Daredevil poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jon Favreau ... see more see more... , Joe Pantoliano , Ellen Pompeo , David Keith , Erick Avari , Paul Ben-Victor , Derrick O'Connor , Leland Orser , Scott Terra , Pat Crawford Brown , Jude Ciccolella , Greg Collins , David Doty , Stefanos Miltsakakis , John Rothman , Kane Hodder , Kevin Smith , Robert Iler , Dan Brinkle , Louis Bernstein , Frankie Jay Allison , Lennie Loftin , Chad Christopher Tucker , Ron Mathews , Josie DiVincenzo , Casey McCarthy , Joe J. Garcia , John S. Bakas , Sonya Didenko , Lakeith S. Evans , Jim Fitzgerald , Carrie Geiben , Albert Gutierrez , Jamie Mahoney , Bruce Mibach , Jorge Noa , Jeff Padilla , Christopher Prescott , Ari Randall , Jackie Reiss , Greg "Christopher" Smith , Luke Strode , Levett M. Washington , Daniel B. Wing , Jorn H. Winther

One of Marvel Comics' most popular characters comes to the screen for the first time in this sci-fi action-thriller. Matthew Murdock (Ben Affleck) is a lawyer whose father, a prizefighter, was killed ... read more read more...by gangsters when Murdock was just a boy. Since then, Murdock has devoted his life to bringing wrongdoers to justice and is willing to help others by taking on cases no other attorney will touch. Murdock is also blind, after being struck down by a truck while trying to save a man from being hit. What no one knows is that Murdock was also doused with an unusual radioactive isotope which had a strange effect on him -- while Murdock's sight may be gone, his other senses have been raised to such a keen pitch that they act like radar, allowing him to tell where he's going and what happens around him, both near and far away. Murdock puts his gifts to use at night as the costumed crime-fighter Daredevil, whose pursuit of justice has earned him the wrath of underworld leader Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan). Kingpin wants Daredevil out of his way once and for all, and hires Bullseye (Colin Farrell), a super-assassin with an uncanny ability to throw blades, to do the job. Daredevil also makes the acquaintance of Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner), a woman with super-heroic talents who is also on Kingpin's bad side, though it remains to be seen if she has aligned herself with the forces of good as Daredevil has done. Jon Favreau, Joe Pantoliano, and David Keith highlight Daredevil's supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

46% liked it

435,552 ratings

Critics

45% liked it

211 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson

Release Date: February 14, 2003

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 29, 2003

Get It:

Stats: 19,581 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Daredevil Daredevil Daredevil Jennifer Garner Daredevil Jennifer Garner Daredevil Jennifer Garner - Elektra 6 DAREDEVIL Jennifer Garner Jennifer Garner - Elektra 1 Daredevil Daredevil Jennifer Garner Daredevil Jennifer Garner Colin Farrell (as Bullseye) in 'Daredevil' Daredevil
Upload a Photo | View All Daredevil Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (19,581)

  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    May 14, 2012
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "When justice is blind, it knows no fear."

    A man blinded by toxic waste which also enhanced his remaining senses fights crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero.

    REVIEW

    Ben Affleck plays M... read moreatt Murdock, a struggling blind lawyer living and working around the dangerous streets of Hells Kitchen. On first appearances you'd be forgiven for thinking that he's like most other lawyers around today. For starters he's extremely committed to his job. He's also a man that takes the loss of a court case to heart. However, the similarities stop there. Why? Matt Murdock is Daredevil - The Man Without Fear, a powerful, masked vigilante that stalks the guilty and enacts his own form of justice. As a child he is accidentally blinded by toxic waste. To compensate for the loss of sight, he relies on his other four senses. His hearing becomes as sensitive as radar. He can form mental images from sound, which on film come out in a blue tint.

    The comic book probably deserves a better adaptation than this. Despite a few great action sequences, the movie is fairly dull and should leave many viewers wanting something more, or something different all together. The film seems to lack any real direction and many holes exist in the plot, a problem which seems to plague these sorts of action features. The romance feels forced and is poorly paced, making all the time between action set pieces drag to an almost unbearable extent. Many other elements seem too contrived, too convenient, or too poorly explained. The lack of any real character development is my greatest issue. The film just has no heart.
  • riverdale237
    November 11, 2011
    riverdale237
    This is my 2nd favorite comic book movie, mainly because I can't find anything bad to say about it. I don't care what other people say about it, it rocks.

    First, let's begin with the cast. I loved Ben Affleck's subtleness as Matt Murdock, and you can tell he's had experience w... read moreith similar roles. He even looks a lot like Murdock. Jennifer Garner did a good job too. Not amazing, but good. I'm guessing she did so well because of the chemistry that Affleck and Garner already had for each other, which was transferred when they played DD and Elecktra.

    Jennifer Garner was nothing like comic book Elecktra, but she was alright. She showed a lot of emotion, but not too much. If she wasn't called "Elecktra" then I would have praised her more. She was about solid.

    And of course, there was Michael Clarke Duncan, playing one of the best villain preformances I've ever seen. What makes him so good is that he doesn't have to confront the hero to make his life miserable, he's just there, and although he doesn't fight him head on until the end, he's as much a danger to Daredevil as any two of his other villain's combined.

    The cast and acting wasn't the only top notch thing about the movie. The fight sequences make Lord of the Rings look like Batman and Robin. They are perfected to the point it looks like a synchrinzed dance, only hardcore. This was especially true in the confronation with Daredevil and Bullseye in the church, which happens to be one of my favorite fight scenes. It was actually taken from one of the scenes in the comic book!

    That's not to say that the movie doesn't have it's emotional moments. The relationship between Murdock and Nachios is what keep's the movie together. It's a very complicated but intense relationship, and when Elecktra dies at the end, we feel Daredevil's loss.

    The directing was spectacular. The lines were given perfectly and every scene was at least remotley interesting. Mark Steven Johnson should be proud of himself.

    Although we don;t often, if ever, here the name "Daredevil" with titles like "Batman Begins", "Spider-Man" or "X-Men", we really should. Hands down, the greatest movie I've ever seen.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 30, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    I am surprised by the low reviews, it actually was an okay superhero film. The plot was a tale of revenge, which i actually really got into and the start of the movie makes it feel like this will be an intense story, and sure enough, it was pretty good. Ben Afflek and Jennifer ... read moreGarner suck, they did not catch my attention at all and I pityed the fools who casted them. The effects are cool and I really loved Bullseye and how they kept to Daredevils look and powers very well. I have to say the ending was pretty stupid, it really had no point and was a dissappointment. Overall just an okay superhero film, one ill watch if on TV.
  • TheGame90
    August 16, 2011
    TheGame90
    The movie itself wasn't a slobberknocker...But I knew nothing of daredevil before I saw it...Robin told me he was blind...but that's about it (I didn't even think it was true...what does he know). But I thought his story was a little interesting. So it was okay...Nothing more.
  • CreedsDelight
    August 8, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    Ben Affleck delivers as the blind superhero, but the director made a fatal mistake not releasing the R-rated directors cut in theaters, but instead we got a hard PG-13. Kudos to Colin for delivering his Bullsye performance straight from the comics.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    Ben Affleck you such. Cheesy.
  • fb535316333
    July 20, 2011
    fb535316333
    It's a rocky ride from the start when an overuse of monotone voice over is used to narrate DD's contrive "dark childhood" but as the film carries on things just start bordering on "so bad it's good".

    I mean, when he first meets Elektra? Or just introducing Bullseye and Fisk? Fr... read moreeakin' hilarious. Such over-the-top-cartoonesque nonsense is rarely achieved on the big screen with so little shame.

    Unfortunately for us, it slowly rocks back and fourth between that and a certain degree of seriousness that warrants some credibility from Murdocks time spent on the case.

    In the end, it's a series of poor decisions that ultimately bring this film down to an all-time low. Bad music, pandering dialogue, ridiculously staged direction etc. All really disappointing, what with there being so much to play with in complex morality from the whole "lawyer" premise.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    June 4, 2011
    cancercapricorn2002
    Daredevil has to be one of my favourite comic book characters so I was very disappointed by how tame the theatrical version of film that was 1st released and its attempt to pander to small children in the audience. It was as if the producers didn't understand that 'Daredevil' c... read moreould not have the broad audience age range that 'Spider-Man' enjoys since it is a much darker story. So, I was delighted to get the director's cut DVD produced in a manner that was exactly how 'Daredevil' should be and left me, and I presume many others, feeling this version should have been the only version.

    'Daredevil' follows the story of Matt Murdock, who when dosed by hazardous chemicals at the age of twelve, is left blinded. But in return for losing his sight, his other four senses are radically enhanced to the point where his hearing provides him with sonar-like vision. By day, Murdock goes on to become a lawyer who will only defend those who he believes are innocent. But by night, he assumes his alter-ego Daredevil to prowl the streets of New York, hunting for criminals who have evaded justice. But with the city under the grip of criminal crime lord Kingpin, it's no easy task for the Man Without Fear.

    Ben Affleck might be a rather bland actor in his other roles but in this film he was excellent in bringing the reserved, brooding Murdock to life, depicting the burden carried by the character. It was also a nice touch in the director's cut to see more of Jon Favreau's Foggy Nelson, Matt's colleague and only real friend, and establish more of a rapport between the two men. Jennifer Garner made a good Elektra but it made for a better film to see a few of her scenes cut in the DC version in order to spend more time developing Matt. Michael Clarke Duncan, as the Kingpin, and Colin Farrell, as Bullseye, both filled roles of psychotic villains well although Duncan's character could have had a few more scenes to properly explore why he was so feared.

    The director's cut also depicted the character more accurately as a man deeply troubled by his past, haunted by his abilities (he doesn't have Superman strength, he can be hurt and does tire, but he does have the hearing that captures every cry for help and every scream of victims' pain) and very alone in the world. It also shows there is this slightly manic side to Murdock when he is determined, which not only makes him very dangerous but also isolates him from others. Further more, the director's cut both offers up superior fight scenes (finally, it's easy to see why criminals fear Daredevil) and explores on a deeper level the connection between Matt and Elecktra and Matt and his friend Foggy.

    I'd recommend the theatrical version to comic book fans wishing to introduce the character to the under twelves but everyone else should stick with the first-rate director's cut, which quite simply is the Marvel version of 'Batman Begins'. It's not afraid to explore the darker side to Daredevil or what he does.
  • fb100000040220993
    May 30, 2011
    fb100000040220993
    Given the source material, I'm always surprised when these movies don't turn out good. This rendition of Daredevil is a piece of shit. It feels less like a superhero movie, and more like a backdrop for the shitty Nu-metal that was wiping it's ass all over the music industry at ... read morethe time. This was poorly written, executed, and stands as an embarrassing example of the characters involved. Avoid this garbage at all costs.
  • coollala0910
    March 29, 2011
    coollala0910
    Ughhh, so dissapointing. This is a movie that has so much potential but then ends up falling flat. First off, Ben Affleck. I didn't buy him as the role of Matt Murdock. And I thought the film got cornier as it progressed.

    "Daredevil" gets props for being gritty and ominous. Th... read moree Braille opening credits were pretty cool and then we cut to a computer-generated rat roaming through a spooky, nighttime New York City. This is when the movie jumped the shark for me. A computer-generated rat??? Ooooh, so scary! Then it picks up again and we see Matt Murdock bleeding of his wounds on top of a church. Okay, gritty again. We then get to see Matt's emotional backstory for the next thirty minutes of the movie. I thought the backstory was too long because by the time it ended, there was like an hour left in the film. "Daredevil" moves at a dissapointing and odd pace.

    So Matt Murdock gets toxic chemicals in his eyes, goes blind, develops a radar sense, and dons a red suit and mask and dubs himself as Daredevil: the man without fear. Okay, thats cool. We then see Spider-Man villain, The Kingpin, being played by Michael Clarke Duncan who wastes his talent with this role. We are then introduced the hitman known as Bullseye who is played by the pestering Colin Farrel.

    Matt Murdock meets Elecktra Natchios (Say "Natchios" 10x fast!), falls in love with her, gets freaky with her, and then Elecktra's father passes. She then avenges his death by becoming a superheroine who has a pair of sais as a weapon.

    Notice that I just summarized the entire movie for you? Why? Because this movie is so dumb that you'll just feel weird when you view it and ask yourself, "Why did I just watch that?". The acting isn't the best, the dialogue is so cheesy, the use CGI was odd, jumped the shark many times, etc. "Daredevil" adds nothing new to the superhero genre. The direction was not amazing as well. Chris Nolan, the Wachowski Brothers, Zack Snyder, John Woo, and even Francis Ford Coppola could've made a better "Daredevil" movie.

    Its a hit-and-miss film but its mostly a miss. I need to watch the Director's Cut version someday because I've heard its quite an improvement over this.

    A ho-hum superhero film. I have high hopes for the upcoming sequel/reboot.

View All Daredevil Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Ansen
July 7, 2010
David Ansen, Newsweek

Torn between moody grandiosity and cartoonish mayhem, Daredevil tries to have it both ways, and succeeds at neither. Full Review

J. R. Jones
April 18, 2007
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

[A] dull actioner. Full Review

Ed Park
February 19, 2003
Ed Park, Village Voice

The numerous fight scenes have been filmed in Confuse-o-Rama, a headache-inducing technique that mixes a dozen too many cuts per minute, projectile P.O.V., and intermittent glimpses of the hero's sona... Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen
February 19, 2003
Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

A collection of false starts interrupted by an awful lot of angst-ridden contemplation, the picture serves up soul-searching gush with scant pulse-pounding rush.

Richard Roeper
February 18, 2003
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Daredevil has electric energy, a wickedly dark sense of humor, some ingenious fight scenes and that high-powered cast. Full Review

David Edelstein
February 15, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

Kind of lousy. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
February 14, 2003
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Perfectly satisfactory without being deeply satisfying. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
February 14, 2003
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Daredevil doesn't take a single dare. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
February 14, 2003
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A pretender in the realm of bona fide superheroes. Full Review

Mike Clark
February 14, 2003
Mike Clark, USA Today

There'll be plenty of ragging to go around once audiences get a dose of the dullest live-action comic strip on record, one that lacks even an interesting villain. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Elektra
    Elektra (83%)
  • Spider-Man 3
    Spider-Man 3 (74%)
  • Ghost Rider
    Ghost Rider (81%)
  • The Punisher
    The Punisher (56%)

More Movies like Daredevil

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Matt Murdock/Daredevil: As for Daredevil...well, soon the world will know the truth. That this is a city born of heroes, that one man can make a difference. Hell's Kitchen is my neighborhood. I prowl the rooftops and alleyways at night, watching from the darkness. Forever in darkness. A guardian devil.
    • Franklin Nelson: He paid in fluke. Fluke is a fish, Matt. Did you know that? Because I sure as hell didn't.
    • Matt Murdock/Daredevil: Well, Mr. Chang is a nice guy, he doesn't have a lot of money and he likes to go fishing on the weekends.
    • Franklin Nelson: Yeah, well I like to go salsa dancing on the weekends. But I don't shake my ass to pay my phone bill. You know what I'm saying?
    • Bullseye: I never miss!
    • Kingpin: How's your daughter?
    • Elektra: You don't know how I feel.
    • Matt Murdock/Daredevil: Revenge won't make the pain go away. Trust me.
    • Kingpin: Send the guards home.
    • Wesley: But sir...
    • Kingpin: I was raised in the southside Bronx, Wesley. This is something you wouldn't understand.
Submit a Fact | View All

Daredevil : Watch Free on TV

Daredevil Trivia

  • Ben Affleck played the Marvel blind superhero Daredevil. What is this characters real name?  Answer »
  • In the 2005 film Elektra, Jennifer Garner reprises her role from what earlier comic book-inspired film?  Answer »
  • Which actor played the character Daredevil?  Answer »
  • Who was it that played in the folowing films Electra, 13 going on 30, Daredevil?  Answer »
More Daredevil Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Daredevil Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Daredevil to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Daredevil News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

lll99999 Skin by lll99999
215 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins