THUNDERBOLTS* Review: "Redefines Superhero Storytelling To Deliver A Moving And Powerful Story"

THUNDERBOLTS* Review: "Redefines Superhero Storytelling To Deliver A Moving And Powerful Story"

Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be the Multiverse Saga's most critically acclaimed movie, but does it live up to the hype? You can read our thoughts on the latest MCU team-up here. Some spoilers follow...

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - May 01, 2025 02:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* doesn’t have much in common with the comic book version of this team, but then it’s not really a Thunderbolts movie. With a mixture of underutilised fan favourites and some of the best new additions to the Multiverse Saga, it establishes a superhero team as effectively as The Avengers in 2012. The MCU now has its New Avengers, and it’s all the better for it.  

For the most part, Thunderbolts* is a relatively standalone, self-contained story. With CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine looking to avoid being impeached, she dispatches Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster to take each other out, cleaning up the final bit of the mess she created while running O.X.E. Her plan fails, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, and Bob enter the fray, and the stage is set for an epic final battle in New York City laden with special effects and pretty much everything else we’ve come to expect from an MCU movie. 

However, it never actually comes. 

Make no mistake about it; there’s plenty of action to be found in Thunderbolts*, with filmmaker Jake Schreier creating some of the most kinetic, memorable fight scenes of any superhero blockbuster. Still, rather than give us the expected finale, the movie takes a deep dive into depression, loneliness, and the way past trauma shapes superheroes for an unexpected, emotional conclusion that is both high-stakes and undeniably refreshing. The movie is extremely exciting and there’s plenty of set pieces for comic book fans to salivate over, but this movie has something to say and its characters benefit hugely. The Sentry/The Void could have easily been another villain dispatched with a clever plan and lots of flashy special effects, forgotten by the time the credits roll. Instead, Bob is a character we come to care for deeply, as is the bond that forms between him and all of these disparate anti-heroes. 

Lewis Pullman and Florence Pugh are superb, exploring their respective characters in a meaningful and touching way that few superhero movies ever do. Showcasing his comic timing in some scenes and terrifyingly unhinged/Homelander-esque in others, Pullman is a scene-stealing delight who puts himself on the map here in a big way. As for Pugh, we know what an immense talent she is, but this beautiful, soulful performance cements her as a new face of the MCU. She needs to be front and centre in as many projects as possible moving forward because Pugh is up there with Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland as someone with the potential to build slates of movies and TV shows around.

Wyatt Russell is clearly having a blast as U.S. Agent, injecting John Walker with a little more quirkiness in the process. Sebastian Stan and David Harbour are also great, though it was a delight to see Hannah John-Kamen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus expand on Ghost and Val in a way that takes them from being fine supporting characters to compelling leads. Geraldine Viswanathan and Wendell Pierce are excellent; as for Olga Kurylenko, she needn’t have bothered showing up.

Thunderbolts* isn’t lacking much. The gags land, the visual effects are excellent, and The Sentry’s costume was worth the wait. We’d have liked to see a slightly more monstrous take on The Void in line with the comics, but the version we get works for the story being told, and it feels like there’s likely more to come with the villain. Really, it’s just a shame that Thunderbolts* is lacking any needle drops. Scherier’s movie is incredibly stylish, and a few scenes might have benefited from a catchy pop song. The filmmaker likely wanted to keep the focus on Son Lux’s score, and fortunately, that's strong enough to justify the lack of memorable tunes heard in the trailers. 

Schreier also finds ways to brilliantly subvert the genre. Upon realising that none of them can fly, the team finds a hilariously inventive way to escape an elevator shaft, but it's not a scene played solely for laughs. It also highlights where the characters are in that moment and how reluctant they are to work together.

Much has been said about Marvel Studios wanting to offer something different with Thunderbolts*. This is less unlike any MCU movie before it and more just a return to what works so well about the franchise’s best efforts. It 100% feels like what you want from a blockbuster set in this world, and yet, similar to how Captain America: The First Avenger was completely different from Iron Man, it's entirely its own thing. By exploring its characters in a way that this genre rarely does, the movie brings something new to the table, and crucially, it's relatable. That's always been what makes Marvel's characters special, and here, it plays a huge part in ensuring Thunderbolts* is a satisfying, special, and meaningful experience.

The exploration of mental health isn't preachy or tacked on. It's an essential part of the story and makes this feel like a true return to form for a franchise that, having released a greater number of movies and TV shows than ever before since Avengers: Endgame in 2019, has just proved it still has plenty to say. As a result, these go from being characters you might like to superheroes you’ll love; that’s a huge achievement, and cements this as one of the best MCU movies ever. 

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ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 5/1/2025, 2:18 PM
HYPED!. This movie looks fun.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 5/1/2025, 3:35 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - I'm catching it at 4pm EST. Definitely stoked for it.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 5/1/2025, 4:30 PM
@SonOfAGif - Damn you lucky
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 5/1/2025, 6:15 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - I loved it. It was awesome. It is definitely the Winter Soldier of the Multiverse Saga in regards to continuity and revelations.
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 5/1/2025, 2:21 PM
Can't wait! Shout-out to David Ayer and the 2016 Suicide Squad movie, for paving the way.
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 5/1/2025, 2:42 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - #releasetheayercut
Batmangina
Batmangina - 5/1/2025, 2:21 PM
FIVE STARS?!?

User Comment Image
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/1/2025, 3:02 PM
@Batmangina - yeah, shill reviewers are priority here. I created my review ahead by this and Mark's review by almost half a day and it is not published yet in the main site. What say you @NateBest ?

https://comicbookmovie.com/thunderbolts/thunderbolts-review-a-welcome-change-of-pace-from-the-usual-marvel-fare-a219065
BeyondtheFuture
BeyondtheFuture - 5/1/2025, 3:13 PM
@vectorsigma - to be fair, it is very good, their best in years.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 5/1/2025, 3:18 PM
@vectorsigma - So you figured the best way to get it published on the front page was to insult the site’s two biggest contributors? In the nicest way possible, your review needs a polish and a proofread. If you’re done being rude, I’d be happy to help you with that.
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 5/1/2025, 2:23 PM
Saw it last night. Took me about 20mins to get into it but loved it by the end.
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 5/1/2025, 2:24 PM
My friends saw it. Said it was great. I am gonna see it today and on Saturday with my friends. So I am excited. Heard sentry is done justice! So I am good!
Sinner
Sinner - 5/1/2025, 2:36 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - Sentry is done pure justice. Enjoy.
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 5/1/2025, 3:07 PM
@Sinner - I am so happy to hear that!
Sinner
Sinner - 5/1/2025, 2:38 PM
Yeah this is the one to beat. A major return to form for the MCU and easily one of their best.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 5/1/2025, 2:44 PM
@Sinner - i take it youve seen it? how does it compare to pre-Endgame vs post-Endgame quality?
Sinner
Sinner - 5/1/2025, 2:50 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - Pre-Endgame quality. It’s like an indie Avengers film, if that makes sense. Honestly, it’s up there.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 5/1/2025, 6:04 PM
@Sinner - i dig it... im excited to see it next weekend
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 5/1/2025, 2:41 PM
"and a few scenes might have benefited from a catchy pop song"

Literally the worst thing about movies today is shoehorning in a catchy pop song.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 5/1/2025, 2:46 PM
Good, honest review for a change... which is welcomed.

Glad it seems to be a good movie and not trying to hard to be something its not.

Ill be there next weekend and am pumped to see it. Glad Pullman is getting some love in this; he was great as Bob in Maverick. Pugh is a superstar and only getting better so that makes sense. Hoping to fall in love with Marvel all over again like i did years ago
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 5/1/2025, 6:15 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - Honestly, this team of Thunderbolts/Avengers is almost more endearing to me than the original team. These are very flawed folks, and it shows.
Alucard28
Alucard28 - 5/1/2025, 2:49 PM
Not hyped but both maybe I'll watch...
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/1/2025, 2:51 PM
The scene where their spoofing on usagent is worth the price of admission to me
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 5/1/2025, 2:53 PM
Not shocked josh gave it five stars.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/1/2025, 2:58 PM
Lolz, my review not getting published. AT ALL. If you want a non-shill review:

https://comicbookmovie.com/thunderbolts/thunderbolts-review-a-welcome-change-of-pace-from-the-usual-marvel-fare-a219065
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 5/1/2025, 3:14 PM
I haven’t seen the film yet but from what I’ve gathered it’s really good which means Fiege and Disney’s basic plan has paid off. They need this to succeed in order to increase hype for the next two avengers movies. This is a smart move by Disney with this film because it’s an ensemble feature just like the avengers. It’s story, narrative and themes are synonymous with the avengers. I’m glad it’s good, compensating for the disappointing Captain America: BNW
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/1/2025, 3:48 PM
Good review Josh.

The movie sounds solid so I’m looking forward to checking it out this weekend!!.

User Comment Image

Also again , the Thunderbolts team has had various iterations with different mission statements throughout the years in which the comic counterparts of these characters have been a part of them until recently or been in one or more incarnations such as Bucky…

A big theme of the Thunderbolts comics for a lot of the characters since the very first version has been redemption which seems to be one in here aswell so while it may not be based on one particular iteration of the team , it picks & chooses members that have been a part of it through the years and tells its own story that remains true to the spirit of those comics imo (even if it’s been amalgamated to an extent with other elements such as Sentry & the New Avengers)
fanboy03191
fanboy03191 - 5/1/2025, 6:14 PM
One of my favorite MCU films in recent memory. It was really awesome.

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