Photo Credit: Disney+
Marvel Studios’ new Special Presentation, The Punisher: One Last Kill, has landed on Disney+ to a reception that vastly outstrips that of the original Netflix series, according to Rotten Tomatoes scores and reviews.

The Punisher: One Last Kill Rotten Tomatoes score set by reviews

Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher: One Last Kill currently stands with a strong 83% approval rating from critics, coupled with an explosive 96% audience score on the Popcornmeter. This is a monumental leap over the 2017 Netflix series The Punisher, which ended its run with a lukewarm 64% Tomatometer and a 79% audience score. 

Digging into The Punisher: One Last Kill reviews reveals critics are stunned by the special’s unrestrained approach. Jordan Moreau from Variety declared, “Thanks to Bernthal finally letting loose, ‘One Last Kill’ cements his Punisher as one of Marvel’s most singular performances.”

Nick Schager from The Daily Beast spoke of the intensity, writing, “In terms of no-holds-barred ultra-violence, it’s like John Wick times one thousand.”

Andy Behbakht from Screen Rant emphasized the character evolution, stating, “The Punisher: One Last Kill shows Bernthal’s Frank Castle as we have never seen him before, starting a whole new era for the anti-hero.”

Furthermore, Will Salmon from GamesRadar+ notes the pacing picks up steam, calling it “a lot of guns-blazing fun” once the villains enter the fray. Jesse Schedeen from IGN Movies commended the tighter format, describing the special as “a lean, mean, and entertaining short story.”

Jonathan Sim from ComingSoon.com summarized the appeal perfectly, noting the special “knows exactly what fans want from Frank Castle, and for better and worse, it delivers almost precisely that.”

The Punisher: One Last Kill follows Castle trying to flee a life of revenge, only to be dragged into an all guns blazing fight with crime lord Ma Gnucci, played by Judith Light.