THUNDERBOLTS* Review: Superheroes Vs. Depression In What Might Become Your New Favorite Marvel Movie

THUNDERBOLTS* Review: Superheroes Vs. Depression In What Might Become Your New Favorite Marvel Movie

Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts arrives in theaters this weekend, and the latest MCU movie is the best the studio has had to offer in years...

Review Opinion
By MarkCassidy - May 01, 2025 10:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts

"Marvel is so back!" Not the first time we've heard this (and it probably won't be the last), but on the strength of the studio's latest movie, it might just be true this time.

Even if you've enjoyed Marvel Studios' post-Avengers: Endgame efforts, it's difficult to argue with the perception that the once untouchable MCU has not been firing on all cylinders since Tony Stark's noble sacrifice put an end to Thanos' machinations in the block-busting Infinity Saga finale.

There have been some bright spots (whatever you may happen to think of the movie, Deadpool and Wolverine certainly gave the franchise a much-needed box office jolt), but by and large, the notion that the studio has been treading water with lacklustre efforts such as The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and the most recent Captain America: Brave New World is hard to dismiss.

With Thunderbolts*, Kevin Feige and co. have managed to recapture some of the old magic by pulling back on spectacle and CGI superhero battles (though the movie does feature its share of impressive action sequences) in favor of a more introspective approach to its characters and a surprising premise: Superheroes vs. depression.

Before you recoil in horror at the prospect of the Marvel machine ploughing in on sensitive topics such as mental health, crippling self-doubt and suicidal thoughts (yes, things get pretty bleak), director Jake Schreier and his writers Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo do a fine job of tackling these subjects with care and a modicum of subtlety (believe it or not) while also delivering on the usual MCU tropes.

Our team of disillusioned antiheroes assemble when CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) finds herself under impeachment for illegal experiments on humans in an attempt to create a super... person who could be installed to replace The Avengers as Earth's Mightiest Hero. Val sends any assets who know a little too much - Former Red Room assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), disgraced Captain America wannabe John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), teleporting former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Black Widow baddie Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) - to a secret underground bunker in the hopes that they'll kill each other (even if they don't, they're basically walking into a giant incinerator).

Unfortunately for Val, the group's resourcefulness and a wildcard in the form of Lewis Pullman's shifty amnesiac Bob - a human test subject she wasn't aware had survived her clean-up op - lead to their escape. Along with Yelena's adoptive father Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Congressmen Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the "Thunderbolts" (they reluctantly take the name of a younger Belova's useless soccer team) join forces to put a stop to Val's nefarious plans, which involve a now fully powered-up and highly unstable Bob/Sentry.

A crew of disparate characters forming a bond and realizing their potential in the face of overwhelming odds isn't exactly an original concept, but Thunderbolts* feels fresh in its approach and execution. Though there are flesh and blood villains to be taken down, the movie's big bad - a literal Void - represents the darkness, fear of failure and uncertainty our protagonists must overcome to move forward. The script isn't afraid to take this group therapy session to some dark places, and the film's most emotionally impactful moments come via a number of third act interactions between these broken individuals as they try to figure out a way to defeat more than one seemingly invincible enemy.

But this is still a superhero movie at the end of the day, and there are a several exciting action sequences (isn't it funny how the action is more effective when we care about the characters involved?), including the initial meet-fight, Bucky's Terminator 2-inspired motorcycle chase, and - mild spoilers ahead - the team doing their best to bring down Sentry in Val's Watchtower.

The ever-present MCU humor is also on full display, but - crucially - the vast majority of the gags land, and don't become the movie's default setting. When things take a more sombre turn, those moments are given space to breathe without the interjection of a witty one-liner.

From a performance standpoint, the movie belongs to Pugh, who makes a strong case for Yelena to take just as much of the spotlight as Captain America or any other heavy hitter in the upcoming Avengers films. There's a reason the versatile Dune: Part Two star has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents, and making her the main focus here was a wise move. The rest of the cast are also on top form (John-Kamen deserves her flowers), but it's actually Pullman who ends up giving Pugh a run for her money as the standout in a very difficult role.

Thunderbolts* doesn't necessarily break the Marvel mould, but nor does it try to. It's a simple story told well, with compelling characters and a strong, surprisingly thoughtful emotional core. The best Marvel movie since Avengers: Endgame? That's certainly debatable, but give it a chance and Thunderbolts* might just become your new favorite. 

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

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JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/1/2025, 7:42 AM
I didn't see this coming, I thought the early fan screenings were a bad sign 😮‍💨

I had the Chance to be TheThunderClunge!!

It may still happen if I enjoy the movie 😌
Latverian
Latverian - 5/1/2025, 12:43 PM
@JurassicClunge - Clungerbolt would also be acceptable.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 5/1/2025, 1:33 PM
@Latverian - hmmm that could work, I'm just not sure if it sounds filthy enough sir! 😌
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 5/1/2025, 7:51 AM
good review. ill be seeing it next week and will make up my own mind, but im glad its not the typical paint by numbers MCU movie. im excited to see Sentry and Bucky
Fanmar16
Fanmar16 - 5/1/2025, 10:37 AM
Thunderbolts is a scam, but in a good way

You go to see a superhero action movie, but you find yourself with a wonderful story of self-improvement

I really didn't see that coming
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/1/2025, 2:03 PM
@Fanmar16 - what story good vs bad , bad vs bad , bad save world/ save some someone as prisoner , good or bad become hero’s bad fails kill hero rule world hero win same with plot story and plot always remain same all time never ever changes
AllsGood
AllsGood - 5/1/2025, 10:41 AM
Marvel Studios Thunderbolts going today.

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AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 5/1/2025, 10:46 AM
Can't we just have something that was entertaining

I mean what was the message with infinity war.... what was the message with endgame....

MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/1/2025, 11:10 AM
@AllsNotGood - there's no "message" in Thunderbolts aside from... Take care of yourselves.
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 5/1/2025, 11:50 AM
@MarkCassidy - good....but I don't need them to tell me that
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/1/2025, 11:53 AM
@AllsNotGood - Ok, just watch Tom and Jerry cartoons all day then. No messages there ... dammit, I guess don't hit animals with hammers?
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 5/1/2025, 11:56 AM
@MarkCassidy - there is messaging in tom and jerry. No matter how much you try and fail...the next time might be the one
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 5/1/2025, 12:23 PM
@MarkCassidy - what does that even mean? Who needs to be told that in a comic book movie?
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/1/2025, 2:04 PM
@AllsNotGood - that’s what movies and tv shows video games made for what you don’t like entertainment other people will
Rpendo
Rpendo - 5/1/2025, 2:05 PM
@AllsNotGood - Endgame was about grieving, and the processing of grief.

Winter Soldier was about freedom versus security, and the risks of both.

Logan was about the dangers of deifying one’s heroes at the risk of ignoring their humanity and flaws, as well as being about forgiving one’s self.

Dark Knight had similar themes to Winter Soldier in terms of freedom vs security, as well as the delicate balance between chaos and order, and how those opposing ideas can inform and give context to each other.

You seem a bit simple, son.

Read a book.



MGSSnake1988
MGSSnake1988 - 5/1/2025, 10:50 AM
While the film itself is an improvement over several recenr MCU films, the team-up aspect and the character progressions are its weakest links.

There's no team formed, the characters never changed, and the film admits that the MCU is destroying its own rock and slowly sinking into the sand.
tRuckRogers46A
tRuckRogers46A - 5/1/2025, 12:44 PM
@MGSSnake1988 - hmmm, what you talkin' about Willis?
All the characters have development and change.
Except maybe Bucky.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 5/1/2025, 10:52 AM
Didn't read. Seeing it on Sunday. GUESS WHAT?! It's Batmans birthday! Like Superman day, expect nothing on the topic lol
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/1/2025, 10:57 AM
The summary is pretty much all I wanted from this movie. And also, that's a great title imo
SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/1/2025, 11:07 AM
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MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 5/1/2025, 11:18 AM
I pretty much only read reviews here, not that it sways my opinion, but Ror is definitely one of the more sensible people. I look forward to seeing it tonight.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/1/2025, 11:20 AM
Sounds like a solid film imo so looking forward to seeing it this weekend!!.

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Good review Ror!!.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 5/1/2025, 11:29 AM
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Goldboink
Goldboink - 5/1/2025, 11:53 AM
@GeneralZod -

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ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 5/1/2025, 11:38 AM
I'm glad to hear it. I'm fine with a remotely enjoyable MCU film; not everyone needs to be on the Endgame level or Winter Soldier level of breaking the mold.
dragon316
dragon316 - 5/1/2025, 2:07 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - won’t know until you see it maybe you agree peopel who agree with every reviews, critics, rotten tomatoes scores before see movie judge may as well like avatar movies based on high scores and reviews
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 5/1/2025, 2:17 PM
@dragon316 - Well yeah, that's how it usually works...
marvel72
marvel72 - 5/1/2025, 1:07 PM
I doubt I'll like it more than Avengers:Infinity War, Captain America:The Winter Soldier,Captain America:Civil War,Spider-Man:No Way Home and Deadpool And Wolverine.

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