Thunderbolts* Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

The antithesis of The Avengers, this new chapter of the MCU is the mirror image of Marvel's first superhero team-up. Can it keep up with Iron-Man & Co., though?

Genre: Action / Drama / Sci-Fi 

Director: Jake Schreier

Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Geraldine Viswanathan, Wendell Pierce & Olga Kurylenko.

Run Time: 126 min.

US Release: 02 May 2025

UK Release: 02 May 2025

German Release: 01 May 2025

It's Superhero*… sorry Antihero Sunday, and since last Sunday was May fourth, it's finally time for my Thunderbolt* review! Marvel is a rollercoaster of quality since the ending of the Infinity Saga. For every good comic book blockbuster, two more come out that unfortunately suck. So, is this new entry in the Multiverse Saga a turn for the MCU? It’s difficult to say, although it is a step in the right direction. Even more surprising is the fact that it took Marvel this long until it realised it can release a draker, anti-hero team up. So, blast with me through my review…

Betrayed, as well as finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unlikely team of misfits needs to work together, embarking on a dangerous mission that will force each one to confront their dark pasts.

Talks about a possible concept for an adaptation of Marvel's “super criminal team-up” comics were way back in 2014. James Gunn expressed interest, yet Feige opted to wait to see how Guardians of the Galaxy did at the box office. Gunn lost interest after having directed DC’s similar concept, The Suicide Squad. Eric Pearson, writer of Black Widow, picked up the idea as he saw the potential in Belova’s character as a natural leader. Schreier was attached to the project in 2022 as director, after blowing away Disney execs with a special presentation. 

After the mixed bag that was Captain America: Brave New World, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to the cinema to watch the Thunderbolts*; however, to my surprise, the plot was not only engaging, but brought up topics I didn’t even expect from a Marvel flick. For one, the inclusion of mental health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress, the feeling of solitude, or even split personalities, was a refreshing change for a superhero movie. 

Does it feel familiar? Yes, writer Jake Schreier basically took the core narrative of the first Avengers film, flipping it over and reversing the plot, infusing it with nuances of melancholy that are balanced by classical levity. The experience is familiar plus innovative.

While the inclusion of mental illness is admirable, the conquering of such conditions is oversimplified. Then there is also the typical MCU humour, which breaks the drama or tension at the wrong moments. Instead of letting audiences endure the emotions of the characters, writers opted to prematurely end it with misplaced comedy.

The humour comes primarily in the form of jokes, as part of the dialogue. This comes as a deficit when members of the squad try to resolve their inner demons, causing their reluctance in camaraderie.

Florence Pugh, as Yelena Belova, is the emotional anchor and lead of the picture. Pugh gives her persona vulnerability through regret, as well as trauma. Her acting is balanced, giving Yelena more depth than in previous appearances. She has wonderful chemistry with all her co-stars, especially David Harbour, who returns as Alexei Shoshtakov, a.k.a. Red Guardian, providing most of the comic relief. Harbour gives a charming, layered rendition.

Sebastian Stan, who picks up his role of Bucky Barns, has been fleshed out in previous features. He maintains his haunted portrayal of the character, establishing a believable bond with Pugh’s Yelena through shared trauma. Wyatt Russell also returns as John Walker / U.S. Agent, continuing to paint Walker with a mix of machismo, insecurity, plus resentment for what he became. 

Lewis Pullman as Bob, a.k.a. Sentry/Void, is the third act villain. The amnesia from the comics has been rewritten for the film, making it work well. His part is the embodiment of depression and multiple personality disorder. Julia Louis-Dreyfus comes back as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who is the real villain, working from the shadows. She maintains her persona’s manipulativeness, paired with sharp wit. 

Unfortunately, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost pulls the short straw, given a more limited screen time compared to her co-stars. Equally, Olga Kurylenko’s Tasmakster has no impact at all, compared to what the marketing suggested. Her character stays underwritten.  

Visually, this superhero blockbuster opts to adapt to the darker storyline, embracing gritty aesthetics and desaturated colours of grey. The editing builds momentum, while the use of cross-cuts includes exposition plus build-up to bigger action segments that are intense, though more grounded. Technically, the action emulates shots of other blockbusters, such as Terminator 2.

Practical effects used in stunts are perceptibly stimulating, adding to the solid camera work. It is regrettably the computer effects that are inconsistent, looking at times rough, as well as unpolished, particularly once the villain Void comes to play. 

The soundtrack was composed by the experimental band Son Lux, which offered dramatic melody, pensive tunes, just like a reversed, Avengers-like, orchestral theme. 

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Verdict: Jake Schreier’s latest entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a bolt drift from recent projects by the studio. The atmosphere is broodier, adopting topics of mental health issues, such as trauma, grief, depression and multiple personal identities. However, it does oversimplify the seriousness of such suffering. In addition, the typical awkward comedy that Marvel is known for resurfaces to break the tension. Among the movie’s strongest assets is the acting, with stellar performances throughout the cast. Florence Pugh is the standout, bringing emotional weight to the character of Yelena. Cinematographically, it mirrors the screenplay, combining darker tones with grounded action. The stunts are solid, the battles well-framed, the only issue was the CGI looking unfinished. All in all, Thunderbolts* is a step back, in the right direction for Marvel. It deserves a solid 8.0  out of 10. 

So, have you seen the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Do you agree with my review? Leave your opinion in the comment section below. Thank you very much for reading!