“Did You See It?” is a review column where we watch trending movies firsthand and share honest impressions and key highlights. <Editor’s Note>
[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “Brand New Day.” The title itself is a spoiler. “Spider-Man” is back, once again gripping his web and shouldering the weight of being a hero.

Set to open on the 29th, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has already surpassed 700,000 advance ticket sales just one day before its release, setting the highest advance ticket sales record of 2026. Returning five years after *No Way Home*, this new installment is a sequel that continues the “Tom-Spidey” (the Spider-Man series starring Tom Holland) universe. It is an action blockbuster that follows Peter Parker—forgotten by everyone—as he faces a mysterious enemy who remembers his true identity and confronts a new threat.
The central themes running through this film are “choice” and “responsibility.” The movie begins with Peter Parker’s daily life after being erased from the memories of his loved ones and left alone. A hero who has chosen solitude and hiding, and for whom smiling has become awkward. His only conversation partners are the AI “Ivy” and a detective.

“Coming of age” is, in fact, a cliché in Hollywood blockbusters. However, the “Spider-Man” series is an exception. The reason Spider-Man is so appealing is that he is always an “imperfect human”—far from perfect. Peter Parker’s naivety and innocence serve as the force that keeps him from turning into a monster. Aunt May’s lesson—“With great power comes great responsibility”—is deeply rooted within him.
In reality, the process by which a spider molts and becomes an adult is painful, but in the end, it gains its own power that no one can take away. The film gazes at this painful molting process with both calmness and intensity.

The actors’ performances provide a solid foundation for the film’s emotional arc. If I had to single out just one aspect of *Spider-Man: A Brand-New Day*, it would undoubtedly be Tom Holland’s gaze. Whether he’s looking at a loved one, feeling the need to protect them, or facing the reality that they don’t remember him, a single fleeting glance is enough to convincingly convey the film’s complex narrative. His chemistry with Zendaya—who is also his real-life partner—fills the screen with a sincerity that transcends acting, stirring the hearts of viewers.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton (*Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*) combines impactful handheld action with a sense of scale to create a visually expansive experience. A mysterious new character emerges, threatening Peter Parker’s past and identity, maintaining intense suspense right up to the film’s climax, while the keyword “V-Max” constantly piques the audience’s curiosity.
In addition, familiar faces such as Mark Ruffalo (as the Hulk), Jacob Batalon (as Ned), Michael Mando (as the Scorpion), and Jon Bernthal (as Frank), along with the MCU’s signature foreshadowing, are woven throughout the film, offering fans plenty to look forward to.

However, it’s hard to shake the impression that the narrative drags somewhat in the latter half, as the film introduces new characters and explains the expanded universe. There are also moments that feel like they were included solely as setup for the next phase of the MCU.
But any boredom is fleeting. Audiences who have long rooted for Peter Parker and his friends will find themselves smiling at the quintessential “Peter Parker-ness” that shines through even in the most tragic moments, and will soon find themselves deeply immersed in the tears he sheds.
It’s been a decade since Peter Parker first appeared in 2016’s *Avengers: Civil War*, followed by 2017’s *Homecoming*. The narrative of Peter Parker, built up by Tom Holland, reaches its most bittersweet yet dazzling conclusion in this film.
“Spider-Man: A Brand-New Day” goes beyond being a mere sequel to a superhero film; it is both a tribute to a hero we’ve grown up with over the past 10 years and a new starting point. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Runtime: 145 minutes. Opens July 29. Features one post-credits scene.