Frank Castle has always been a tough nut to crack on screen. Previous live-action versions—Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson—looked promising but devolved into generic vigilante shoot-'em-ups. Then Jon Bernthal arrived in Daredevil, bringing a raw, psychological depth to a man who knowingly becomes a monster. Yet now, Frank Castle feels stuck in the MCU, defined solely by his grief rather than any growth.
Netflix's The Punisher gave Frank a clear arc: revenge didn't erase his trauma, so he became a vigilante to prevent other families from suffering. But recent MCU outings keep circling back to that same inciting tragedy, as if his character has been reset. With Frank set to appear opposite Tom Holland's Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it's time for Bernthal's Punisher to finally move on.
Frank Castle Has Become a Derivative Character in the MCU
The problem with The Punisher: One Last Kill is that it feels like a step backward. Daredevil: Born Again showed Frank wary of inspiring copycat violence and motivated to be better for people like Karen Page. Yet the story keeps flashing back to his family's murder—a crutch that undermines Bernthal's ability to convey that pain through performance alone. Every MCU hero has tragedy, but constant flashbacks don't serve the narrative.
Frank's recent storylines seem to reverse his development without acknowledging how far he's come. He works best when allied with characters who challenge him, like Matt Murdock. There's no need for another solo adventure where he's morose and fatalistic. The audience needs to believe Frank genuinely wants to be a hero, not just occasionally do good when convenient. The current iteration seems afraid that humility and mercy make him weak, when in truth, containing his rage is a greater act of strength.
Jon Bernthal's Punisher Should Fit Into the Rest of the MCU
The most exciting recent moment for Frank came at the end of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, where he faced the consequences of his actions. The MCU should pair him with characters who have different experiences—teaming him with Spider-Man is a breath of fresh air. For that dynamic to work, Frank must be selfless enough to prioritize New York over his personal vendettas. Both characters were betrayed by mentors and lost family, offering rich subtext—but only if Frank shows he wants to move on.
The Punisher: One Last Kill isn't bad, but it reinforces that Frank can never fully retire in a violent world. He has a choice: commit to changing his philosophy, which could be one of the MCU's most fascinating character progressions, or remain a loner wallowing in misery. The latter isn't just pessimistic—it contradicts Marvel's themes of companionship and self-sacrifice. Bernthal's casting remains the best thing to happen to the Punisher, but Frank Castle can't stay in one gear forever. For more on Bernthal's career, check out Why Jon Bernthal's Unhinged 'Wolf of Wall Street' Role Is His Best Performance and Jon Bernthal's 'The Punisher: One Last Kill' Becomes Disney+ Sensation Ahead of 'Daredevil: Born Again' Spin-Off.
