Year: 2003
Runtime: 103 min
Language: English
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Budget: $78M
Haunted by a childhood accident that left him blind, Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses to fight crime in New York City. By day, he's a lawyer, but by night, he becomes the masked vigilante Daredevil. When powerful crime lord Wilson Fisk targets him, employing the dangerous assassin Bullseye, Murdock must rely on his instincts to expose a conspiracy and protect those around him, even if it means confronting unexpected betrayals.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Daredevil (2003), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Matt Murdock, portrayed by Ben Affleck, is a visually impaired attorney navigating the tough landscape of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. Alongside his supportive best friend, Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, Matt runs a law firm dedicated to helping the vulnerable citizens of the area. Matt’s blindness is the result of a childhood accident caused by a toxic waste spill while he was returning home from school. This incident not only took his sight but also heightened his remaining senses, granting him a unique sonar ability that lets him “see” through sound vibrations.
Haunted by the guilt from his father’s tragic circumstances—Jack “The Devil” Murdock, a former boxer turned enforcer who met his end after refusing to throw a fight for a mobster—Matt takes on the vigilante persona of “Daredevil,” swearing to rid his neighborhood of crime.
As his tale unfolds, Matt encounters Elektra Natchios, played by Jennifer Garner, the daughter of businessman Nikolas Natchios, who is entangled with the powerful and ruthless Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, brought to life by Michael Clarke Duncan. When Nikolas attempts to sever ties with Fisk, the crime lord sends the lethal hitman Bullseye, performed by Colin Farrell, after him. Amidst this rising turmoil, a heartfelt bond develops between Matt and Elektra, blossoming into romance, although Matt conceals his secret life as a crime-fighter from her.
Their connection deepens on a rooftop adorned with an enchanting view of the city, where Matt inquires about Elektra’s necklace, opting for an exchange written in Braille rather than English. As he takes on cases for the defenseless in Hell’s Kitchen, he begins to recognize the underlying corruption perpetrated by wealthy criminals under the Kingpin’s protection. A fateful party invites trouble, as Kingpin sends a private threat to Nikolas, who, with Elektra, barely escapes before being pursued by Bullseye.
In a devastating turn of events, Matt attempts to intervene, but Bullseye’s ruthless precision results in Nikolas’s death, framing Matt as the culprit. Elektra, witnessing only Daredevil at the scene, swears vengeance. Meanwhile, journalist Ben Urich uncovers Matt’s secret identity. Forewarned that Bullseye is targeting Elektra next, Matt embarks on a quest to protect her.
However, Elektra, armed with her own martial arts skills, seeks to confront Bullseye herself. In a heart-wrenching confrontation, she learns Matt’s true identity but ultimately falls victim to Bullseye’s overpowering might. After sustaining injuries, Matt finds refuge in a church, where Father Everett, his confidant who knows his dual identity, tends to him.
Once he manages to recover, a showdown with Bullseye ensues in the church. As Bullseye discovers that loud noises intensify Matt’s vulnerability, he readies a brutal attack. Yet, in a twist of fate, Matt utilizes his enhanced senses to dodge a bullet aimed at him and redirect Bullseye’s own weapon against him. After a climactic battle, Matt confronts Fisk in his office. The Kingpin proves to be a formidable foe, leveraging his sheer physicality. Yet, fueled by his rage over the lost loved ones and the injustice they faced, Matt taps into his strength and confronts Fisk, ultimately opting to hand him over to the authorities rather than taking revenge.
In the aftermath, Matt grapples with his heartache from losing Elektra while finding solace in the possibility that she may still be alive. The discovery of a necklace resembling one belonging to Elektra’s mother, inscribed in Braille, ignites a flicker of hope. A final meeting with Urich provides reassurance that his secret will remain protected, allowing Matt to continue his fight for justice without fear of exposure.
As the credits roll, a mid-credits scene reveals Bullseye—bandaged and sequestered in a prison hospital—still possessing his deadly accuracy as he effortlessly impales a fly with a syringe, hinting that his lethal skills remain undiminished.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:26
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Brooding heroes dispensing brutal justice in the crime-ridden city night.If you enjoyed the dark, street-level justice of Daredevil, explore more movies like it. This thread features similar stories of brooding heroes, corrupt urban landscapes, and the heavy toll of vigilantism.
These narratives often follow a skilled but troubled individual, haunted by past trauma, who adopts a masked persona to fight a pervasive urban crime element. Their journey is as much an internal battle with their own morality as it is an external battle against powerful villains, frequently leading to personal sacrifice.
Movies in this thread share a distinct noir-influenced aesthetic, a dark and vengeful tone, and a focus on the psychological and physical toll of being a lone warrior against systemic crime. They deliver a mix of intense action and brooding character drama.
Where saving the day comes at a profound and painful personal cost.For viewers who appreciated the emotionally heavy, costly victory in Daredevil. Discover similar movies where heroes win the battle but endure deep personal loss, creating a powerful and bittersweet conclusion.
The plot typically builds towards a climactic confrontation where the hero defeats the primary antagonist. However, this victory is paired with the death of a loved one, a shattered relationship, or a permanent physical or psychological scar, resulting in an ending that is more about survival and resilience than pure celebration.
This thread groups films based on their emotional payoff—specifically, a bittersweet ending where success is tempered by tragedy. They share a heavy emotional weight and explore themes of sacrifice, making the hero's journey feel more grounded and poignant.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Daredevil in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Daredevil is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Daredevil with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Daredevil. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Daredevil that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
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