The Punisher: One Last Kill Review

The Punisher: One Last Kill is now streaming on Disney+, marking Jon Bernthal’s return to the forefront of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). After his conspicuous absence from Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Frank Castle finally steps out of the shadows. While that absence may have contributed to the second season falling short of its predecessor’s standard, this 2026 special presentation offers a silver lining for fans craving visceral action.

If you want to watch Frank Castle wrestle with his demons and dismantle criminal organizations, this short film delivers. However, viewers expecting a radically different interpretation of the character compared to previous MCU projects might find themselves slightly disappointed. Instead, it doubles down on a familiar, albeit intense, version of the vigilante.

A Standalone Tale in the MCU

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who also co-wrote the teleplay alongside Bernthal, One Last Kill reunites the actor with the creative team behind We Own This City. The cast features returning Punisher TV series veteran Jason R. Moore as Frank’s old comrade Curtis Hoyle, along with Judith Light as a new character who enters Frank’s orbit.

The narrative is set after Frank’s escape in the post-credits scene of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1. While one might assume Frank would immediately resume his vendetta against Mayor Wilson Fisk and the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, the plot takes a different turn. Frank primarily dwells on his past when processing the grief of his family’s death, rather than chasing immediate revenge.

Consequently, there is precious little connective tissue between this special and Born Again, or most other MCU projects for that matter. Fans could jump straight from the end of the original Netflix series to this short and miss almost nothing. While this creates a missed opportunity for continuity, it allows the film to stand as a solid, standalone Punisher tale without unnecessary baggage.

Bernthal Carries the Weight

The film’s 45-minute format is arguably its greatest asset. In the previous Netflix show, long stretches of downtime often occurred while Frank hid in his base or Matt Murdock’s apartment. Here, there is no time to stop and "navel-gaze" before the next violent encounter. This pacing results in a lean, mean action romp through a seedy corner of MCU New York.

Green’s direction brings a visually dynamic flair, blending influences from:

  • The Raid: Featuring a prolonged, gritty shootout in a decrepit apartment complex.
  • John Wick: Offering high-octane, choreographed combat.
  • Video Games: Frank cycles through weapons and loots fallen enemies with a mechanic reminiscent of modern shooters.

The plot serves merely as a vehicle to move Frank from point A to point B, transitioning from one blood-soaked encounter to the next. Unsurprisingly, the film leans heavily on Bernthal to carry the emotional and physical load, and he delivers a magnetic performance.

Early scenes focus on Frank marinating in a psychological mix of misery and paranoia, echoing the opening of Apocalypse Now. As the film progresses, that rage surges, allowing Frank to single-handedly dismantle the entirety of Little Sicily in an orgy of violence. It is effectively a one-man show, and Bernthal shoulders that burden with ease.

The MCU’s Frank Castle: Familiar, Yet Flawed

Despite the visual improvements, One Last Kill does not offer a dramatic departure from the character we saw in the Netflix era. We are once again faced with a Frank Castle caught between boundless rage and a desire for redemption. It feels as though the MCU’s Punisher has hovered on the brink of retirement for most of his decade-long existence.

Critics often point out that the MCU’s Frank Castle diverges significantly from the classic comic book source material. In the hands of creators like Garth Ennis, Frank Castle is a stoic, granite-slab figure propelled by cold fury and an unwavering mission. In contrast, the MCU version is a frenetic, pill-addicted ball of anger and machismo who requires periodic reminders of his purpose. Bernthal’s performance often feels more like Wolverine than Frank Castle, but the MCU has firmly committed to this vision, and One Last Kill adheres to it strictly.

The supporting cast, including Moore’s Curtis Hoyle, primarily exists to voice Frank’s internal struggles. Judith Light is compelling in her limited scenes, but her character is underutilized and largely forgotten by the film’s end. For everyone outside of Frank Castle, the special shows only a passing interest. Ultimately, while it lacks innovation, The Punisher: One Last Kill works as a tight, action-packed short that highlights Bernthal’s enduring commitment to the role.