'Spider-Man: Brand New Day': 4 Things Parents Should Know before Seeing it

Brand New Day is the fourth Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland, following Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).

No Way Home – in case you forgot – ended with Doctor Strange casting a spell after Peter Parker's secret identity became known to the world. That spell, in turn, erased Peter from everyone's memory, including that of his girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya), and his best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon).

When Brand New Day opens, Parker finds himself completely alone. The world has forgotten who he is, and after the death of his Aunt May in No Way Home, he has no family left, either. He regularly visits the local florist to buy a fresh bouquet of flowers, placing it on her grave while remembering the woman who raised him.

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Parker may be lonely, but the metropolis he calls home, New York City, is enjoying a level of peace it hasn't seen in years. Crime is at a historic low – a television news anchor tells viewers – and Spider-Man's popularity has never been higher. Every kid wants to be like him.

That peace, though, doesn't last, as Spider-Man soon finds himself facing a villain unlike any he's ever encountered: a ghost-like entity that can possess one person after another, making it nearly impossible to stop.

Spider-Man first crosses paths with the mysterious foe while chasing a hijacked armored military vehicle through the crowded streets of the Big Apple, only to discover an unlikely culprit inside: a middle-aged woman who has no memory of how she got there. Moments later, the entity jumps from her to a security guard, then to an innocent bystander, and then to someone else. Every time Spider-Man catches the villain, it simply abandons one host and possesses another.

The villain's psychological games soon take a cruel turn when Peter's former girlfriend, MJ, appears to remember who he is. The two even share a kiss before Peter realizes it was all a deception, orchestrated by the villain to toy with his emotions. Moments later, MJ is herself again, with no memory of what happened.

A parallel storyline involves Spider-Man's own powers, which have begun fluctuating in unpredictable ways. Peter's spider abilities suddenly surge at the worst possible moments, causing him to lose control – and, in one instance, accidentally injure a police officer. Desperate for answers, Peter seeks out Dr. Bruce Banner, who has no memory of Peter either – the events of No Way Home erased him from Banner's mind as well – but he has spent years learning how to control the Hulk. Banner's discovery may hold the key to helping Spider-Man master his own unstable powers – and, perhaps, control those of villains, too.

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Brand New Day includes the typical superhero movie fare – countless punches, kicks, explosions, and gunshots – but it also features a few elements that may give parents pause.

Spider-Man's chief nemesis has powers that can be unsettling to watch on the big screen, as one person after another briefly appears possessed – convulsing for a second or two before returning to normal. (Imagine the “wave” at a football stadium, except the strange behavior moves from person to person instead of fans raising their arms.) Eventually, Spider-Man discovers the source of the mysterious power – described in the MCU as telepathy – but at first, he is powerless to stop it.

Coarse language is perhaps the biggest obstacle for families, with roughly twice as many profanities as No Way Home. Much of that comes from the foul-mouthed Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), who peppers his dialogue with frequent obscenities, including multiple uses of “GD” (see details below).

Finally, Brand New Day includes a pool scene that some parents may find uncomfortable. Spider-Man seeks information from the mysterious operative Yelena, only to find her relaxing in an indoor pool, possibly nude or partially nude, although she is visible only from the shoulders up. “Take off your clothes,” she tells Spider-Man, prompting him to strip down to his underwear while keeping his mask on. The moment doesn't appear intended to be sexual, but it is definitely awkward – even if she ultimately gives him the information he needs.

Parents should also note that MJ and Ned are portrayed as roommates despite not being romantically involved.

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Our natural desire for friendship begins early in life – often in a nursery or on a neighborhood playground, where we seek out someone who shares our interests or enjoys the same activities, or at the very least, someone who will be kind to us and whom we can be kind to in return. That longing for meaningful relationships continues through our school years and into adulthood, shaping our connections at work, church, and countless other places.

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense,” Proverbs 27:9 declares.

Simply put, life is better with friends. God wired us that way.

Brand New Day plays like a morality tale built around a haunting question: What if every close friend suddenly forgot who you were? And what if all those cherished memories you shared were remembered by you – and you alone?

Peter Parker crosses paths with MJ and Ned, but to them, he's just another stranger. He could try to build new friendships, but the pain of losing the old ones makes it difficult.

The value of friendship is also highlighted from the opposite perspective. A key pair of villains lament that they never had true friends to support them or keep them from going down a dark path. They envy the relationships Peter once enjoyed.

For families, this theme can spark meaningful conversations: Why are friendships so important? What qualities make someone a good friend? What does genuine friendship look like in an age of social media “friends”? And can the wrong friends lead us astray?

Brand New Day also raises other worthwhile discussion topics, including the difference between vengeance and justice. It even points to a broader question: Why are audiences so captivated by superhero stories? Perhaps it's because they reflect our God-given longing for justice, redemption, and the triumph of good over evil.

Brand New Day pushes unnecessary boundaries for families, but it nevertheless gives us a rare treat: a superhero movie with a fresh take on a villain, plenty of thrilling action, and an abundance of topics to discuss on the ride home.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and some language. Language: h-ll (10), GD (6), d–n (1), s–t (12), a– (5), misuse of “Jesus Christ” (1), single misuse of “God” (5), OMG (4), unfinished “mother.”

Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

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