The Punisher: One Last Kill Is a Bummer, But the Dog Makes It Worthwhile

A Disappointing Entry into the MCU

The Punisher: One Last Kill was a difficult watch, and not in a good way. This Marvel special, available to stream on Disney+, left me feeling underwhelmed. It wasn’t just the story that failed to engage me—it was the entire experience of watching it. The show picks up with Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) at his lowest point, which is typical for a Punisher story. However, since this special is clearly meant to set up the character’s transition into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I expected something more compelling. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver.

If you haven’t seen The Punisher: One Last Kill or Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and don’t want to be spoiled, you might want to stop reading here, as I’ll be revealing several key plot points.

The Dog That Broke My Heart

One of the most jarring moments in the show was the introduction of the dog. A Broadway legend, John Douglas Thompson, plays a homeless veteran who has a cute dog. The dog is brutally attacked by a gang of thugs, and the scene ends with one of them throwing the poor animal into traffic. This moment likely caused many viewers to turn off the show. I understand the sentiment—no one wants to see an innocent animal harmed. I felt the same way.

However, what upset me even more was the unnecessary brutality of the scene. There was no need to kill the dog to make a point. The gang could have simply beaten the man up and stolen his Marine Corps hat. Adding the dog’s death felt like a cheap tactic to generate sympathy for the character and highlight the villain’s cruelty. This kind of manipulation is something I find frustrating, especially when it isn’t necessary. I didn’t turn the show off, but I was immediately wary of what was to come.

A Bummer of a Story and a Confusing Experience

The story of Frank finding purpose is, as I mentioned, typically a bummer. Everything about Frank Castle is hard to watch, and Jon Bernthal nails this aspect of the character. Every time he relives the death of his family is heartbreaking, and this show is no different. We see Frank breaking down repeatedly from the trauma of their murders, and it’s emotionally draining.

I expected all of this, but what surprised me was how much of a bummer the show was outside of the plot itself. The timeline was confusing, to say the least. It never really established where it fits within the Daredevil corner of the MCU, let alone the larger MCU timeline. Presumably, this story takes place after the events of Daredevil: Born Again, but there are no clear cues or clues to confirm this. It also seems to take place before the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is set to hit theaters in 2026. Again, there’s nothing in the show that confirms this.

Too Short and Underwhelming

Finally, the special was just too short. It ended right as it seemed like it should be beginning. It felt more like a season premiere than a complete story. It reminded me of those early MCU shorts that were used to bridge gaps between movies and superheroes. In this case, it seems to be bridging the gap between The Punisher TV show from almost a decade ago and Brand New Day, which makes sense. However, it still felt hollow.

Despite these issues, I’m not less excited about Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in the MCU. I’m still looking forward to seeing how the character will fit into the larger universe.