[TCN Film Review] The Punisher: One Last Kill

At possibly his lowest point since losing his family, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) faces a backlash from his one-man war. Caught in a neighbourhood over run by gangs, and with a price on his head, Frank finds himself up against an army of criminals, killers and opportunists. All looking to end the Punisher’s blood-soaked campaign, and claim the big prize. But will it be enough?

Once again, Jon Bernthal – who takes on writing duties along with director Reinaldo Marcus Green – proves why he is the perfect man to play Frank Castle. Only here he shows us what happens to that one-man army when he loses his way. It is a truly mind-blowing performance, as a despondent and disillusioned Frank begins punishing himself. The scenes in which he confronts his many ghosts being surprisingly hard-hitting.

Of course, this is also the perfect time for one of those caught up in Frank’s wake to come looking for vengeance. It’s not particularly original in that regard, but it is more than worth it to see Frank explode in absolute fury when every criminal in the neighbourhood comes looking for him. One Last Kill is akin to Dirty Laundry – the Punisher short that saw Thomas Jane return to the role – as an under-equipped Frank dishes out some delightful brutality, in one giant action sequence.

It can actually be exhausting watching Frank live up to his name as he decimates what seems to be an unending legion of criminals. There’s something very John Wick about it. Reinaldo Marcus Green and his impressive team have gone all out to make everything look as real as possible. This includes Frank’s considerable struggles with PTSD, and a New York neighbourhood descended into chaos.

Right from the off, Green puts us in the middle of all the carnage. The whole thing feels unrelenting, like Frank really is in the fight of his life. Every confrontation is expertly choreographed, utilising minimal, almost unnoticeable CGI. Meaning it all looks amazing, and more than a little bit painful. Bad guys seem to come from all directions, and you find yourself cheering as Frank fights through pain and exhaustion to dispatch every one of them.

For reasons that become apparent, Frank is essentially living in a war zone – even before he unleashes himself upon the resident crims. The clever sound design not only heightens that sense that everything around Frank is falling apart – as well as his apparent indifference towards it – it adds to the disorientation brought about by the ghosts he carries with him. And when we catch up with him, the ghosts are very much winning.

There is one thing, however, that sets Bernthal’s Punisher apart from those that came before him. Something that allows him to channel his rage and his pain, and inflict it upon his enemies. What I can only think to describe as his war cry. That raw and emotional growl that comes from deep within Frank whenever he’s unleashed upon villains. Well it sounds even more raw and animalistic here, as Frank simply fights to survive, and punish those who dared to come after him.

The short runtime – One Last Kill is about 50 minutes long – certainly adds to the unrelenting intensity of Frank’s predicament. Slowly the tension builds as Frank wallows and anarchy takes hold, only for time to almost freeze as the villain emerges from the shadows. It’s odd to see Frank look scared, but after recognising the villain and hearing what they have in store, he actually does. The man with seemingly infinite will, who simply refuses to surrender, is left wrestling with what to do. Allowing Bernthal to show us a genuinely human side to the infamous vigilante, and just how lost he is.

Which, unsurprisingly, makes it all the more enjoyable to see him get back in the fight. With waves of killers coming at him, Frank must keep moving and utilise whatever he can get his hands on to fight them off. This battle across the neighbourhood is seamlessly stitched together, so that you can fully appreciate all the insanity and violence. Unfortunately, Frank’s essential rebirth – or at least his getting back on the horse – is over all too quickly. Maybe a longer runtime would have messed with the intensity, but I was definitely left wanting more from the Punisher’s return.

Despite feeling a bit like a pilot for an upcoming new Punisher show, One Last Kill works pretty well as a bridge between Daredevil: Born Again and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Although it’s too bad it didn’t tie more into the events of Born Again – specifically where season 1 left Frank. Seeing Frank go from R rated, blood-soaked glory to a slightly more family friendly vigilante in Brand New Day could also be a little weird. But overall it’s a pretty good setup for his first cinematic appearance.

That said, it is also a perfect standalone drama for both Frank Castle and his fans. One that delivers everything you’d expect and more from the man who set out to rain down punishment on those that would do harm to others. It is Frank at his most animalistic and unhinged, and thanks to some incredible filmmaking it all looks scarily real. But more importantly, it leaves something on the table. Some unfinished business for the Punisher to take care of. And I, for one, can’t wait to see him get to it.

Review Score: 9.5/10

The Punisher: One Last Kill is currently streaming on Disney+.