Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark redefined the modern superhero with his razor-sharp wit and transformed the MCU into the multi-billion dollar franchise it is today—cementing his status as truly iconic. There is nobody who embodies Captain America quite like Chris Evans; you look at him, and he simply is The First Avenger.
And then there’s Jon Bernthal in the same show, who was undoubtedly violent and brutal, yet brought an incredible amount of humanity and realism to a character that could have easily come across as a murderous rage machine. Instead, we saw a Frank Castle who was tormented, passionate, and deeply conflicted, with nuanced relationships that added layers to his character.
But when it comes to raw emotional depth, subtlety, and sheer dedication to character, Charlie Cox’s portrayal of Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, arguably stands above them all.
Since first donning the red suit in Netflix’s Daredevil (2015-2018), Cox has delivered a performance that is both physically demanding and emotionally devastating. Whether it’s a quiet, intimate conversation or a brutal hallway brawl, Cox fully inhabits Murdock in a way that few actors in the MCU do with their roles.
The Emotional Complexity of Matt Murdock
There are performances on screen that make you fall in love with the art of acting, and every single time I see Charlie Cox on screen as Daredevil, it’s one of those moments for me. I feel grateful to have been able to witness the pure candidness and the inimitable, quiet splendor of his performance. How can this perfectly able British guy from East Sussex so faultlessly and grippingly convince you that he is this blind man from New York, who breathes Hell’s Kitchen and exists within this gritty corner of the Marvel world? He is a charming lawyer by day, a relentless vigilante by night, fighting to make his city a safer place—and Cox embodies every aspect of him flawlessly.
What makes Cox’s portrayal so compelling is the emotional depth he brings to the character. Matt Murdock is a tortured soul—constantly battling his faith, his morality, and his own self-destructive tendencies. Unlike many MCU heroes, who often get by with quips and charm, Murdock’s struggles feel painfully real.
Cox’s ability to convey this inner turmoil and its convulsive nature through subtle facial expressions, body language, and carefully measured dialogue is what sets him apart.
Episodes like Nelson v. Murdock (Season 1) and Blindsided (Season 3) showcase just how much Cox brings to the table. Yes, he delivers emotionally heavy dialogue flawlessly, but he also excels in those devastatingly quiet moments. His delivery of the “I beat you!” monologue in the Daredevil Season 3 finale remains one of the most powerful moments in MCU history—a raw, visceral explosion of emotion that rivals even Walter White’s infamous “I won” moment in Breaking Bad.
I’m not a particularly religious man, but the conversations about God—brought to life through the sheer talent and vision of the writing team for the original Netflix series alongside Cox’s gripping delivery—are deeply moving.
Throughout the show, we see a man who grew up with faith struggle to hold onto it in the face of hopelessness, we see him not only wrestle with its existence but also question what happens in its absence. We see this man, who has never quite had a home apart from Foggy and Karen, struggle with his identity as the darkness within himself constantly makes him torn between Matt Murdock and Daredevil. And while the brilliant writing keeps these conflicts grounded, it’s Charlie Cox’s subtle, painfully human, and valiant performance that makes it all feel so real and brings it home, drawing so much empathy from the audience by being ever so deeply relatable.
Commitment to the Role: From Stunts to Authenticity
Beyond his acting, Cox’s dedication to the physicality of Daredevil is also something that is rrather astonishing. He performs most of his own stunts, seamlessly blending Murdock’s unique fighting style with the character’s blindness. His training in boxing and martial arts ensures that every fight scene feels grounded and realistic, setting Daredevil apart from the often overly-choreographed and overtly-CGI action sequences of the larger MCU.
Additionally, Cox’s portrayal of a blind character has been widely praised for its authenticity. He was even honored with the Helen Keller Achievement Award from the American Foundation for the Blind for his performance. The way he convincingly portrays a blind man—subtle eye movements, head tilts, and the way he interacts with his surroundings—adds another layer of believability to his role.
A Performance That Deserves More Recognition
Despite acclaim from both fans and critics, Cox has not only never been nominated for an Emmy, but he hasn’t even received acknowledgment from any other major TV awards, such as the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, or SAG—a laughable oversight that continues to baffle anybody that has seen the show. The layered complexity he brings to Daredevil is on par with—if not superior to—many award-winning TV performances.
With Daredevil: Born Again, Charlie Cox is fully back as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen after nearly seven years, and from the devastating, action-packed opening and the gripping courtroom scene in the premiere episode to the rage-fueled climax of episode two, the man has not missed a single step. He delivers the same emotional weight and intensity that made the Netflix series such a masterpiece.
We can only hope that not only does he continue to get the kind of material that allows his talent to shine, but that with Daredevil now fully integrated into the MCU, he finally receives the recognition he so rightly deserves.