Season Three pivots Daredevil away from mysticism and back to the mean streets.

Daredevil Season Three consciously steps away from the expansive introductory detours of the previous season, anchoring itself firmly in the conflict at the heart of Hell’s Kitchen: Matt Murdock versus Wilson Fisk, returning to a tighter focus, emphasising personal stakes, moral ambiguity, and psychological warfare rather than sprawling mystical diversions.

Picking up immediately after pseudo-supernatural shenanigans of The Defenders, Daredevil Season Three finds Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) physically and emotionally broken, hiding from the world and presumed dead by friends and enemies alike. Matt’s recovery unfolds against a backdrop of personal doubt and spiritual questioning, offering Charlie Cox a chance to deliver a nuanced portrayal that goes beyond mere vigilante bravado. His physical struggles mirror his internal turmoil, each confrontation serving as a reflection of his inner battle.

Under new showrunner Erik Oleson, Daredevil Season Three wisely trims the narrative fat left by its predecessor, ditching mystical digressions and cross-franchise clutter. Oleson strips things back to basics, refocusing the series on the gritty, noir-infused drama that made it stand out originally. The tighter storytelling breathes fresh life into the characters, offering clearer, sharper explorations of corruption, justice, and redemption without feeling overly constructed or forced.

Vincent D’Onofrio returns in full force as Wilson Fisk, reasserting himself as a calculating and chillingly persuasive antagonist. His meticulous manipulations of law enforcement, media, and public perception expand his influence, making him both terrifying and compelling. Integral to Fisk’s characterisation is the presence and influence of Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), whose return profoundly deepens his humanity and vulnerability. Her influence transforms Fisk’s motivations from purely ambitious to intensely personal, adding further layers of complexity and contradiction to his villainy. D’Onofrio ensures Fisk remains a fascinatingly nuanced figure – quiet menace and ruthless brutality undercut by a sincere yet twisted emotional core.

Wilson Bethel’s introduction as Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter adds further psychological depth to the series. Dex, portrayed as a disturbed individual teetering between morality and madness, offers an unsettling look at how vulnerability can be exploited into villainy. The tension and tragedy of his journey enhance the series without explicitly pushing him into his comic-book persona, Bullseye, though that identity looms ominously on the horizon.

Thankfully, Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) aren’t overlooked in the series’ streamlining of scope. In fact, each character receives expanded story arcs with Karen’s deeply personal exploration of her past and Foggy’s growth into a politically savvy figure strengthening their value to the series as fully realised individuals rather than merely foils for Matt’s legal and extra-judicial superheroics.

Ultimately, Daredevil Season Three rights the ship, delivering a compelling comic-book drama defined by strong performances and mature storytelling. It confidently returns to its original strengths, offering a grounded narrative that speaks for itself without overstating its achievements, leaving an enduring impression on Marvel’s storytelling landscape. Little wonder that when Disney+ turned its attention to the character of Daredevil, it realised the wisest way forward was to embrace the idiom: “Better the devil you know.”