Thunderbolts*

Marvel finds its footing with a darker, character-driven team-up.

It has been 13 films and six years since Avengers: Endgame (2019) capped off an unlikely decade of interwoven blockbusters that defined a cinematic era. In the years since, Disney has often appeared adrift—lacking clear direction or consistent quality. A slew of mostly forgettable Disney+ shows only diluted the goodwill the brand had painstakingly built. Since Bob Iger’s return as CEO, the studio has imposed cutbacks, signaling a phase of damage control. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World (2025) sacrificed quality in an attempt to start connecting the disparate threads of the past few years. Now comes Thunderbolts* (2025), aiming to further right the ship.

Thunderbolts* functions as a spiritual sequel to Black Widow (2021) while also gathering loose ends from several sidelined MCU characters. CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is under investigation for her unauthorized use of enhanced individuals—including Secret Agent (Wyatt Russell), Yelena (Florence Pugh), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)—in covert operations. In an effort to erase the evidence, she attempts to eliminate her former operatives, only to spark a rebellion. The group, now joined by reformed Winter Soldier and current Congressman Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the bombastic Red Guardian (David Harbour), and the mysterious lab experiment Bob (Lewis Pullman), turn against her.

Directed by Jake Schreier—best known for Paper Towns (2015) and the acclaimed miniseries Beef (2023)—Thunderbolts* stands out in the MCU for its focus on character over spectacle. Schreier, working with a small writing team (Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo), simplifies the typical Marvel formula. The result is a film that forgoes a barrage of action set-pieces in favor of character development, introspective banter, and emotional depth. While de Fontaine plays the familiar government villain, a surprising secondary antagonist (unnamed here to avoid spoilers) shifts the narrative toward themes of isolation and mental health. By spending time with its characters and exploring their feelings of rejection and regret, Thunderbolts* builds to an emotionally resonant finale that feels earned. Yes, there's still the standard punching and explosions, but beneath it lies a refreshing psychological lesson in solidarity and compassion—one that avoids sentimentality and instead feels genuinely moving.

That said, Thunderbolts* is still a derivative film, borrowing liberally from Suicide Squad (2016) and relying heavily on prior knowledge from Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). At this stage in the MCU, it’s nearly impossible to craft a truly standalone story, but Schreier comes impressively close. Within the constraints of the studio machine, he manages to create a distinct and surprisingly self-contained experience.

For an ensemble film, Thunderbolts* balances its screen time well among its leads, though Pugh’s Yelena emerges as the clear centerpiece—and deservedly so. Pugh remains magnetic, elevating a fairly standard backstory through sheer force of performance. Russell and John-Kamen also benefit from more screen time, but it’s Pullman’s Bob who unexpectedly steals the show. Bringing nuance, vulnerability, and mystery to a role that could’ve been flat, Pullman cements his rising-star status and anchors the film’s emotional arc alongside Pugh. Meanwhile, Harbour, Stan, and Dreyfus are unfortunately shortchanged—falling into stock roles of comic relief, stoic warrior, and cartoonish villain, respectively—moments that occasionally undercut the film’s more grounded emotional beats.

Still, Thunderbolts* offers the jolt of energy the MCU sorely needed. With a tighter story and renewed focus on character, it dodges many of the franchise’s recent missteps. While it’s not free of Marvel's usual formulaic trappings, it’s a promising reminder that there are still stories worth telling—and ways to tell them with heart—inside the ever-expanding Marvel machine.

7.4/10