THUNDERBOLTS* Ending Explained: The Sentry's Surprising Role And One Of The MCU's Biggest Twists - SPOILERS

THUNDERBOLTS* Ending Explained: The Sentry's Surprising Role And One Of The MCU's Biggest Twists - SPOILERS

Thunderbolts* has finally arrived in theaters, and we're delving into the movie's final act to bring you a breakdown of The Sentry's role and what that surprising twist means for the MCU moving forward.

By JoshWilding - May 02, 2025 10:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters, and we're now taking an even deeper dive into the latest MCU title's conclusion and what it means for the MCU's future. 

In the movie, we learn that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was attempting to create her own superhero for O.X.E. called "The Sentry." Bob is revealed to be the only survivor and ultimately falls into Val's hands; she forges ahead with transforming the former meth addict into the Golden Guardian, attempts to hit his kill switch when he declares himself a God, and inadvertently unleashes The Void. 

Yelena Belova is the first to enter the physical manifestation of The Void, and alongside her fellow Thunderbolts, she and Bob overcome the darkness within him (courtesy of a group hug, no less). Yelena has also battled her inner demons and emerges in a happier, healthier place. 

New York is saved, and Bob appears to have no memory of what he did as The Sentry. Val created The Sentry by experimenting on people like Bob (countless "volunteers" died), and the team sets out to bring her to justice.

However, they're fooled into walking straight into a press conference where she immediately introduces them as the "New Avengers." Val tells the press that she was working on their formation in secret, saving her job and reputation in the process. 

However, as Yelena Belova quietly points out to her, the team "owns" her now; based on the post-credits scene, that likely means the CIA Director will fund the group and allow them to work out of The Watchtower. In exchange, they'll keep her secret and serve as the MCU's New Avengers.  

If this press conference sounds familiar, it's because it appears to have been inspired by a few specific comic book moments, harkening back to Captain America adding Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver to the team. However, this feels more like it was pulled from Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers and Dark Avengers runs.

Have you watched Thunderbolts* in theaters yet? 

In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes - Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

"Thunderbolts* redefines superhero storytelling to deliver a moving and powerful story that does for the 'Multiverse Saga' what The Avengers did for the 'Infinity Saga' in 2012," we said in our review. "These heroes have earned their place on a Wheaties box."

The cast of Thunderbolts* will be led by Florence Pugh as Yelena Boleva, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and Lewis Pullman as "Bob."

Written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo, and directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters.

THUNDERBOLTS* Poster Spotlights Sentry/The Void; Florence Pugh Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photos
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THUNDERBOLTS* Poster Spotlights Sentry/The Void; Florence Pugh Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photos

THUNDERBOLTS* Gets A Boost From Positive Word Of Mouth Heading Into Thunderous Opening Weekend
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slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 5/2/2025, 10:47 AM
Can’t wait for another 15 articles… by the end of the day yall won’t even need to see the movie.
Need them clicks
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 5/2/2025, 10:47 AM
A ticket for bad woke MCU is a vote for more bad woke MCU.

The humor in this doesn't work.

Save your money, time, and energy for better things.

This will be free on your TV soon enough.
ShellHead
ShellHead - 5/2/2025, 10:57 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - who said you could leave your room
Rpendo
Rpendo - 5/2/2025, 11:07 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - Did your girlfriend not like the humor?

Did she think it was too woke?



Ahahahahahahaha, I kid, I kid
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 5/2/2025, 12:38 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - run along racist. Still waiting for reply on the other post when you outed yourself
EskimoJ
EskimoJ - 5/2/2025, 1:31 PM
@BigPhilbowski - Which one? Did you report it?
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 5/2/2025, 1:38 PM
@EskimoJ - we were on about comic accuracy in movies and he was complaining about race swapping in movies how bad it is etc. And how he'd doesn't mind some comic inaccuracies but race swapping is whee he draws the line. Then I baited him into praising Batman Begins for comic accuracy. Then when I pointed out that that movie cast Liam Neeson as a half Chinese/half Arab character and why doesn't he have an issue with that race swap and why does his anger only apply to white characters who get swapped. A few others jumped in too looking for answers and he went quiet for 2 days and has dipped everytime I've pressed him for an answer since then. Poor fragile little man has been running since
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 5/2/2025, 1:50 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - I'm the first one to agree when something is pushing some kind of agenda. But there was none of that in this movie.
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/2/2025, 2:24 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - I woke up this morning get my check see movie I like movie it shows dangers of addiction drug and alcohol woke cooking food is also good
evilbastard
evilbastard - 5/2/2025, 2:49 PM
@BigPhilbowski - He still can't tell me where and how being WOKE actually happened. He'd be pooping his pants when he realizes who started the WOKE movement.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 5/2/2025, 10:47 AM
They should've FULLY shown the other "Bad" rooms for the indiviual Thunderbolts and what 'demons' they still had to overcome when they enter the Void.

I think that would've flesh out the characters a bit more and make the movie feel a bit more completed.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 5/2/2025, 10:49 AM
@Nomis929 -

This isn't R rated.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 5/2/2025, 10:51 AM
@Nomis929 - I agree. I wanted to see more of their BAD rooms. Yelena's was interesting and I thought they would then delve into a few of the other members rooms too.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 5/2/2025, 11:00 AM
@MisterBones - I wanted to find out a bit more about Walker/USAgent.
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 5/2/2025, 4:21 PM
@Nomis929 - tbf we already saw that in FatWS. And his main issue in this was his wife leaving him
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 5/2/2025, 10:52 AM
I wlll say they really did a good job interperting the Sentry uniform on screen.

It could've come off as goofey but it looked great. I just wished they made his hair longer and wilder similar to the comics.

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MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 5/2/2025, 10:56 AM
@Nomis929 -

Lewis Pullman should play Lone Starr and Vespa Starr's son.
Rpendo
Rpendo - 5/2/2025, 11:07 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - Did seeing him in that tight, gold suit give you funny feelings inside that you have trouble explaining?
GodHercules20
GodHercules20 - 5/2/2025, 11:27 AM
@Nomis929 - Sentry did have shorter hair in some comics

This the look the they went for

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grendelthing
grendelthing - 5/2/2025, 11:43 AM
@Nomis929 - The padding is all kinda weird around the chest and "abs" tho
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 5/2/2025, 1:52 PM
@Nomis929 - I thought they did a fantastic job with Sentry in general. I didnt think they would get him right in a million years, but he was easily the best part.

That scene of him wrecking the team on Avengers Tower was just pure gold man.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/2/2025, 10:57 AM
It’s interesting how this movie has amalgamated a few ideas from the comics like the MCU has done before but really mashed them up together with The Thunderbolts being a more informal name given by Alexei while they transition into being the MCU’s version of The New Avengers while having elements of the Dark Avengers aswell…

It makes the film oddly feel more unique in a way aswell due to that mish mash imo.

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bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/2/2025, 2:03 PM
@TheVisionary25 - I like it managed to bring the various aspect together. Easily could've turned into a mess. Hopefully we get to see Norman/Iron Patriot be added to the team for a Dark Reign/Siege adaptation.
NGFB
NGFB - 5/2/2025, 11:11 AM
This is insulting. The ending doesn't need to be "explained". It's pretty straightforward. Great fun movie! My theater (about half full for very first showing at 2pm yesterday) actually clapped at the end! Recommend seeing it on the big screen (I went IMAX!)
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 5/2/2025, 1:54 PM
I'm so happy to finally be able to say I genuinely enjoyed an MCU project from start to finish. That hasn't really happened since Infinity War.
CAPTAINPINKEYE
CAPTAINPINKEYE - 5/2/2025, 2:24 PM
I’m glad the movie is being explained the day it came out. At 2pm of the day it came out. Now I don’t need to see it.

Thanks for the explanation.
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/2/2025, 2:27 PM
Saw it today enjoyed very much sends good message yes about loneliness and depression also about drugs and alcohol addiction could have sent stronger message about alcohol but it was good this is underrated movie this is one of better movies I have saw after avengers end game I like alot others didn’t have that effect I want to see again more than once excited to see in theater from trailers.,

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