Daredevil

Daredevil

Year: 2003

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Budget: $78M

ActionSci-FiThrillerFantasyCrime

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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Timeline & Setting – Daredevil (2003)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Daredevil (2003). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hell's Kitchen, New York City

Hell's Kitchen is a vibrant neighborhood located on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and contemporary artistic scene. It has undergone significant transformation over the years, evolving from a gritty area filled with crime to a hotspot for restaurants, theaters, and nightlife.

🏙️ Cityscape 🏢 Urban Life

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

Main Characters – Daredevil (2003)

Meet the key characters of Daredevil (2003), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Matt Murdock / Daredevil (Ben Affleck)

As a visually impaired attorney, Matt Murdock exhibits immense resilience and intelligence, showcasing his strong moral compass as he advocates for justice. His dual life as Daredevil allows him to confront the very threats plaguing his neighborhood, yet he struggles with guilt and loss, especially related to his past and the people he loves.

💪 Hero 🥋 Martial Artist 🕵️‍♂️ Lawyer

Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner)

Elektra is a skilled fighter and the daughter of a businessman, embodying strength and independence. Her journey intertwines with Matt's as their romance develops amidst the backdrop of crime and danger. Ultimately, her quest for vengeance and her relationship with Matt further complicate her character's motivations.

❤️ Love Interest 🥋 Warrior

Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) (Michael Clarke Duncan)

Kingpin stands as a formidable antagonist, showcasing ruthlessness and strategic genius in his quest for power. A crime lord with a complex history, he represents the darker side of wealth and control. His antagonism drives the conflict in the story, directly affecting Matt and Elektra's lives.

💼 Villain 🏢 Gangster

Bullseye (Colin Farrell)

Bullseye is portrayed as a lethal hitman with an unparalleled skill for precision; his character embodies chaos and danger. As the primary antagonist, he presents a significant threat to Matt and Elektra, adding tension and urgency to the narrative. His relentless pursuit of his targets showcases his cold-blooded nature.

🔫 Assassin 🩸 Threat

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

Major Themes – Daredevil (2003)

Explore the central themes of Daredevil (2003), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The theme of justice permeates throughout the movie as Matt Murdock struggles with his dual identity as both a lawyer and a vigilante. Determined to protect the vulnerable citizens of Hell's Kitchen, he embodies a moral crusade against crime, grappling with the legal and ethical implications of his actions. His journey highlights the fine line between law and vigilantism.

💔 Love and Loss

Matt's romantic relationship with Elektra showcases the theme of love intertwined with tragedy. Their bond deepens amidst chaos and danger, only to be shattered by loss and betrayal. This emotional turmoil drives Matt's character development, forcing him to confront both his feelings for Elektra and the consequences of his secret life.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Gritty vigilante thrillers like Daredevil

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.

grittynoirvengefulbroodingurban decayviolent justicemorally conflicted

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

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.

Movies with bittersweet endings like Daredevil

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.

tragicbittersweetsacrificeheavylossredemptivemorally gray

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Daredevil

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.

Daredevil Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Daredevil, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Daredevil Summary

Daredevil Timeline

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.

Daredevil Timeline

Daredevil Spoiler-Free Summary

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.

Daredevil Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Daredevil

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Daredevil: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Daredevil

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Discover movies like Daredevil that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.