Daredevil's fights are legendary for reason.
They're not superhero battles. They're brutal, exhausting, human confrontations where Matt takes as much damage as he dishes out.
Born Again had massive expectations to meet. How do its fight scenes stack up?
- Choreography quality
- Emotional stakes
- Technical execution
- Narrative impact
- Rewatchability
Here's every major fight ranked from good to legendary.
Honorable Mentions
Before the top fights, some worthy scenes.
Rooftop Pursuit (Episode 3): A chase sequence that transitions into combat. Shows Matt's parkour skills alongside his fighting.
Karen's Defense (Episode 5): Brief but effective. Karen Page proves she's not helpless.
Foggy's Stand (Episode 7): Not combat exactly, but Foggy confronting danger deserves mention.
Bar Fight (Episode 2): Classic barroom brawl. Nothing fancy, just effective.
These scenes work but don't reach the heights of Born Again's best moments.
#5: The Warehouse Sequence
Episode: 4 Length: Approximately 3 minutes Stakes: Rescuing hostages from Fisk's men
Why It Works: Classic Daredevil setup—outnumbered in confined space. The lighting (minimal, practical) forces creative choreography.
Technical Achievement: Appears to be two extended takes stitched together. The camera work creates claustrophobic intensity.
Standout Moment: Matt using the environment—pipes, crates, doorways—as weapons and shields.
Compared to Netflix: Reminiscent of Season 2's prison sequence but with higher production value.
Rating: Excellent
#4: Punisher Team-Up
Episode: 8 Length: Approximately 5 minutes Stakes: Taking down a major operation
Why It Works: Frank Castle and Matt Murdock fighting together creates fascinating contrast. Daredevil incapacitates; Punisher eliminates.
Technical Achievement: Coordinating two fighting styles required extensive choreography planning. Jon Bernthal and Charlie Cox trained together for weeks.
Standout Moment: A moment where Matt stops Frank from killing—while they're both mid-fight. Character in action.
Compared to Netflix: Their fights were usually against each other. Fighting together is the evolution.
Rating: Exceptional
#3: The Stairwell
Episode: 6 Length: Approximately 4 minutes Stakes: Escaping Fisk's trap
Why It Works: Vertical fighting creates unique challenges. Matt moves up while enemies come from above and below.
Technical Achievement: Filming on actual stairs (not greenscreen) required precise timing. Stunt performers worked in genuinely dangerous conditions.
Standout Moment: Matt throwing himself down a flight to take out multiple enemies. Controlled chaos.
Compared to Netflix: The Season 2 stairwell scene was good. This expands the concept significantly.
Rating: Exceptional
#2: Kingpin Confrontation
Episode: 9 Length: Approximately 6 minutes Stakes: Final confrontation with Fisk
Why It Works: This isn't just choreography. It's the culmination of character conflict. Every punch carries history.
Technical Achievement: Vincent D'Onofrio performed more of his own action than in Netflix. His size makes every movement threatening.
Standout Moment: Fisk picking Matt up and throwing him through a wall. Ragdoll physics, practical effects.
Compared to Netflix: Their Season 3 fight was legendary. This meets that standard.
Rating: Masterful
#1: The Hallway (Episode 4)
Episode: 4 Length: Approximately 7 minutes Stakes: Everything
Why It's #1: Born Again knew it had to deliver a hallway fight. The Netflix original's single-take sequence changed television action. This had to honor and evolve that legacy.
What They Did: A longer, more complex sequence. Multiple floors. More enemies. Weapons variety. And yes, it appears to be one take.
Technical Achievement: Months of rehearsal. The stunt team called it the most demanding sequence they've ever filmed. Charlie Cox performed approximately 80% of the choreography himself.
Standout Moment: A beat where Matt pauses, exhausted, and we see him decide to keep going. Character within spectacle.
Compared to Netflix: The original hallway fight was simpler and arguably more shocking. This is more ambitious and technically accomplished. Different achievements.
Rating: Legendary
The hallway fight tradition continues—and arguably improves.