Jon Bernthal Says Frank Castle Faces His Darkest Struggle in The Punisher: One Last Kill

Jon Bernthal says Frank Castle will face an inner battle in Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ special The Punisher: One Last Kill, premiering May 12.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Bernthal explained that the story focuses on Frank questioning who he really is. The character struggles between being a grieving husband and father or a violent vigilante who feels most comfortable in brutal combat.

Bernthal said the special explores whether Frank can move beyond revenge and begin fighting for justice instead. However, the character starts the story in a very dark place.

“We're really honing in on him kind of at his end,” Bernthal said. “He doesn't know what to do and he's completely enveloped in hopelessness.”

The actor recently returned as the Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again season 1. Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum previously said One Last Kill takes place during the same timeline, which is why Frank does not appear in Born Again season 2.

Bernthal co-wrote the special with We Own This City collaborator Reinaldo Marcus Green, who also directed it. The actor said he played a major role in shaping the project and wanted to “earn” the opportunity to tell the story properly.

He described the special as a darker and more psychologically intense version of the Punisher. According to Bernthal, the story will show the real consequences of violence instead of treating it lightly.

The trailer released in April shows Frank fighting enemies on a rooftop and visiting the grave of his daughter, Lisa Barbara Castle. In one scene, Curtis Hoyle, played by Jason R. Moore, warns Frank that he may never be forgiven for the things he has done.

Marvel fans will also see Bernthal return as the Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day later this summer, where he is expected to appear alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.