“Thunderbolts*” is causing quite the spark in the box office this weekend, exceeding the expectations of Marvel fans all over. The film features a stacked cast starring Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Sebastian Stan and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. With fans not knowing what to expect after “Avengers: Endgame,” “Thunderbolts*” takes the Marvel structure to a whole new territory, fighting not only the villains, but also our mental demons.
Falling cinematically in the year 2027 after the events of “Captain America: Brave New World” and giving fans the long-awaited return of Pugh’s character Yelena, who we last saw in the TV series “Hawkeye” and cinematically in the post-credit scene of “Black Widow.” This film follows Yelena’s mental health journey, navigating her childhood trauma, her uncertainty with her current place in life, her career and relationship with her father. In her journey throughout this film, she ends up teaming up, out of necessity, with a ragtag team of underdogs to save Bob (played by Pullman) and to defeat greed-driven Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Louis-Dreyfus).
Hayley here – and as a casual Marvel fan, I really wasn’t sure what to expect going into this movie. However, it greatly exceeded my expectations using the familiar structure we have seen time and time again in Marvel films, but adding in some sentimental heart and twists to the plot. The balance between superhero action, humor and emotional depth was done incredibly well, while maintaining accuracy to all comic book characters’ origin stories. In particular, the relationship between Yelena and her father Alexei (played by Harbour) struck a nerve in me in the best way possible. It was refreshing to see a complicated emotional dynamic revolve around a father-daughter duo versus a romantic entanglement.
I also enjoyed how they gave many characters a moment to reflect on their worst nightmares that they had yet to face, despite coming across as these incredibly strong superheroes. The duality and lessons in this film, I think, spoke volumes to the mental health crisis we are seeing in the United States today, and was not something I expected to be touched on in a Marvel film.
Like Hayley, I (Francine) was just as pleasantly surprised by the film’s direction. “Thunderbolts*” takes a more human, heartfelt approach to the Marvel formula, and it has the perfect cast to pull it off. Despite all their rough edges and conflicting original missions, the group quickly unites and the audience becomes just as attached as they unravel each of their heart-wrenching stories. Alongside beloved Marvel antiheroes like Yelena and Bucky, newcomer Bob shares the same complex past and mental health struggles that bring an important conversation to the big screen. Following a team of underdogs always pulls at the heartstrings, but this trope within the Marvel universe adds another layer to the complex world, focusing on a realistically human side to the superheroes we know and love.
Showing this vulnerable side of heroes filled with loss and loneliness made “Thunderbolts*” not feel like just another piece in Marvel’s endless puzzle. Yes, it fits into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (and wow, am I excited to see where it’s headed after watching that post-post-credits scene…), but it also stands worthy on its own, telling an important story that doesn’t rely on endless cameos or franchise setups. The film’s darker tone, gritty visuals and vulnerable emotional lens made it feel more like a character-driven drama with superhero stakes rather than just another action blockbuster Marvel pumped out.
In the end, “Thunderbolts*” offers not only thrilling fights and sharp humor, but also a genuine look at what it means to carry guilt, grief and the slow, painful journey of healing. It reminds us that even the most powerful heroes are human, and that’s what makes their strength to keep fighting so inspiring.
We happily rate this film 4/5 stars– “Thunderbolts*” delivers all the hits, both emotional and literal!
