Disney+ Review – The Punisher: A Final Confrontation

      Ricky Church reviews Marvel Studios’ The Punisher: One Last Kill…

      Welcome back, Frank. Marvel Studios’ latest special presentation takes us once more into the harsh and traumatic world of Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the action-packed and character-driven The Punisher: One Last Kill. With Jon Bernthal returning to his beloved role, the special effectively highlights the anti-hero as he continues to grapple with severe PTSD and depression while searching for a new purpose in life.

      In a frenzy over a brief period, Frank finally eliminates the last remaining members of a crime family responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, the events that set him on his path to becoming The Punisher. As he endeavors to adapt to a life devoid of violence—haunted by memories and hallucinations of his loved ones—he descends deeper into depression, aimlessly drifting through life. It isn’t until the final surviving member of the crime family reveals that she has placed a bounty on Frank’s head, leading numerous hunters to his apartment complex, that he finds himself and those around him in danger. To safeguard himself and his neighbors, he must once again don the skull and embrace his role as The Punisher.

      The narrative is relatively straightforward, having shown Frank struggling with his desire to be The Punisher and contemplating retirement on multiple occasions throughout the original Netflix Punisher series and Daredevil: Born Again. The specific timing of this story raises some confusion regarding whether it occurs before the first season of Born Again—since Frank has a prominent beard—or afterward, when he is clean-shaven and re-committed to his mission (I prefer to believe it takes place before unless Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green clarify otherwise). Although we've witnessed hits and bounties on Frank before, this one feels significantly more personal and menacing due to the extensive risk posed to innocent bystanders caught in the chaos.

      While the timeline issue and the thin plot may detract slightly from the special, Bernthal’s performance powerfully conveys Frank’s crippling mental state. The hallucinations of his family and former comrades, featuring Jason R. Moore and Kelli Barrett reprising their roles as Curtis Hoyle and Maria Castle, allow Bernthal to adeptly illustrate Frank’s deteriorating condition now that he has seemingly avenged his family's murders once and for all. He effectively reminds us of Frank's tragic nature and the suffering he has endured before plunging back into the brutality of battle.

      And an intense battle it is, as the latter half of the episode incorporates elements from films like Assault on Precinct 13, The Raid, and Dredd, with Ma Gnucci, the matriarch and last surviving member of the Gnucci crime family, transforming Frank’s apartment complex into a battleground as young gang members, already wreaking havoc on the streets, swarm in to eliminate him. Judith Light crafts a memorable portrayal of Ma in her limited screen time, creating an intriguing parallel with Frank as two vengeful survivors motivated by the desire to avenge their loved ones by any means necessary—though Ma’s perspective is notably different as she idealizes her sons as a principled cop and someone who values sexual consent, despite the risk she imposes on all the families in the complex.

      The action sequences are, pun intended, impressively executed; the camera work, choreography, and stunts are top-notch, providing the audience a clear sense of movement amidst the fighters with minimal cuts as Frank navigates through rooms, balconies, and rooftops. The action emphasizes Frank’s brutal nature alongside his tactical intellect through small details, like how he consistently checks the clip of a weapon taken from a fallen adversary or neutralizes multiple enemies with limited resources. Notably, during the chaotic fight, Frank often goes out of his way to rescue residents who are being assaulted or threatened by gangsters, illustrating that despite his thirst for blood and rage, killing bad guys isn’t his sole focus. This trait opens up intriguing possibilities for future stories as Frank allows Ma to escape in order to protect the family of a local café and bakery owner.

      The Punisher: One Last Kill, co-written by Bernthal and Green, shines a light on one of the MCU's most compelling and tragic characters, demonstrating their, particularly Bernthal’s, deep understanding of the complexity of his character beyond his violent tendencies. While the plot may be thin and the concept of Frank stepping back might feel somewhat stale, the writing from Bernthal and Green compensates for it, and Green’s direction of the action is thrilling, intense, and beautifully shot, likely to please Punisher fans, especially as this special and Bernthal's upcoming role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day raises the possibility of more Punisher stories of this quality in the future.

      Rating: 7/10

      Ricky Church