Published June 4th, 2025
BY OLIVIA FORT
From sharp humor to unexpected emotional depth, Jake Schreier’s “Thunderbolts*” delivers a refreshing take on the superhero genre with even the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s misfit characters getting their moment to shine, proving unconventional heroes can leave lasting impacts, whether they’re ex-assassins or shunned heroes.
Courtesy of MARVEL STUDIOS
Florence Pugh leads the ensemble as Yelena Belova, the new Black Widow, struggling with grief and searching
for purpose. When she’s sent on a mission to erase evidence of a failed experiment, she finds herself caught in a tangled web of betrayal, forced to team up with a ragtag team of reformed anti-heros come together to confront not only a common foe, but also their pasts.
The team consists of fellow outcasts–John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenkos) and newly elected Congressman Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)–as they fight together to survive. Their reluctant alliance is tested as they uncover the truth behind the experiment and face off against CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), whose self-preserving plans threaten them all.
Despite its heavy themes of mental health and trauma, “Thunderbolts*” balances its intensity with humor. Pugh’s dry wit and David Harbour’s comedic timing as Red Guardian uplifts the film, preventing it from becoming overly grim.
The action sequences are tightly choreographed, offering the classic martial arts that audiences know and love. Unlike recent Marvel entries that have relied heavily on computer generated imagery, “Thunderbolts*” takes a more grounded approach, focusing more on character-driven conflicts rather than universe-altering stakes.
Yet the film is not without flaws, as the pacing stumbles some in the first act and the story takes time to establish its ensemble cast. While the film avoids excessive franchise-building, it still leans on past MCU knowledge, which may leave some newer viewers feeling slightly lost.
Though emotionally satisfying, the final act follows a predictable trajectory, making the climax less impactful than it could have been and the ending infuriating.
“Thunderbolts*” succeeds in delivering a superhero film that feels fresh yet familiar. With compelling performances, engaging action and a story that prioritizes character over spectacle, it’s a welcomed addition to the MCU. Whether you’re a longtime Marvel Fan or just looking for an entertaining action film, “Thunderbolts*” is worth the watch.
7/10
