The Punisher: One Last Kill is off to a solid start on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and fans both giving Jon Bernthal’s return as Frank Castle strong marks.
The Marvel Television Special Presentation currently has an 83% critics score and a 90% fan score.
For comparison, Daredevil: Born Again sits at 86% from critics and 83% from fans, while Netflix’s The Punisher has a 64% critics score and 79% fan score.
That puts One Last Kill ahead of Netflix’s The Punisher with critics and fans, while also beating Daredevil: Born Again with audiences.
The Punisher: One Last Kill Reviews Are Mostly Positive
The reviews point to a bloody, brutal, and emotional return for Bernthal’s Punisher.
Critics praise Bernthal’s performance, the violence, the action, and the special’s focus on Frank Castle’s grief and PTSD.
Several reviews also say One Last Kill feels less like a standard Marvel project and more like a grounded action thriller inside the MCU.
The Positive
The biggest praise is for Jon Bernthal.
Reviewers say Bernthal still owns the role and brings intensity, pain, and weight to Frank Castle. Several critics call his performance layered, committed, and one of the main reasons the special works.
The violence is also getting a lot of attention. Reviews compare One Last Kill to The Raid and John Wick, with critics calling it one of Marvel’s bloodiest and most brutal releases. Fans looking for an R-rated Punisher appear to be getting what they wanted.
The emotional side of the story is also landing with many reviewers. Positive reviews say the special digs into Frank’s trauma, grief, PTSD, and inability to live outside violence.
Several reviews also say One Last Kill works as a strong reintroduction for Frank Castle in the MCU, setting him up for whatever comes next, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The Negative
The negative reviews mostly argue that One Last Kill does not bring anything new to The Punisher.
Some critics say the special feels familiar, repetitive, or too close to the Netflix series without adding enough fresh material. Others say Marvel still seems unsure what to do with Frank Castle beyond putting him back into violent situations.
Another common complaint is the length. Some critics say the special feels too short or limited, with a few reviews saying it needed more time to flesh out Frank, the villain, or the larger story.
