From an immature boy to an 'adult hero.' The lonely four years and the 'kindness' Peter upholds: A review of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

*Please note that this article contains spoilers for the films 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'.

Following the shocking finale where his existence was erased from the memories of all humanity, comes the film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'.
The Peter Parker depicted here is a far cry from the 'slightly carefree troublemaker' we have seen until now.

Having lost his beloved Aunt May and been erased from the memories of his best friend Ned and his girlfriend MJ, Peter is literally all alone in the world. This film depicts his growth as a hero after the 'four blank years' he spent fighting in solitude, while also portraying the loneliness that comes with being a hero and the new steps he takes from there.

Former 'immaturity' and growth that avoids self-inflicted trouble

Looking back at the MCU version of Spider-Man that began with 'Homecoming,' it seems that Peter was a hero who always had a sense of 'immaturity' drifting about him. While he possessed a strong sense of justice and kindness as a hero, he often caused major trouble due to the impatience and poor choices of youth, and I was strongly left with the impression of him being saved by the adults around him, such as the Avengers or Strange.

However, the way Peter fights in this film, 'Brand New Day,' is clearly different from before.

For the approximately four years since he was erased from everyone's memories, he has continued to protect the peace of New York all by himself, without relying on anyone. As he engages with vicious threats like Scorpion and the Hand and eradicates major criminal organizations, the failures and trouble-making of the past have faded into the shadows. While he still shows the lighthearted attitude typical of Spider-Man, there is an air of a fully independent 'adult hero' about him as he takes responsibility through his own choices and actions.

The reversal from the public's 'cold gaze' to a 'beloved hero'

The culmination of these four years of effort is most movingly realized in the depiction toward the end of the story.

In the previous film, 'No Way Home,' Spider-Man was subjected to intense criticism and suspicion from the public and the media, compounded by Mysterio's schemes and the incident with Strange's magic. He was a hero who suffered the pain of being hunted by the city.

However, what was delivered to the injured Spider-Man in this film were countless 'get-well-soon' drawings from the children and residents of the city, and the warm sight of people praying for his safety.

'Even though his name was forgotten by everyone and his existence erased, he continued to protect the city.' A development that makes you realize that what he built up during those four lonely years was never in vain.

Without seeking fame or recognition, he simply continued to protect the city and its people, and as a result, Spider-Man has returned as a 'hero truly loved by the citizens of New York' in both name and reality. Having seen his harsh circumstances in the past, this change was a heart-wrenching development.

A step toward reclaiming 'Peter Parker'

Furthermore, through his interactions with Jean, who shares a similar background, with Frank (The Punisher) and others, and his long-awaited reunion with Ned and the others who were able to connect with him again despite having lost their memories, Peter begins to slowly open the heart he had been forced to close as the 'lonely existence of Spider-Man.'

In a situation where the runaway power of the spider could have easily turned him into a villain if he had taken one wrong step, he accepted both Spider-Man and Peter as himself and faced the battle.

What left a particular impression was the moment he even saved an enemy who was about to be impaled on a pipe using that power. It was a scene that seemed to show that Peter, who met a tragic end in 'No Way Home' as a result of his kind choice to save numerous villains, has now gained the strength to uphold that kind choice once again.

His appearance as he accepts himself as 'Peter Parker' beneath the mask and tries to weave human connections once again feels as refreshing as emerging from a long, dark tunnel.

Having overcome harsh loneliness, Peter Parker has grown into an adult who possesses both strength and kindness. It was a film that makes me look forward to his future endeavors.

▼ Click here for my thoughts, including Ned's memories and the final scene!

On my blog, 'Penguin Diary,' I have also compiled thoughts on whether Ned's memories returned in the final scene, as well as discussions regarding the 'debt in Staten Island' with the Punisher.