romantically pursuing someone else. This would take a huge mental toll on just any person, but as for Peter, he is carrying the reason as to why his relationship with MJ ended and it’s because, unfortunately, he is Spider-Man. It is not unfortunate that he is looked upon as a heroic figure, but that it unfortunately comes at a cost. Not only is he grieving the relationship he once had with MJ, but he is experiencing firsthand her potentially having that with someone else, and not having the same knowledge as Peter when it pertains to their history together. After registering the fact, Peter then decides to emotionally run off and swing through the city without his suit on, which makes the audience recognize many things. Peter swinging without his suit on implies he is not hiding his identity, and he does not have any protection if he were to potentially get hurt. We’ve seen the value that he has carried in the past with keeping his identity safe, and also himself physically safe. For him to put those two things in jeopardy, it makes his emotions appear much clearer and makes his whole character seem much more real to the audience.
Grief is a consistent theme in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, whether it is grieving people who are still alive but not present, or those who have tragically passed away. On top of the big change in Peter’s friendships and relationships, it’s important to acknowledge the immense loss of his Aunt May, and how she is, silently, the core of this film. After her devastating passing in the last film, we knew that her essence would be carried or acknowledged in the upcoming movies, but many were deeply moved by how her character ended up being included. Towards the end of the film, it becomes apparent that Peter was not the only one struggling with loss and grief. Jean Grey, who was introduced to us as the villain in the story, ended up revealing her reasoning behind why she was causing violence. She lost her sister, Sara, through a system that wanted to take her powers from her, and Jean wanted to get revenge. We start to perceive her as less of a villain and more like a person who is mourning the loss of her only family. She eventually recognizes that Peter is also grieving on his own when it flashes to a scene of Aunt May comforting him about how he is never alone, except Jean is in Peter’s seat listening to her words. This is where Aunt May’s character showcases the deeper meaning of the film—no matter what you’re going through, you are never alone. Behind these two very different people with these extraordinary capabilities lies an understanding of grief and loss.
Relating to Aunt May’s crucial advice, the importance of community becomes prominent within the film. Besides the growing friendship later on between Peter and Jean, there are many instances where building a community starts to become a priority. After MJ is exposed to her history with Peter, leading to a very rough conversation for both characters, she ends up introducing Spider-Man to Ned to potentially restore what has been lost. Though Peter’s identity is still hidden from Ned, the three ended up hanging out for hours, and it started to feel like old times. Peter happily admitted that it was the most fun he has had in years, but also silently confirms the loneliness he has suffered from since the memory wiping of Dr Strange’s spell. Building on the bond he had shared with Ned as Spider-Man, towards the end of the movie, Peter decides to introduce himself to Ned in hopes of sparking a friendship again. And many fans found great comfort in knowing that Peter is starting to surround himself with people again, especially after all that he has lost.
Taking a look at the outside of all of the characters and roles, there’s no argument that the entire cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is filled with endless talent. From seeing new faces like Sadie Sink, who phenomenally played Jean Grey, to our beloved, well-known faces of Zendaya (MJ), Jacob Batalon (Ned), and Marisa Tomei (Aunt May). And of course, the face of Spider-Man and the heart of Peter Parker, actor Tom Holland, who greatly portrayed very realistic mental challenges in someone who lives a very unrealistic life. It truly felt like we really got to know Peter Parker in this film compared to the last ones, and we can only thank director Destin Daniel Cretton for creating a heartfelt storyline for one of Marvel’s favorite superheroes.
