Thunderbolts* (2025) | Film Review

Marvel has had a rough go of it in the past few years. More misses than hits, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe for anyone emerging from a cave) has struggled to regain their footing after the phenomenal send-off of multiple characters in Avengers: Endgame. Then, missteps such as Eternals, Ant-Man 3, Thor 4, Kang, etc. The studio appeared lost at sea aside from the occasional Guardians or Deadpool film. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World provided an entertaining yet unremarkable entry, prompting the thought that maybe Marvel does not have anything fresh left in its sleeve? Well, Thunderbolts* is here to clear all that nonsense up.

I will inform you upfront that I will be keeping this review very limited. Thunderbolts* is a fantastic surprise of a film, Marvel has done a wonderful job marketing it so that many of its secrets are not in the ether, ergo I will not spoil them here either.

What I will tell you is that this film pulls together antiheroes of recent times – Alexei aka Red Guardian (David Harbour), TEMU Captain America John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), normie caught in the crossfire Bob (Lewis Pullman), and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) – in a meaningful tale of isolation, mental health, and the importance of a sound support system. Yes, Thunderbolts* is one of the deeper superhero films in eons.

Realizing they are being manipulated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, finally getting meat to chew on in this role), this gaggle of misfits team up to confront one of the more unique villains in MCU history, which I will not elaborate on.

What makes Thunderbolts* so unique is its innate ability to finally showcase the impact of their actions on unwitting mercenaries. Yelena, our de facto leader, hides in a shroud of darkness. Her character exudes that natural charisma Pugh is known for and additionally displays deep seeded loneliness amidst her seemingly mundane existence. Like the rest of this crew, she desperately seeks meaning, purpose, and connection.

Pugh is the heaviest hitter here, as the talented actress cements her position as the one who should be leading the next Avengers film (sorry, Sam). Her ability to capture and dominate any and every scene she is exactly the gravitas this and future films needs to rise above so many of their peers. As Yelena develops here and despite her arc appearing closer to Bucky’s than Steve’s, we can just see her following a similar path to our original Captain America. Pugh wears that much emotional depth coupled with engaging personality to wear those boots comfortably.

The rest of the cast serve their purpose dutifully and compel our attention entirely, though Ghost remains the most underserved, narratively speaking. It should be noted the additional heart and comedic value David Harbour injects with his almost whimsical performance. As a former superhero desperate for relevance, as well as the proudest poppa to ever support his daughter Yelena, it is impossible not to feel every ounce of his sheer humanity – for better and worse – in your pores.

That is the beauty of Thunderbolts*. Marvel is known for bombastic set-pieces (which are still found here aplenty), yet there is a weightier thematic element consistently simmering underneath. Elements of trauma, identity, and acceptance permeate the film even as audacious action scenes erupt in random intervals. At times, this feels like Marvel’s art-house project. A complex character piece centered around psychosis and personal evolution dressed in spandex.

There is so much more to unpack, especially in relation to one important character, but just as in therapy, at times you need to discover these moments for yourself. Walk in knowing that Marvel and director Jake Schreier have a solidified plan, it molds together beautifully, the asterisk is explained, and you will leave the theater dying to know where these yahoos will head next (stay after the credits for an important clue on that). Most importantly, wipe your brow in exhilaration, because Thunderbolts* is the best Marvel film in years.