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65% Avg. Tomatometer 117 Reviews 78% Avg. Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a...
- (117)
- Jon Bernthal
- TV-MA
- 2
68% Tomatometer 80 Reviews 88% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that...
- (80)
- November 17, 2017
- Jon Bernthal
- Binge with us!
- The Punisher: Every Movie and TV Appearance
- Best Marvel Netflix Team-Ups
- The Defenders: Every Cameo, Easter Egg & Marvel Reference
- Verdict
By David Griffin
Updated: Nov 21, 2017 8:41 pm
Posted: Nov 17, 2017 8:00 am
Now that Marvel's The Punisher is live on Netflix, please keep up with all of IGN's reviews as we complete them below. We'll be binging along with you to try to find out what happens with Frank Castle's story.
We've completed all of our individual episode reviews (see below) as well as our full season review.
Marvel's The Punisher: Episode 1 - "3 AM" Review (Spoiler-Free) - COMPLETED
It may not come as a surprise, but subtlety is not the show’s strongest suit. There are times when the show shouts its political overtones at the viewer, instead of hinting at them, like they need their characters to literally say “gun control” several times before it sinks in.
The Punisher does excel in the way it handles the issue of PTSD. Frank’s brothers at arms each deal with trauma in different ways. None of the veterans are exactly alike, which adds to their authenticity. The effects on Frank’s mind as a direct result of his violent lifestyle is explored in greater depth as the season progresses. The series is essentially a character study on what being exposed to violence can do to the human psyche. It’s a brutal exploration, but one worth taking.
Jon Bernthal proves that he can headline his own series. He gives an excellent performance as Frank Castle, which is a difficult role to play. In a single interaction, Bernthal can cover a wide range of emotions. When he’s about to kill his enemies, Frank is the scariest guy imaginable, but when he’s around Karen or someone else that he cares for, he’s a completely different person.
Like any good show, The Punisher wouldn’t be as good as it is without a talented supporting cast of characters to back it up. Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s (Girls) portrayal of David Lieberman (aka Micro) is incredible. His relationship with Castle is the glue that holds the series together. The unlikely pair is terrific every time they're on-screen.
Another actor that gives a standout performance is Daniel Webber (11.22.63). His portrayal of Lewis Walcott is dynamic. Watching him struggle to live his life outside of the military is a difficult reminder that many of the problems showcased in The Punisher are very real.
The Punisher does stumble in its depiction of the Homeland Security team, led by Agent Dinah Madani and her partner Sam Stein. At times, they feel like they’re part of another show entirely. Madani and Stein rarely get a chance to do anything interesting, which is a shame, since they are both skilled actors.
There’s also the issue of Karen Page. Deborah Ann Woll (Daredevil) and Bernthal established that they have chemistry back in Daredevil Season 2, but most of her story here feels forced. The Punisher works so well on its own that it’s easy to forget that it’s part of a larger franchise. Karen is acting as this show’s Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson). Sure, Frank will presumably work alongside the rest of the Netflix superhero gang, but there’s no need to remind the viewers of that with Karen’s cameos.
Those few quibbles aside, Marvel’s The Punisher does a great job of building its own unique world away from The Defenders. If you can handle the violence, then The Punisher is worth your time.
Marvel’s The Punisher is a great addition to the Netflix superhero catalog. The show is elevated by strong performances from Bernthal and the supporting cast. Its fearless approach to tackling tough political issues doesn’t always work, but it’s an admirable try. Even in its weaker moments, the series never goes completely off the rails.
If there's one word to describe The Punisher it would have to be...awesome! It's one of the most gritty, violent thrillers I've ever seen! There have been a bunch of different versions of The Punisher over the years but Jon Bernthal is absolutely, without a doubt, the best ever and it's not close!
- (265K)
- 2017-11-17
- Action, Crime, Drama
- 60
Nov 17, 2017 · Full Review | Jan 15, 2019. Sherin Nicole idobi.com. The Punisher takes on notes of revenge films and explorations of veteran trauma. These genres add a bleakness to the story of Frank Castle...
Nov 17, 2017 · Created By: Steve Lightfoot. Marvel's The Punisher. Season 1 Premiere: Nov 17, 2017. Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 26 Critic Reviews. 55. User Score Generally Favorable Based on 1,218 User Ratings. 7.7. My Score. Hover and click to give a rating. Add My Review. Where to Watch. Netflix (Subscription required) All Watch Options. All Seasons.
Nov 13, 2017 · Coming off of a fantastic run on The Walking Dead and remarkable supporting turns in The Wolf of Wall Street and Sicario, Bernthal grounded the character as a victim of trauma who was easily pushed...
