Most fans and critics agree that Netflix's three-season original series of Daredevil was far superior to the critically panned and commercially unsuccessful 2003 film of the same name, which starred Ben Affleck in the lead role, alongside Jennifer Garner, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Jon Favreau.
While there is little argument as to which of the adaptations of the classic Marvel character is best, some viewers may take the Netflix series' improvements for granted. In fact, there are several very deliberate improvements that the series made over the film that has helped it to remain one of the greatest superhero series of all time.
Origin
The 2003 film and the 2014 series both follow a similar plotline regarding the events that left a young Matt Murdock blind and with his remaining senses heightened. However, the latter of the two also included a long and important subplot in which he trained to hone his abilities under the tutelage of Stick, learning over a period of years.
Including more of Matt's background and training helps elevate his crusade, reframing everything he does as Daredevil to be about protecting the people that can't protect themselves, rather than a pursuit of blind justice, as is the case in the 2003 film. Ultimately, this additional plotline makes Matt a more likable, and more understandable, hero.
Effects
It's no secret that CGI was not in its prime in 2003, leaving the Daredevil film with some truly awful effects that become quite distracting. Much of the film's action comes off as rubbery, dark, and unreal, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
The 2014 series doesn't have this same issue, but not necessarily due to the fact that effects had improved in the decade since the film's release. Understanding the character better than those that worked on Daredevil 2003, the creative team behind the Netflix series opted to use mostly practical techniques in filming, making for a smoother and more grounded take on the comic book character.
No Killing
While many superheroes operate under a "no killing" policy, Daredevil is one of the most famous heroes to do so. His deeply-rooted religious beliefs lead him to conclude that killing is inherently wrong, and his dark tendencies reveal that, should he ever cross that line, there would be no going back for him.
Although both the film and the series include this rule, the latter does a better job in its depiction, showing Matt's internal and external struggle in abiding by that rule in different situations. The film, on the other hand, shows Daredevil actively putting people's lives in danger, even becoming indirectly responsible for killing a man early in the film after refusing to save him after he fell in the way of an oncoming train.
Legal Skills
Many casual Marvel fans may recognize that Daredevil's alter-ego is blind defense attorney Matt Murdock, who works with his legal partner and best friend, Franklin Nelson. Both the film and series follow Matt's legal career in detail, though one is clearly better at depicting him as a competent attorney.
Affleck's Murdock loses every case assigned to him unless some stroke of luck corrects his mistakes. In general, his targets as Daredevil tend to be the criminals he failed to bring to justice in a court of law. Unlike Charlie Cox's more seasoned and well-spoken lawyer, Affleck's character essentially acts as Daredevil purely because of how bad he is at his day job.
Kingpin
The Man Without Fear's ultimate archnemesis is without a doubt Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. The late Michael Clarke Duncan plays Fisk in the film, acting as the force behind Bullseye, as well as the murder of Jack Murdock. Vincent D'Onofrio took over the role in later years, playing Kingpin over the course of three seasons, since making his return in Disney+'s Hawkeye.
While Duncan's portrayal of Fisk is surprisingly good considering the general disappointment of the film itself, there is simply no beating D'Onofrio's take on the character. The Law & Order actor has an uncanny knack for being both sympathetic and intimidating at the same time, making every season featuring Kingpin as the Big Bad feel like the show's very best.
Elektra
One of Daredevil's most famous love interests in the comics is Elektra Natchios, the Greek heiress turned vigilante. Jennifer Garner became the first actress to play the character in live-action, appearing in Daredevil and Elektra, her own self-titled spinoff. Elodie Yung would adopt the role over a decade later in the second season of the Netflix series as well as in the crossover event The Defenders.
This classic '80s comic book character is primed for an introduction in the MCU proper, and, when that happens, the blueprint to follow will be that of Yung's portrayal rather than Garner's. Yung brings a certain vulnerability to the capable antiheroine that Garner's version simply didn't have, making her a far more compelling character overall--and one that fans wouldn't mind seeing more of.
Fight Sequences
The Devil of Hell's Kitchen certainly earns his name when it comes to fighting off the local street crime. He is known for operating on a policy that states that, if he doesn't kill a criminal, their hospital bills surely will. As such, his violent battles with local gangs and criminal organizations are a vital part of the character whenever he is depicted in live-action.
The Daredevil series does a far better job of capturing its action sequences than its 2003 predecessor. While the film's action mostly suffers from its distractingly terrible CGI, the series prides itself on its gritty, and often bloody, fight scenes. Several action scenes shot in a single take have also become iconic pieces of the series, showing off just how captivating hand-to-hand action can be when done right.
Bullseye
Bullseye is one of Daredevil's greatest villains and deserves to be treated as such. However, anyone who has seen the film knows that Colin Farrell's take on the classic comic book character of Bullseye was... a lot. His version of the supervillain manages to be more distracting than the rubbery CGI accompanying his action scenes and is typically one of the more criticized aspects of the film.
The Netflix series seized the opportunity for a second stab at the character of Bullseye in their third and final season, taking a more comic book accurate approach to his origins, including a storyline where he poses as Daredevil himself. This time played by Wilson Bethel, the character really gets space to breathe, and certainly would have proven to be quite the opponent to the Devil of Hell's Kitchen after taking on the Bullseye identity, as was planned for the show's fourth season.
A Classic Rivalry
Perhaps more important than an accurate depiction of Wilson Fisk or Matthew Murdock is an accurate representation of their relationship with one another. The old enemies are polar opposites in their methods, but not necessarily in their beliefs, which is what makes them such compelling foes to watch do battle with one another.
The 2003 film completely drops the ball with this relationship, giving Daredevil and Kingpin only two scenes together in the entire movie, effectively killing any chance to garner a proper rivalry. The series, however, takes its time to establish the dynamic between Murdock and Fisk in a properly compelling way. Fans can only hope to see this rivalry addressed once more in a Daredevil revival on Disney+ someday.
The Leading Man
If an adaptation of Daredevil is to ever be successful, it must find the perfect leading man to play the character. Ben Affleck was the first actor to play the character on the big screen, with Charlie Cox later taking on the role in the Netflix series, and later in a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
While Affleck had several genuinely great moments as Murdock, mostly in the scenes he shared with co-star Jon Favreau, there is no doubt that Charlie Cox quickly dethroned him after adopting the role. He plays the character with the perfect balance of detachment and genuine care that Matt Murdock so often struggles with. As such, fans are chomping at the bit to see more of Cox in the role in the near future.
