The Punisher: One Last Kill has finally arrived as Marvel’s third Special Presentation event. Hotly anticipated following the climax of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2’s finale which raised the lingering question: “Where is Frank Castle?” The Punisher: One Last Kill’s placement within the MCU’s timeline stands as a controversial topic. But Daredevil: Born Again showrunner Dario Scardapane, who previously produced Netflix’s The Punisher series, teases that Jon Bernthal’s (The Bear) return as Frank Castle happens prior to and during the events of Born Again Season 2. Since One Last Kill’s announcement back in March, audiences have clamoured for more of Bernthal’s iconic gun-slinging anti-hero, but does it live up to the hype?
Possessing a sharp runtime of 44 minutes, without credits, audiences witness Frank Castle like never before. Netflix’s The Punisher (2017) found the titular character uncovering the murder of his family in a deranged, revenge-fuelled slaughter spree stained by betrayal. However, The Punisher: One Last Kill evolves the beloved vigilante into a more complex, nuanced and fractured iteration than previously seen. Crime lord Ma Gnucci (Judith Light), the only surviving member of the Gnucci crime family, seeks out bloody revenge against Castle for his murder of her family — a self-justified massacre on his continued campaign for retribution. During their confrontation, Ma Gnucci reveals the bounty she placed on Frank’s head, leading to a thrilling The Running Man-inspired game of life or death, as every nearby criminal seeks to take down The Punisher.
The opening seconds of Marvel’s latest special presentation indicates a thematic continuation of the morally flawed protagonist. Delivering a terrifying, yet brilliant, introspective into the splintered psyche of Frank Castle, audiences discover him at his lowest point yet. Haunted by visions of his family, and antagonized by the ghost of his friend Curtis Hoyle (Jason R. Moore), Frank battles against suicidal urges. He is begged by hallucinated pleas from his daughter not to give up, despite his wandering lack of purpose. Of course, it’s not long before the aforementioned Ma Gnucci debuts a new challenge and thrusts Frank back into the damning violence that leaves his mental state so fragile. Unsurprisingly, Bernthal, who co-wrote the project, utilizes the TV-MA rating to its fullest extent in this bludgeoning, action-packed adrenaline pumper.
After a tear-jerking opener, One Last Kill thrusts itself into the battle of Little Sicily. Castle’s insanity and uncontrollable rage ignites an unrelenting energy that fuels the special presentation with magnetic violence. Somehow, each punch thrown, gun fired and criminal killed feels visceral and unique. Choreographed with meticulous dedication, these sequences deliver an electric quest for survival that unravels Frank’s mission and forces character evolution, heroism and fresh purpose. An existence outside the past that haunts him, but an acceptance of his violent tendencies that can be used for good. In principle, a sub-50 minute, glorified episode presents threats of congestion and unearned messaging. And yet, reality succeeds with brutal delight. Whilst not perfect, One Last Kill offers an experience that positively milks every minute of screentime, and even offers more.
Tasked with catching new audiences up to speed, but simultaneously contributing a fresh narrative for the character, Marvel’s latest special presentation finds a near-perfect balance. Jon Bernthal transitions Frank Castle from broken man to saviour, signifying a new era for The Punisher that teases more to come. The hallucinations of his family spitting words of disappointment and hatred offers a bold insight into his mental collapse guaranteed to tug at audience’s emotions, even when the occasional moment sings oddly similarly to Bernthal’s famous “wait, wait, wait” meme. Given the neat runtime, what the special presentation accomplishes and allows viewers to feel is nothing short of brilliance. A resonance can be found within Frank’s purposeless self, the concept of being trapped inside one’s own mind but unable to find a way out.
Admittedly, The Punisher: One Last Kill isn’t exempt from criticism. In his final scene, Castle dons his famous trenchcoat and skull, marking his return of the controlled self. An ode to the original series that feels too familiar, having already been revisited in Daredevil: Born Again and likely his next appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day later this year, too — although with less gruesome violence. The return of The Punisher is a slight miss, but the accompanying return of Frank Castle saves this moment. ADR issues, an overly edgy soundtrack and one scene with questionable VFX — you already know which — prevent this release from excelling, pulling audiences out of their immersion, even if only briefly.
Overall however, The Punisher: One Last Kill should be considered an essential viewing for lovers of Bernthal’s anti-hero. Closer in personality to the Netflix run, with a few teething issues, but absent of Marvel Television’s consistent criticism of rushed narratives, One Last Kill achieves a blend of intoxicating action and exhilarating thrill. Bernthal’s Frank Castle rightfully deserves to be in conversation for a place on the Mount Rushmore of modern superhero storytelling, especially in regards to streaming landscapes. Maximizing entertainment out of a relatively simplistic narrative, One Last Kill reigns as a rare achievement of the MCU’s streaming adventures.
