Thunderbolts* delivers a surprisingly engaging team-up, proving that even the MCU’s outcasts can shine.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe takes a detour from its usual heroic formula with Thunderbolts*, a film that assembles a team of antiheroes and reformed villains for a mission that’s as chaotic as it is compelling. While not without its familiar MCU trappings, Thunderbolts* manages to carve out its own space by leaning into the damaged psyches and reluctant camaraderie of its unlikely protagonists.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
The film sees Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, ever-smirking and manipulative) recruiting a motley crew of villainous MCU bit-players in the deadliest way possible. This team, comprised of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), is a far cry from the Avengers. They’re all skilled, yes, but also burdened by their pasts, their motivations often murky, and their methods questionable. Adding to this volatile dynamic is Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman), a character with godlike abilities and a fragile mental state, whose involvement in the mission becomes increasingly crucial and unpredictable as the story unfolds. The mission forces them to confront not only external threats but also the demons within their own fractured lives.
(L-R): Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) in Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
Thunderbolts* doesn’t shy away from the darker corners of the MCU. The narrative, while containing familiar action beats, delves into themes of redemption, trauma, and the struggle to find purpose after lives spent in the shadows. The filmmakers manage to balance the superhero spectacle with moments of genuine emotional vulnerability. The stakes are high and intricately woven with the emergence and control of Sentry’s powers, serving as a backdrop for exploring the characters’ internal conflicts and their evolving relationships. There’s a sense of unease that permeates the film, a feeling that these characters are always on the edge, ready to fall back into their old ways.
(L-R): Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
The strength of Thunderbolts* lies in its ensemble cast. Each of the antiheroes is given a chance to shine, revealing layers beyond their initial villainous personas. Yelena grapples with her past, Bucky diverts his trauma for good, and Walker struggles with his flawed heroism. Pullman’s portrayal of Bob/Sentry is excellent, capturing a sense of underlying power struggling against a gentle, almost childlike innocence. His interactions with the other members of the team, who are both wary of and intrigued by his abilities, provide some of the film’s most compelling moments. The film wisely avoids painting these characters in simple black-and-white terms, instead embracing the moral ambiguity that makes them so compelling.
(L-R): John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Sentry (Lewis Pullman) in Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
The cast delivers strong performances across the board. Pugh continues to prove her charisma and range, bringing both vulnerability and fierce determination to Yelena. Stan, as Bucky, portrays a world-weary weariness that hints at the character’s long and painful journey. David Harbour provides much-needed comic relief, but also taps into Red Guardian’s underlying insecurities. Wyatt Russell, as John Walker, walks a fine line between sympathetic and detestable, while Lewis Pullman manages to convey his character’s immense power while also portraying a touching vulnerability, making Bob/Sentry most intriguing. Under the direction of Jake Schreier, the actors find a rhythm that allows both the dramatic and comedic elements of the film to land effectively.
(L-R): John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2025 MARVEL.
Schreier, known for his work on the hit TV show Beef, brings a grounded sensibility to the often bombastic world of superhero cinema. While the film delivers the requisite action set pieces, Schreier’s direction focuses on the human element, finding moments of quiet introspection amidst the chaos. He allows the actors space to explore the complexities of their characters, resulting in performances that feel surprisingly nuanced. The action sequences are well-staged and coherent, avoiding the frenetic editing that plagues some superhero films. Schreier’s ability to balance the film’s darker themes with its lighter moments is commendable.
Thunderbolts* is an entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful entry in the MCU. It may not reach the heights of the best Avengers films, but it offers a refreshing change of pace by focusing on a group of characters who are often overlooked. The film’s willingness to embrace moral ambiguity and explore the psychological toll of their past actions sets it apart from more straightforward superhero fare.
Fun Fact:
The shot of the lab Yelena blows up was an actual charged explosion set off on a floor of a building. There was no CGI in the shot.
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