The Devil of Hell's Kitchen has landed a critical hit. The fourth episode of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, titled "Gloves Off," has delivered an emotional and narrative punch powerful enough to tie a major Marvel Cinematic Universe record. The installment has achieved a stellar 9.5 rating on IMDb, matching the score held by Loki Season 2's acclaimed episode "Glorious Purpose." This places the gritty street-level drama among the absolute highest-rated chapters in the sprawling MCU franchise.
A Gut Punch That Resonates
From its acclaimed Netflix origins, the Daredevil series has built a reputation for brutal, one-take action sequences and deeply personal, emotional storytelling. Season 2 of Born Again continues this tradition, with Episode 4 serving as a devastating turning point. The episode deals a monumental loss to Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio), pushing the iconic villain toward a brutal point of no return. The consequences of this event promise to ripple through the remainder of the season, blurring the lines between hero and villain for both Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and his formidable foe.
The intense fan reaction to this pivotal moment was immediate and overwhelming, propelling the episode's IMDb score to an initial 9.6 before settling at its current, record-tying 9.5. This demonstrates the powerful connection the series maintains with its audience, who have followed the characters' journeys for years. The episode serves as a potent mid-season climax, with showrunner Dario Scardapane promising the ride is only going to get more intense.
Heading Toward a Defining Finale
Speaking about the season's trajectory, Scardapane teased that the story is accelerating "at 100 miles an hour to a very specific moment" by the finale. He hints at a morally complex conclusion that will leave audiences questioning traditional roles. "I think after Season 2 ends... the conversation should be like, 'Wow, that was a hell of a ride.' And then it should be like, who's the villain? Who's the hero?" Scardapane told Collider. "The consequences of both their decisions, I think, are really nuanced this year."
This record-breaking episode is a testament to the show's successful revival on Disney+, blending the mature tone fans loved with the expansive MCU canvas. It also sets a high bar for the upcoming return of Jon Bernthal's Punisher and other street-level stories. The achievement is particularly notable given the fierce competition within the MCU's Disney+ lineup, proving that Daredevil's brand of grounded, character-driven conflict continues to resonate powerfully.
What This Means for Marvel's Future
The audience's embrace of this darker, more psychologically complex chapter signals a strong appetite for mature storytelling within the MCU framework. It builds exciting momentum for the character's future, especially with rumors swirling about how events here might influence projects like the Thunderbolts film. Some theories even suggest Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's secret agenda could be directly impacted by the fallout from Hell's Kitchen.
For now, fans can revel in a certified hit. Episode 4 stands as a crowning achievement for the creative team and cast, particularly Cox and D'Onofrio, whose legendary rivalry reaches new heights. As the stars have teased, the game-changing finale is still to come. All episodes of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 are now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
