Daredevil (2003) / Characters

Characters from Daredevil (2003) and its spinoff Elektra.

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Introduced in Daredevil

Matt Murdock/Daredevil

Matthew "Matt" Murdock / Daredevil

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"They say your whole life flashes before your eyes when you die. And it's true, even for a blind man."

Played By: Ben Affleck, Scott Terra (young) ^{Other Languages}Jean-Pierre Michaël (European French)

"High above the city streets, I trained my body and my senses. An acute sense of touch gave me both strength and balance, until the city itself became my playground."

A Hell's Kitchen lawyer who as a child was blinded by toxic chemicals which also enhanced his remaining senses. Motivated by the murder of his father, Matt has become a vigilante known as Daredevil who struggles with his violent crime-fighting actions as well as the strain this lifestyle affects him and his business.

Adaptation Dye-Job: Matt is a redhead in the comics. Here he's Tall, Dark, and Handsome.
Adapted Out: He was not trained by Stick like in the comics, being self-taught in martial arts instead.
Alliterative Name: Matt Murdock.
Amazon Chaser: He's more interested in Elektra when he realizes how capable a fighter she is.
Badass Bookworm: A lawyer who moonlights as a feared vigilante.
Berserk Button: He tends to lose his temper whenever Foggy suggests representing the rich and guilty.
Character Development: At first, he has no issue killing criminals, especially when they escape justice through help from the Kingpin. Later, he attacks a criminal working for the Kingpin, only for said criminal's son to be terrified of his presence. After that, Matt begins to rethink his methods and, despite what Bullseye did to Elektra, doesn't kill him but leaves him potentially unable to walk ever again. He also doesn't kill his father's killer like he wanted to do since he was 12, having decided he wants to prove he's not the bad guy.
Chivalrous Pervert: His interactions with Elektra, namely sniffing her, can come off as creepy, though it's justified given he's blind and relies on his other senses. Regardless, he genuinely loves her.
Dark Is Not Evil: He wears dark red and is called Daredevil but is very much the hero of the story.
Dented Iron: Fighting crime every night has left Matt in terrible condition despite only being in his early thirties. His back is visibly covered in scars, he pulls out a tooth after a night of fighting with barely any response, implying he's done it before and he's on various types of painkillers.
Did Not Get the Girl: Bullseye's murder of Elektra put an abrupt end to their romance. Even though she's brought back to life, he's unaware of that and she never reconnects with him.
Experienced Protagonist: Matt's training is already included in his Superhero Origin and is already battle-hardened by the time the film starts.
Foil: Meta-wise, to Peter Parker from the then recent Spider-Man film. They're both red-clad superheroes who gained superpowers via science and struggle to make ends meet. Peter was a student who got his powers very recently whereas Matt is an adult lawyer who gained them as a child. Peter's situation being that he couldn't hold a job due to his duties as Spider-Man until he photographed himself for the Daily Bugle, whereas Matt refuses to represent wealthy clients if they are clearly lying about their innocence. Peter also ended the film deciding not to pursue Mary Jane for he safety while sequels put an end to that, whereas Matt's relationship with Elektra is interrupted by Bullseye gutting her, and he never finds out she came back to life.
Handicapped Badass: Matt's blind but, it doesn't stop him from kicking all kinds of ass.
Honor Before Reason: Despite how broke he and Foggy are becoming, he refuses to represent the wealthy due to wanting to stick up for the truly innocent.
Missing Mom: His mother has no relevance in the film.
Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: He's stationed in New York, where, since other heroes like the X-Men or the Avengers don't seem to exist on this Earth, he's the only superhuman around and his senses give him the edge. While he never encounters them, The Hand from Elektra have more mystical abilities like bringing tattoos to life or super speed that comes across like teleportation, all of which would have been difficult for Matt.
Primary-Color Champion: His suit is all red, although it's a darker tone, and is the hero of the film.
You Killed My Father: He makes connections due to Bullseye mentioning the red rose he left with Elektra that the Kingpin is his father's murderer.

Elektra Natchios

"You don't know how I feel. I want revenge."

Played By: Jennifer Garner, Laura Ward (young)

Appearances: Daredevil | Elektra | Deadpool & Wolverine

The daughter of billionaire Nikolas Natchios and Matt Murdock's love interest. After her mother's murder, she became highly trained in martial arts.

Aborted Arc: Despite how it ended for her in Daredevil, no mention is ever made about Bullseye or his actions against her. She seems to have all but forgotten about him.
Action Girl: A departure from the likes of Sam Raimi's Mary Jane Watson is that Elektra is a trained martial artist and not afraid to fight back.
Actually Pretty Funny: Elektra quickly deduces from Foggy spitting out his tea that he's a friend of Matt's, who remarks he's "never seen him before". Despite not liking to be hit on, even by a blind man, Elektra is shown silently chuckling at that.
Adaptation Dye-Job: Elektra Natchios in comics has black hair and blue eyes. Jennifer Garner uses her natural brunette hair, though she wears contacts to change the color of her brown eyes. However, instead of blue, they're green.
Adaptational Heroism: This incarnation of Elektra was never a villain for Daredevil. Even when she attacks him and gets into a fight with Bullseye, they're for more sympathetic reasons and has no desire to do harm to innocent people. Even when she becomes an assassin in her spin-off film, it's implied she goes after wanted criminals and refrains from harming her latest target, a father and daughter.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In the comics, she and Bullseye were rivals competing for the Kingpin's favoritism and the two mutually despise each other. Since she's not a villain, this is absent in the film. She doesn't even see Bullseye, much less meet him, until the two fight and her hatred towards him is more personal.
All for Nothing: Her quest to avenge her father went to waste. Not only did she wrongly attack someone else for a crime they did not commit, she made herself an easier target for the actual killer. That same killer, Bullseye, took advantage of her rage by egging her on and murders her in sadistic fashion while humiliating her in a fight.
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Downplayed with Matt. He stalks her and touches her hand without permission, but he's not afraid to throw down with her in a public playground, something that actually impresses her when he convinces her not to hold back. Outside of that, her interest in him is for more healthier reasons. Defied with Bullseye. Even ignoring the crimes he's committed against her, he's a sadistic and cold-blooded psychopath who isn't afraid to hurt her for amusement and his attraction to her is more uncomfortable than flattering.
Ambiguous Situation: The brail necklace that Matt found. When did she find the time to leave it for Matt? It couldn't have been before finding out his identity, as it's in a location he wouldn't normally go to. Admittedly, we don't know when Stick paid her a visit, or how long since her fight with Bullseye it had been before Matt found it, so she could have very well left it for him.
Badass Normal: She lacks a superhuman ability and is skilled enough in combat to trade blows with Daredevil and Bullseye. Gains magical abilities in her spin-off.
Bare Midriffs Are Feminine: For combat, she wears a black leather outfit leaves her midriff exposed.
Beauty Is Never Tarnished: Despite blows and a sai through her torso, Elektra remains as beautiful as ever, enough for Bullseye to still want a kiss.
Breakout Character: Like in the comics, Fox attempted to do the same with their film adaptations by having Elektra star in her own film, while also allowing them to capitalize on Jennifer Garner's then recent star power. However, this ended up a poor attempt to make the Breakout Character of the comics into one from a film adaptation, as her movie caused all plans for sequels to be cancelled and the rights to Daredevil and all related characters, Elektra included, reverted back to Marvel. That said, her character was at least popular enough to have been announced to make a return in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The Bus Came Back: Jennifer Garner returns after 19 years to play the character once more in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Character Development: Subtle, but in Daredevil she's hellbent on revenge on her father's killer, only to attack the wrong man and ends up going after the real perpetrator, ignoring his requests she run because she wants him to pay. During Elektra, she's realized this mindset and temper was a bad move. Upon learning the identity of her the man who killed her mother, she briefly goes into this mindset before Abby comes to save her. After that, she prioritizes Abby's safety, and her fight with this specific enemy was less revenge and more to protect her young friend.
Composite Character: While largely an adaptation of Elektra Natchios, she borrows several aspects of another prominent love interest of Daredevil, Echo. Namely, her father was associated with Kingpin and met the same fate because of him, and she's out to kill Daredevil but relents upon realizing he's someone she's fallen for.
Dark Is Not Evil: She wear black leather in her fights with Daredevil and Bullseye, but she's closer to the former in morality than the latter.
Defrosting Ice Queen: On realising that Matt is hitting on her, she refuses to give her name and walks out on him, only relenting on finding he can match her sparring level. Given that she's the attractive daughter of a billionaire, her Ice Queen attitude is actually understandable.
Dual Wielding: Like in the comics, her primary weapons are a pair sais. During her fight with Bullseye, after he injures her, she drops one sai and only uses the other from then on. Bullseye managed to injure her twice with her primary weapon.
Dude Magnet: Matt, Foggy, Bullseye and Mark are all attracted to her.
Everyone Has Standards: Elektra doesn't like being hit on, but upon realizing she was about to rudely ask "what are you, blind?" to the man hitting on her, a blind man, she apologizes.
Failed a Spot Check: She conveniently sees Daredevil from the rooftops following the limousine while the sunroof was opened, yet somehow doesn't notice the very loud motorcycle with the bald man standing up coming towards said limousine and throwing the shurikens to kill the driver and guard in the chest. She only notices they're about to collide with a truck. She's also too distracted by the sight of Daredevil's club flying in and piercing her father through the chest to have noticed who actually threw it, or that Bullseye was ever at the scene of the crime the entire time. While the presence of Daredevil would explain the club's presence, the fact that the two bodyguards were killed in a way that would been impossible for him to do given his location doesn't tip her off someone else was there.
Failure Hero: She enters the battle between Daredevil and Kingpin... but targets Daredevil due a misunderstanding. She also fails to avenge her father and defeat his killer when she made herself an easier target by rendering Daredevil unable to save her.
Fatal Flaw: During Daredevil, it was shown she was easy to anger. She very quickly got into a fight with Matt for his touching her hand without permission, which was somewhat justified. However, she also stuck one of her father's bodyguards for trying to keep her away from his limousine. And it was during her fight with Daredevil she refused to hear him out when he tried to tell her of his innocence. And as shown with Bullseye, he easily provoked her and made her unfocused in battle.
Good Counterpart: Surprisingly, to Bullseye of all people in her solo film. He was a mercenary for hire for the Kingpin who targets anyone Fisk wanted dead and has no issue killing people whenever he felt bored, or make unwanted come-ons to Elektra during a fight to the death despite that she wanted him dead. Elektra, by contrast, only ever seems to target criminals and doesn't enjoy killing, and also makes actual connections with people and showed a genuine interest in Mark that he reciprocated.
Good Luck Charm: She wears a necklace her late mother gave her for this reason. Notably, she had it the night her father is murdered and she survived the car crash and was unnoticed by Bullseye. Also notable is that after she loses it in her fight with Daredevil, she realizes she mistakenly harmed her boyfriend and is murdered in sadistic fashion by the real killer. Perhaps it was indeed good luck after all.
Hates Being Touched: By her own admission when Matt touched her hand (admittedly without permission). She also has this with Bullseye, ranging from enraged to visibly uncomfortable.
Hell-Bent for Leather: Wears a black leather top and pants during her two final battles in Daredevil as opposed to the red leotard of the comics. Her outfit in Elektra is a bright red but is still leather.
Impaled Palm: When she throws her sai on Bullseye, he throws it back at her and she fails to catch it. Things went From Bad to Worse from there.
McNinja: She uses a pair of sai and both her black and red leather outfits featured Japanese kanji. However, neither she nor her sensei are Japanese.
Ms. Fanservice: She's played by Jennifer Garner and both films depict her in outfits that show skin or are very form-fitting. Her outfit from her fights with Daredevil and Bullseye look less like wanting to kill them as much as seduce them.
Navel-Deep Neckline: Her black leather top has a plunging neckline that just barely reaches her midsection.
Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: Downplayed. She's a very capable martial artist and strong enough to do harm to man far taller and more muscularly built than her. However, it's clear the only reason she won her two fights with Matt is because either he was being playful or trying to convince her he's not her enemy. There's also her fight with Bullseye, who clearly has more experience fighting to kill than her and has no qualms hurting a woman, no matter how pretty he finds her. Had she returned to New York with her powers in her spin-off, she would have more than likely destroyed them both.
Painted-On Pants: In Daredevil, the black leather pants she wore were very fitting to the point of the belt being unnecessary. Jennifer Garner has even admitted she had to wait 45 minutes for them to be removed when it came to using the bathroom.
Parental Substitute: She unintentionally serves the role of a surrogate mother figure for Abby Miller.
Poor Communication Kills: Her refusal to hear Daredevil out when he says he didn't kill her father would end up making things easier for Bullseye.
Revenge Before Reason: Instead of listening to Daredevil to run, or seek medical help for the impaled shoulder she caused, Elektra chooses to avenge her father instead. It was a mistake.
Scars Are Forever: In her spin-off, a red scar can be seen just below her breast region as she's putting on a shirt. This is where Bullseye impaled her with her own sai.
Silent Treatment: Compared to how willing she was to talk with Daredevil during their fight, Elektra doesn't bother saying a single word to Bullseye, not even as he's making playful banter with her as opposed to Daredevil being serious.
Stock Ninja Weaponry: Her primary weapon for training and in her fights with Daredevil and Bullseye are a pair of sai. Her pair aren't how they're actually seen in real life, as they have actual pointed tips which can apparently go through a human being, including herself. In actuality, ninjas would have likely used a variant called the jitte, which look nothing like Elektra's weapons.
Took a Level in Jerkass: In Daredevil, she was an otherwise well-adjusted human being with a bit of a temper. In Elektra, thanks to Bullseye, she's much more stoic and aloof, though her growing friendship with Abby helps her regain some of her humanity.
Took a Level in Smartass: She's much snarkier and more prone to swearing in Elektra than she was in Daredevil.
Truer to the Text: Downplayed, but in the spin-off she wears a comic accurate bright red as opposed to the black leather she fought Daredevil and Bullseye with.
Unexplained Recovery: Likely due to editing, but her hand that Bullseye impaled with her own weapon doesn't show any indication of injury after pulling the sai out, no hole or dripping blood whatsoever.
Unwitting Pawn: She set out to avenge her father, unwittingly helping his killers by attacking Daredevil and making her an easier target.
Useless Accessory: She wore a choker around her neck when she went into battle with Daredevil and then Bullseye afterward, which was not at all useful as it didn't protect her and likely took too long to put on than needed. It's probably no wonder Bullseye cut it off when he struck her neck.
Vapor Wear: The deep V cleavage in her black leather outfit made it clear she was not wearing a bra.
You Killed My Father: Both her parents were murdered and becomes hellbent to murder their killers. She comes after Daredevil when she mistakenly believes he killed her father. Due to her unfocused mindset, Bullseye took full advantage during their fight. At the least, she avenged her mother.

Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin

Wilson Fisk / The Kingpin

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"Business. That's all it ever is, is business."

Played By: Michael Clarke Duncan

"They call you the Man Without Fear. If that's true, why are you so afraid to show your face?"

A notorious crime boss who rules Hell's Kitchen with an iron fist.

Adaptational Curves: Inverted. His comics counterpart is enormously heavy with a build like a Sumo wrestler that many only find out when fighting him is almost entirely muscle. Here, he was a much more conventionally muscular physique.
Adaptational Jerkass: This incarnation of Wilson Fisk has fewer redeeming qualities and is far more callous.
Bad Boss: He gets a new Establishing Character Moment in the director's cut where he kills two of his bodyguards under the very slight suspicion that one of them might have blabbed about his criminal operations.
Bald of Authority: He's the towering bald leader of New York's organized crime like in the comics.
Bald of Evil: Like his comic counterpart he is one evil motherfucker who leads New York's organized crime and has not a hair on his head.
Big Bad: The primary villain of the film and the one Bullseye listens to.
Blood Knight: He's very enthusiastic about being the one to fight and kill Matt personally.
But for Me, It Was Tuesday: He barely remembers killing Jack Murdock, claiming it was just "business" and showing no more regard for it than he does any of the other horrible things he's done.
Cigar Chomper: Like in the comics, he is regularly seen smoking cigars throughout the film.
Composite Character: With Roscoe "the Fixer" Sweeney's right hand man, Slade, as the killer of Jack Murdock^note
The Dreaded: Everyone is frightened of this guy and with good reason.
Evil Sounds Deep: The late Michael Clarke Duncan's low voice really made this version of Wilson Fisk sound scarily imposing.
Faux Affably Evil: Wilson Fisk acts like a respectful person when in public. When speaking with Elektra's father before Bullseye comes to kill him, he speaks to him in a rather friendly tone. Natchios, knowing Fisk full well, sees through this and tries to escape.
Final Boss: After facing off street level thugs, Elektra and Bullseye, Fisk is the last foe Daredevil faces off against in the film.
Genius Bruiser: Just like in the comics, he's both extremely intelligent, running a vast criminal enterprise and evading authorities and a towering mountain of muscle who can kill people with his bare hands with almost no effort.
Knee-capping: Matt ends his fight with Fisk by kicking his knees hard enough to dislocate them.
Lack of Empathy: To him, nobody is innocent. When he targets you, he has your whole family killed. To him, it's just business.
Large and in Charge: Stands 6'5, is extremely muscular and is The Don of New York's organized crime.
Light Is Not Good: He loves wearing white and gray suits and is unquestionably evil.
Lightning Bruiser: As large as he is, he's also incredibly fast, being able to easy intercept Daredevil's grappling hook when fired at him and cross the distance between them in an instant.
Logical Weakness: He is very strong and deceptively nimble, but he still relies on his sight to fight, unlike Daredevil. Daredevil manages to turn the tables on him by activating Fisk's sprinkler system, leaving Fisk partially blinded by the rushing water droplets while the water only makes Fisk's form easier for Daredevil to discern.
- The fight also ends with Matt shattering his knee caps, rendering Fisk helpless and screaming in pain. If a man can't stand, he can't fight, even if he's a towering mountain of muscle.
Race Lift: The first depiction of the character who is not Caucasian.
Scary Black Man: He's a towering brute and a notorious crimelord.
Secret-Keeper: Not by choice but after Matt takes him down, Fisk threatens to reveal his identity to the world. Matt only responds that his reputation and fearsome standing would never survive everyone finding out he was taken down by a blind man.
Sharp-Dressed Man: He's regularly seen wearing a nice pin-striped suit and pulls off a tuxedo. He might be pure evil but that doesn't mean he can't have a sense of style.
Sleeves Are for Wimps: He removes his polo and blazer for the Final Battle against Matt, leaving him only wearing his wife beater underneath and showing off his absolutely massive muscles.
Smug Smiler: The guy really loves to give a shit-eating grin.
Softspoken Sadist: Rarely ever raises his voice, and is one of the most callous and ruthless incarnations of the character to date.
Strong and Skilled: While not as skilled a martial artist as Matt or his comics counterpart, he is still a very formidable fighter who displays impressive wrestling moves and is strong enough to easily overpower anyone he encounters.
Stronger Than They Look: Especially when he looks pretty strong to begin with.
Underestimating Badassery: Matt believed he could take him down easily. Matt was wrong.
Villain with Good Publicity: As far as everyone is concerned, he's a legitimate and respected businessman. There are rumors of impropriety, but they are largely treated as conjecture.
Worthy Opponent: He seems to view Matt as one, insisting on fighting him personally and lamenting he didn't get to fight him in his prime.
Wrestler in All of Us: His fighting style consists largely of wrestling moves like choking and slams, throws, and devastating headbutts

Bullseye

"Let's bring on the pain! Let's bring on the noise!"

Played By: Colin Farrell ^{Other Languages}Boris Rehlinger (European French)

"That whole red rose thing? He loves that shite. It's not my style. He hired me to kill Natchios, and to gut your pretty girlfriend too. But me, I'm going for the hat-trick. I told him I'd do you for free!"

A psychotic assassin with deadly accuracy hired by Kingpin to take out the Natchios'.

Abhorrent Admirer: He makes it clear pretty fast he finds Elektra rather attractive. Before fighting him, she shows some discomfort after he gives a Wolf Whistle and his acting flirtatious towards her only angers her more. Even when their faces were close as he was gutting her, she pulls away and didn't want to be kissed by him. Bullseye does kiss her and it takes a moment for Elektra to glare hatefully at him, showing that not even the pain of being killed was as powerful as her anger and disgust with him.
Adaptational Jerkass: His role of fighting Elektra and killing her remains the same, though he didn't try to commit sexual harassment with a kiss or make unwanted flirtatious comments towards her.
Adaptation Dye-Job: In the comics, Bullseye is blonde with blue eyes. Colin Farrell, though naturally with black hair, shaved his head and has brown eyes.
Adaptation Origin Connection: While he is still Elektra's killer, he is not the one who killed her father in the comics.
Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In comics, Elektra was his rival and the two shared a mutual dislike of one another. Since Elektra doesn't work for the Kingpin, she's just another target for him, albeit one he finds very attractive.
Adaptational Nationality: Bullseye is from Ireland here as opposed to The Bronx in the original comics, probably to give him an Irish Catholic background similar to Matt.
Amazon Chaser: He seemed pretty excited that his target is not only attractive, but is capable of scratching his cheek with her sai. If it weren't for Fisk's orders, he seemed likely he'd have made more unwanted advances towards her.
Arch-Enemy: He makes himself the most hated foe of Daredevil and Elektra, both for varying reasons. With Daredevil, he takes great strides to anger him. With Elektra, it's part of the job.
Baddie Flattery: He compliments Elektra, referring to her as "baby" in an almost affectionate way and compliments her skills as good while still saying he's magic. Elektra's silent Death Glare shows she isn't flattered by him.
Bald of Evil: Has a shaved head and is a merciless killer.
Beard of Evil: Has a goatee and is a merciless killer who does it for no reason beyond pure enjoyment.
Berserk Button: Dodging him or making him miss, making him have a personal desire to kill Daredevil for avoiding one of his throwing stars.
Carved Mark: Bullseye has a set of crosshairs carved into his forehead between his eyes. Inevitably Daredevil scores a bullseye on it at one point.
The Corruptor: His defeat of Elektra, as well as murdering both her father and then her in a sadistic manner, may have contributed to why she became so aloof and merciless in her spin-off.
Death Dealer: He's proficient enough that he could cut Elektra's neck, and destroy her choker, with a poker card.
Dirty Coward: Just like the comics, Bullseye's extreme confidence disappears when he loses the upper hand. When a bullet from a SWAT member's sniper rifle pierces through both his hands, leaving him helpless, he is reduced almost instantly to a pleading wreck who begs Matt for mercy. Matt responds exactly as you'd imagine.
Does This Remind You of Anything?: His fight with Elektra, complete with constant grinning, attempts to kiss her and calling her "Baby" come very close to coming off as rape.
The Dragon: While more active than his boss, he's just following Fisk's orders.
The Dreaded: He's one of the reasons people are afraid to turn on the Kingpin.
Enemy to All Living Things: Not just humans, but animals fear him. At the airport, a security dog whimpers in his presence. Later, he hisses at a rat, scaring it away.
Evil Is Hammy: Colin Farrell's performance really loves emphasizing how evil Bullseye is.
Evil Is Petty: He wants Daredevil dead for making him miss. He also murders an old lady during a plane ride just because she talked too much.
Fatal Flaw: His rampant sadism in how he likes to play with his victims. He took his sweet time fighting Elektra despite that he could easily just kill her quickly without the need of trying to kiss her. He took his time fighting off Daredevil, wanting to instill fear and pain in him when he exploits his sensitivity to sound. He takes far too long talking to him, bragging about how he killed Nikolas Natchios and gutted Daredevil's "pretty girlfriend" before trying to make the kill. Had he done that quicker, Daredevil wouldn't have heard the shot being fired in time, causing holes to go through Bullseye's hands and render him unable to fight back.
Faux Affably Evil: He acts playful to his victims and, around attractive women like the stewardess and Elektra, he acts suave and flirtatious. This barely hides how violent he is.
Fighting Irish: He has Colin Farrell's Dublin accent and is a sadistic killer.
Forceful Kiss: In the Director's Cut, Elektra gives him a scathing Death Glare for kissing her.
For the Evulz: Pretty much his main motivation for just about everything he does:
Kingpin: (seeing two of his guards dead) Was that really necessary?
Bullseye: Necessary? No. It was fun.
Hero Killer: He murders Elektra in cold blood. However, the one benefit is that Elektra gets resurrected and gains supernatural powers. Powers that would have been more useful during their fight, admittedly.
I Have You Now, My Pretty: He takes his time with Elektra, treating their fight as sexual pleasure. After slamming her head into the floor and picking her up before tossing her aside, his hand is clearly seen going to her rear. When holding her close, he tries to kiss her and whispers to her in an almost loving manner before impaling her. Even hours after, he recalls her with a lustful sigh.
Improbable Aiming Skills: This seems true to the comic book version of the character, with Bullseye being extremely deadly with anything he can throw, such as paperclips, glass shards and even peanuts.
In Love with the Mark: Downplayed. Bullseye is attracted to Elektra, but not in an innocent way. It's more of a violent, possibly willing to commit rape kind of attraction. It's also defied in that it doesn't stop him from hurting her or killing her.
Large Ham: Bullseye is always theatrical. Colin Farrell was clearly enjoying himself immensely.
No Sense of Personal Space: With Elektra, he took any opportunity he could to get too close for her comfort.
Not Good with Rejection: He's visibly upset Elektra sends him a Death Glare during his "Take That!" Kiss, losing his enjoyment of it despite that she clearly has no reason to kiss him back or anything.
Not Wearing Tights: He's dressed in mostly casual clothes with a Badass Longcoat. On seeing Daredevil's costume however, he demands one of his own.
Only Known by Their Nickname: Unless Bullseye really is what his parents named him, his real name is unknown like in the comics at the time. Notably, he doesn't use the "Ben Poindexter" alias he was known for, and this was before it was revealed that his first name is Lester.
Pet the Dog: He's a barely contained ball of violence who kills people for the slightest offense and assaults Elektra with an almost sexual delight that ranges on potentially committing rape, yet he only sends a warning shot to the Father of the Church and lets him leave with his life.
Precision F-Strike: "I want a fucking costume!"
Red Right Hand: The bullseye mark carved on his forehead.
Ret-Canon: Marvel would take the look of Bullseye from this movie and use it in various books, including the more adult Max comics. However, he's redesigned as to avoid using Colin Farrell's likeness, such as not using the facial hair.
The Sociopath: He's a very low-functioning variation, having little patience, unable to really hamper down or try to interact calmly with various people, and treats physical harm to people as an enjoyment.
Token Motivational Nemesis: His murder of Nikolas Natchios is what inspires Elektra to become more active in the main plot, even if she wrongly assumes it was Daredevil. Even though she doesn't win in her one fight with him, it may have inspired her to become a mercenary in her own film.
Villainous Crush: He has a blatant attraction to Elektra seconds upon meeting her. Not even having killed her seems to stop him from thinking about her lustfully.
Worthy Opponent: He seems to regard Matt as one, complimenting him for not going down easy and seeing killing him as his crowning achievement, even doing so for free.
Would Hit a Girl: He pulls no punches with women. For Elektra, hitting her seemed almost sexually euphoric to him.

Ben Urich

Played By: Joe Pantoliano

An investigative journalist.

Deadpan Snarker: He has his moments. Just look at who he's played by.
Intrepid Reporter: He's persistently on Daredevil's trail for the scoop. However, he withholds revealing his Secret Identity despite it being his goal due to the rampant crimes in the city.
Nice Guy: For the most part, Ben is an upstanding person who wants to do good and help his city.
Secret-Keeper: He figures out that Matt is Daredevil but ultimately decides to keep it to himself.

Jack Murdock

Played By: David Keith

Matt's late father.

Adaptation Name Change: His boxing Red Baron here is "The Devil". In the comics it's "Battlin' Jack".
Death by Origin Story: Fisk killing him inspired Matt to become Daredevil.
Heroic Second Wind: Gets one when in his final fight, as hearing Matt's encouragement inspires him to get back up and score a final legitimate win despite Falon having revealed that he had all of Jack's previous fights rigged in Jack's favour.
My God, What Have I Done?: He is immediately horrified when Matt sees him acting as an enforcer for Falon, and basically breaks down in tears when he visits Matt in hospital after his accident.
Red Baron: Known in the boxing world as "The Devil".

Nikolas Natchios

Played By: Erick Avari

Elektra's wealthy father.

Abusive Parents: Downplayed, and not as extreme as in the comics, but flashbacks in Elektra he was a very stern and strict parent to Elektra, making her do kicks in the pool for long periods of time even though she was little.
Adaptation Name Change: Nikolas' first name in the comics is Hugo.
Adaptational Heroism: In the comics, Hugo Natchios (see Adaptation Name Change) was an abusive husband and father, implied to have he molested Elektra as a little girl. While not much is seen of him in this film, it's implied Nikolas Natchios does care for his daughter, if a bit overprotective, having made her study with a different sensei since childhood to avoid making her a victim.
Alliterative Name: Nikolas Natchios.
Death by Origin Story: Bullseye's murder of him pushes Elektra into joining the battle between Fisk and Daredevil.
Helicopter Parents: Despite Elektra being a fully trained martial artist, one presumably in her early 30's as Jennifer Garner had been at the time of filming, Nikolas has a bodyguard follow her around.
Unwitting Instigator of Doom: His decision to leave Fisk is clearly a good idea... but not only does it get him killed, it gets his only child killed before coming back to life as a mercenary.

Foggy Nelson

Played By: Jon Favreau

Matt Murdock's law partner.

Adaptational Personality Change: Foggy Nelson, while still a good guy, is prone to greed and pettiness. Partially justified as their law firm is struggling financially since Matt refuses to represent wealthy (but guilty) clients.
Amoral Attorney: Foggy is a humorous version as he doesn't mind taking on guilty clients for money.
Jerkass Has a Point: Although Matt's desire to defend only the innocent and less wealthy is admirable, given how many rich clients they pass up and how little money they make, it's understandable Foggy doesn't share his compassion.
Shipper on Deck: Even though he jokes Matt should marry Elektra right away for her money, he shows genuine worry for Matt's quick relationship with her and expresses sympathy for her death.

Karen Page

Played By: Ellen Pompeo

Matt and Foggy's secretary.

Implied Love Interest: There are strong hints that she's attracted to Matt (as was the case in the source material).
Sexy Secretary: Nelson & Murdock's secretary played by the beautiful Ellen Pompeo.

Wesley Owen Welch

Played By: Leland Orser

Kingpin's right hand man.

Non-Action Guy: He doesn't like taking part in the action.
Number Two: He is Fisk's second-in-command.

Jose Quesada

Played By: Paul-Ben Victor

A despicable criminal who runs afoul of Daredevil.

Hate Sink: He's a rapist and openly smug about what he did and getting away with it. Since he lacks Kingpin's charisma or Bullseye's hammy behavior, the audience doesn't have much of a reason to enjoy his presence before he meets his end by a train Daredevil refuses to save him from.
Starter Villain: He's the first person Matt goes after as Daredevil.

Dante Jackson

Played By: Coolio

An ex-criminal on charge for the murder of Lisa Tazio.

Canon Foreigner: He is created exclusively for the director's cut of the film.

Old Man

Played By: Stan Lee

An old man who is helped by a young Matt.

Abled in the Adaptation: Assuming he is intended to be the old blind man whom Matt Murdock saved in the source material's origin story, he can at least see in this version. The problem is that he is a bit clueless.
Creator Cameo: One of Smilin' Stan's many trademarks. He appears as a clueless man whom a young and blind Matt Murdock saves from being run over while he is too focused on reading his newspaper while walking down the street.
Mythology Gag: While not confirmed, it's possible that this character's cameo is a reference to how Matt Murdock was blinded in the comic books when he prevented the truck with the chemicals which blinded him from running over a blind old man.
Too Dumb to Live: Focusing on reading your newspaper while crossing the street isn't a very good idea. Averted thanks to Matt Murdock's intervention.

Introduced in Elektra

Miller Family

Mark Miller

Played By: Goran Višnjić

Abby's father.

Alliterative Name: Mark Miller.
Canon Foreigner: He and his daughter are created specifically for the Elektra movie.

Abby Miller

Played By: Kirsten Prout

A girl who Elektra protects from The Hand.

Canon Foreigner: She and her father are created specifically for the Elektra movie.
Incompletely Trained: Due to being chased by the Hand she's been trained to defend herself. That said, she clearly isn't even on Elektra's level during the first film (in which Elektra was soundly defeated by Bullseye).
Morality Pet: Her friendship with Elektra helps her begin to soften up.
Obfuscating Stupidity: She actually has combat skills (though nowhere near Elektra's level even in the first film) despite her Troubled Teen exterior.
Troubled Teen: Being on the run from the Hand is clearly taking a toll on her emotionally and psychologically.

The Hand

Kirigi

Played By: Will Yun Lee

Roshi's son and a member of The Hand.

Big Bad: Even though he serves his father, Kirigi is the leader of the group from The Hand that's coming for Abby, making him the more active villain.
Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: He's a killer for hire like Bullseye. Bullseye was bald, wore a leather black longcoat, had impeccable aiming skills and found Elektra beautiful while hitting with almost sexual delight. Kirigi has long hair, a white Gi, relies on both mystical speed and his swords, and doesn't show an interest in Elektra yet had no problem taunting her. They also each killed one of her parents, though Elektra at least avenges her mother while Bullseye is still out there, albeit unable to do anything but talk and likely has no idea she's come back to life.
Final Boss: He's the last foe Elektra faces, and their fight is the final one in this short-lived cinematic universe.

Roshi

Played By: Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

The leader of The Hand.

Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: To the Kingpin. Unlike Fisk, he never gets involved in the fight and his ties to Elektra are near non-existent.
Greater-Scope Villain: He has clear authority over Kirigi but he barely factors into the plot.
The Unfought: He never gets involved in a fight with Elektra.

Typhoid

Played By: Natassia Malthe

A member of The Hand.

Stone

Played By: Bob Sapp