DAREDEVIL
An exciting superhero story where justice must overcome revenge.
Should You Watch It?
DAREDEVIL is an exciting popcorn movie with personal jeopardy, meaningful conflict, and a clear moral premise: justice overcomes revenge. Its Christian perspective is strong, especially in the hero’s relationship with his priest and in the way the story rejects revenge as a satisfying answer.
The movie is less family-friendly than SPIDER-MAN. Very strong action violence, some blood, foul language, implied intercourse, and dark Romantic, pagan, and satanic elements make it a discernment-level choice rather than an easy family night.
If your middle schooler or older child can handle those concerns, DAREDEVIL offers worthwhile moral conflict and well-done action. For younger children, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMatthew Murdock is blind, but an accident has given his other senses superhuman strength. By day, he works as a lawyer for the little guy. By night, he becomes Daredevil, fighting criminals who escape the legal system.
As Daredevil pursues the city’s criminal underworld, he encounters Elektra, the daughter of a Greek tycoon, and crosses paths with the dangerous Bullseye and the mysterious Kingpin. Matt must decide whether his mission is really justice—or revenge.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a good but imperfect comic-book action movie. The action sequences in the second half are well done, and the film is full of personal jeopardy and conflict.
Ben Affleck gives one of his more convincing performances as Matt/Daredevil. Jennifer Garner, Michael Clarke Duncan, Colin Farrell, and David Keith provide fine support. The dialogue, especially in the first half, can be corny, and the movie wears its comic-book roots openly. Still, the old-fashioned moral qualities in Matt’s relationships with his father and priest give the popcorn entertainment a meaningful center.
The Worldview
DAREDEVIL has a strong Christian worldview and strong moral elements. Its central premise is that justice overcomes revenge. Matt’s father asks forgiveness and repents of his criminal activity. Matt later confesses his own sins to his Catholic priest, listens to his priest’s admonitions, and learns that revenge will not satisfy the soul.
The film also presents a Christian perspective through its church setting, crucifix imagery, confession, and encouragement to “have faith.” Its treatment of justice is biblical in its rejection of personal vengeance. However, the film’s Christian perspective is marred by Romantic, pagan, and satanic elements and symbols. These include the idea that human relationships save Matt’s soul, immoral sexual content, and Daredevil’s devil costume. At the end, Matt half-heartedly jokes that Daredevil is a “guardian devil.”
The film’s central longing is for justice rather than revenge. Scripture says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Christian worldview with strong moral elements about the triumph of justice and revenge being unsatisfying, including angry superhero goes to confession and gets good advice from a Roman Catholic priest and then tells the priest to have faith, although marred by some Romantic, pagan and satanic elements and symbols such as the saving power of human relationships, immoral sexual content and superhero wears devil costume; about 10 obscenities (including a few "s" and "a__" words), two strong profanities and eight light profanities; very strong action violence with a little bit too much blood includes villain throws small sharp objects to kill people, man pierced in chest by walking stick with sharp blades, heroine's hand pierced by small sword, man pierced in shoulder by small sword, wounded man's blood trickles down stained glass with Christian icons, train cuts man in half, martial arts fighting, boxing images, hero dodges gunfire, and death-defying leaps off tall buildings; implied fornication and couple caress in bed under covers; upper male nudity, female cleavage, implied female nudity, and nude statues with images of hands in inappropriate places; alcohol use; smoking; and, miscellaneous immorality, such as revenge rebuked, loan shark activity rebuked and gangsterism rebuked. GENRE: Action Adventure CC BB Ro Pa Ab LL VVV S N A D M
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Matt begins by seeking revenge against criminals. What is the difference between justice and personal vengeance?
Romans 12:19 · Micah 6:8Matt confesses his sins to his priest and receives moral guidance. Who helps you recognize when anger is becoming revenge?
Proverbs 27:5–6 · Galatians 6:1Matt is told that revenge will not satisfy the soul. Why does revenge fail to heal grief?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:12–13The film uses Christian symbols alongside darker spiritual imagery. How should Christians respond when a story mixes biblical ideas with other spiritual messages?
1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 · 1 John 4:1The Final Word
DAREDEVIL offers exciting action, meaningful conflict, and a strong moral premise, but its violence and darker content require discernment. For middle schoolers and up, WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP. For younger children, consider.
