Bernthal Returns as Punisher in Disney+ Special May 12

Jon Bernthal reprises his role as Frank Castle, the vigilante known as The Punisher, in the Marvel special "The Punisher: One Last Kill," which begins streaming on Disney+ on May 12.

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who co-wrote the screenplay with Bernthal, the 44- to 60-minute production picks up after events in "Daredevil: Born Again" Season 1. It follows Castle as he grapples with hopelessness and questions his identity, attempting to move beyond vengeance only to be drawn back into violence by a criminal threat. The story explores his military past, trauma and rage, blending intense action sequences with introspective moments. Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum described it as "a shotgun blast of a story, but also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story."

Early critic reactions, shared after the social media embargo lifted, praised Bernthal's visceral performance and the special's gritty, TV-MA-rated action, often compared to "John Wick" and "The Raid." One viewer called it "a short but sweet day in the life of Frank Castle" with "top notch" fights and character moments centered on his search for purpose. Another noted it "feels like...