Spider-Man: Brand New Day review: Zendaya saves Tom Holland’s semi-Cronenberg superhero

Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man in the new film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which premiered on July 28, 2026. The movie serves as a reset for the franchise, following the events of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" where Peter Parker erased everyone's memory of his secret identity.

The film affects the core characters: Peter Parker, now played by a 30-year-old Holland, his best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), and his love interest MJ (Zendaya). According to the review, Zendaya's performance is a standout, while Holland's portrayal shows a more physically mature Spider-Man with "pretty serious biceps."

This installment matters because it explores whether the role of Spider-Man is maturing along with its actor. The review notes that Holland recently described his role in Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey" as his "last chance to play a boy," raising questions about his continued portrayal of the young superhero.

The review describes the film as "sometimes shocking, occasionally sluggish" and mentions a "semi-Cronenberg-style" approach. It points out a narrative inconsistency regarding Dr. Strange's powers, which were used to erase memories in the previous film but are not utilized in this new episode.

The background lies in the ending of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," where Dr. Strange's psychic abilities allowed Peter to make everyone forget he is Spider-Man. This reset sets the stage for the new film's plot, which the review suggests has some inconsistencies that audiences must overlook.

The review implies that the film's success may hinge on the chemistry between Holland and Zendaya, who are also castmates in "Odyssey." The likely next steps involve how the franchise will handle Peter Parker's dual life now that his identity is secret again, and whether future installments will address the character's growth.