2026 is shaping up to be a monster year at the box office, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey dominating conversations. Both blockbusters feature Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal in key roles, but long before they shared the screen in the MCU or on the high seas, the duo teamed up for a far grittier, blood-soaked epic that most fans have never seen.
That film is Pilgrimage, a 2017 medieval drama set in 13th-century Ireland. It follows a group of monks, including the young Brother Diarmuid (Holland), who are tasked with transporting a sacred relic to Rome. Their journey is fraught with danger, especially when a ruthless Norman knight named Raymond de Merville (Richard Armitage) and his men come hunting for the relic. Fortunately, the monks have a secret weapon: a mute warrior (Bernthal) whose fighting prowess is as terrifying as it is effective.
A Brutal Meditation on Faith
Director Brendan Muldowney doesn't shy away from the violence of the era. Pilgrimage is a visceral, unflinching look at what people will do in the name of belief. The mute warrior, played with raw physicality by Bernthal, is a force of nature, dispatching enemies with a ferocity that leaves little to the imagination. But beneath the bloodshed lies a deeper exploration of faith—what it means to believe, and the lengths people will go to protect or exploit that belief.
Muldowney, who grew up in a society heavily influenced by the church, has spoken about the film's themes. "I think that themes dealing with faith and a belief in God are always relevant and never go out of date," he said. "I was brought up in a country that still had the church very firmly in control of society. Not so much now, but I saw the use of fear to control, and I also witnessed hypocrisy as certain revelations came to light in recent years."
Holland and Bernthal's Breakout Performances
While the action is gripping, it's the performances that make Pilgrimage worth revisiting. Bernthal, known for his intense roles, delivers a career-best turn as the mute warrior. With no dialogue, he relies on his body language and expressive eyes to convey a range of emotions—from quiet contemplation to explosive rage. It's a masterclass in physical acting.
Holland, meanwhile, shows early signs of the range that would later define his career. As Brother Diarmuid, he starts as a devout monk but gradually questions his beliefs, ultimately rejecting the relic in a powerful character arc. It's a nuanced performance that proves Holland was more than just a young actor with acrobatic skills—he was a talent to watch.
A Shared Path to the MCU
Interestingly, Pilgrimage played a pivotal role in both actors' journeys to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While filming, Bernthal was auditioning for the role of Frank Castle (The Punisher), and Holland was in the running to play Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War. Bernthal even offered Holland some advice on how to impress the casting directors, suggesting he show off his athletic abilities. Holland took the advice and landed the iconic role.
Nearly a decade later, the two reunited in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, where their dynamic is a stark contrast to Pilgrimage. In the MCU, Bernthal's Punisher is a man of many words, while Holland's Peter Parker is more confident and seasoned. But the underlying tension between their characters—one driven by violence, the other by morality—echoes their earlier collaboration.
For fans of Spider-Man villains or those curious about Andrew Garfield's take on the web-slinger, Pilgrimage offers a fascinating glimpse into the early careers of two of Hollywood's biggest stars. It's a gritty, thought-provoking epic that deserves a spot on your watchlist.
You can stream Pilgrimage now on Pluto TV.
