Introduction
Marvel Studios has taken a bold step with its latest offering, “Thunderbolts*” (yes, with that asterisk), assembling a ragtag band of antiheroes who have previously existed on the periphery of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Released on May 2, 2025, the film marks a significant return to form for the MCU, embracing the tried-and-true blueprint that made earlier Marvel adventures so compelling while adding surprising emotional depth.
Directed by Jake Schreier and written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, Thunderbolts* brings together some of Marvel’s most complex characters for a mission that forces them to confront their darkest demons – both figuratively and literally. The film has been a hit with both critics and audiences, currently holding strong ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and being hailed as Marvel’s most enjoyable film in quite some time.
Plot: More Than Just Another Team-Up
In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker (U.S. Agent). After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by the manipulative Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
What starts as a typical mission quickly evolves into something much more profound as the team discovers that their greatest enemies might be their own inner demons. The film cleverly uses the concept of “the Void” – a metaphysical space representing trauma and mental health struggles – as both literal and metaphorical antagonists for our antiheroes to overcome.
As NPR’s Justin Chang notes, “Even amid such familiar mayhem, Schreier finds fresh, vivid angles. The action is clear and coherent; the character dynamics strike the right balance of earnest sincerity and glib humor.” NPR
Cast: A Magnetic Ensemble of Damaged Heroes
:strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/thunderbolts-092324-4-4036eeb10d48456a92579843550338a2.jpg)
The film is anchored by an exceptional cast that brings both star power and emotional depth:
- Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova, building on her already beloved portrayal from “Black Widow” and “Hawkeye.” As Empire magazine reports, the Yelena we meet in Thunderbolts* is “completely different” – one who carries the weight of everything she’s been through. Pugh’s performance has been widely praised as the magnetic standout of the film.
- Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, bringing gravitas and a weariness that reflects his character’s long, traumatic history.
- David Harbour returns as Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov, providing both comic relief and surprising emotional depth. His chemistry with Pugh continues to be a highlight, as noted in IGN’s review: “Florence Pugh and David Harbour were a blast as Yelena and Alexei in Black Widow, and their dynamic is just as endearing this time around.” IGN
- Wyatt Russell brings a more nuanced take on John Walker/U.S. Agent, toning down the character’s smugness from “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
- Hannah John-Kamen and Olga Kurylenko return as Ghost and Taskmaster respectively, with both characters getting more development than in their previous appearances.
- Lewis Pullman joins the cast in a mysterious role that becomes central to the film’s plot.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus continues as the manipulative Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, whose schemes drive much of the plot.
Direction: Fresh Perspective on Familiar Territory
Director Jake Schreier, known for films like “Robot & Frank” and “Paper Towns,” brings a fresh perspective to the MCU. His approach focuses on character development and emotional stakes rather than just spectacle, though the film doesn’t skimp on well-crafted action sequences.
In interviews, Schreier has discussed how Thunderbolts* represents “the MCU’s rawest exploration of mental health to date.” His direction allows for vulnerable moments between bombastic action sequences, creating a rhythm that keeps audiences engaged on multiple levels.
“It was a really different approach,” Schreier told Landmark Cinemas. “We wanted to tell a Marvel story that digs into the complex emotions of its core cast of characters, while still delivering the excitement fans expect.” Landmark Cinemas
Themes: Mental Health and Redemption
What sets Thunderbolts* apart from many other MCU entries is its willingness to engage with themes of mental health, trauma, and the possibility of redemption. The film doesn’t shy away from showing how its characters have been damaged by their pasts, but it also offers hope that healing is possible – especially through connection with others who understand your pain.
As Kat Sachs of the Chicago Reader puts it: “Its silly but still heartening, this idea that by saving each other, we might also be able to save ourselves.” Chicago Reader
The Daily Record’s Ian Bunting adds: “Darkness prevails overall, however, as Thunderbolts* cleverly uses human emotions and psychological issues to grand effect while setting up a terrific, turbulent team to create MCU magic.” Daily Record
Visual Effects and Action
The film balances intimate character moments with spectacular action sequences. The visualization of “the Void” – a metaphysical space representing inner demons – has been particularly praised for its creative design that eschews typical CGI monster aesthetics in favor of something more psychologically unsettling.
The action scenes are choreographed with clarity and purpose, each serving the character development rather than existing merely for spectacle. As Justin Chang of NPR notes, “The action is clear and coherent,” a welcome change from some recent blockbusters’ tendency toward visual chaos.
Critical Reception: A Return to Form
Thunderbolts* has been warmly received by critics, who have praised its character focus and emotional depth. The film currently holds a high approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Critics Consensus stating: “Assembling a ragtag band of underdogs with Florence Pugh as their magnetic standout, Thunderbolts* refreshingly returns to the tried-and-true blueprint of the MCU’s best adventures.”
Sam Adams of Slate observed: “The movie features not only some of the best actors in the MCU, but some of the funniest.” Slate
Audiences have responded similarly positively, with the Audience Consensus declaring: “With a team that can raise glory, Thunderbolts* is massively entertaining and delivers everything we love out of a Marvel outing.”
The Asterisk: What’s in a Name?
One of the more intriguing marketing choices for the film was the addition of the asterisk to the title – Thunderbolts*. This becomes a plot point in the film itself, with a revelation that connects to the team’s true purpose and identity. Without venturing into spoiler territory, the asterisk serves as both a clever marketing tool and a narrative device that pays off by the film’s conclusion.
Conclusion: A New Hope for the MCU
At a time when some have questioned the MCU’s direction, Thunderbolts* arrives as a refreshing reminder of what made Marvel movies so appealing in the first place – compelling characters with real struggles, humor that feels organic rather than forced, action that serves the story, and heart at its core.
As Douglas Davidson of Elements of Madness puts it, Thunderbolts* is “a team-up film that’s essentially the anti-AVENGERS yet still manages to save the day by delivering on what seems to be lacking most, heart and a willingness to confront the darkness within us.” Elements of Madness
With a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes, Thunderbolts* manages to deliver a complete story while setting up intriguing possibilities for these characters’ futures. Whether you’re a dedicated Marvel fan or someone who’s been feeling superhero fatigue, this film offers something refreshing – a reminder that even in a universe of gods and monsters, the most compelling battles are often the ones we fight within ourselves.
The film is now playing in theaters worldwide, rated PG-13 for strong violence, thematic elements, language, some drug references, and some suggestive references.
Have you seen Thunderbolts yet? What did you think of Marvel’s team of antiheroes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!*
Behind the Scenes: Creating Marvel’s Most Unconventional Team
The production of Thunderbolts* presented unique challenges, as the filmmakers needed to balance the established histories of characters from different corners of the MCU while creating a cohesive team dynamic.
Florence Pugh, who has quickly become one of the most beloved actors in the MCU, described the process of returning to Yelena after “Hawkeye” as both challenging and rewarding. “Yelena has gone through so much since we first met her,” Pugh explained in a Marvel.com interview. “She’s had to process grief, betrayal, and find her own path. In Thunderbolts*, we see her trying to figure out if she can actually be part of something again after being manipulated for so long.” Marvel.com
Sebastian Stan, now a veteran of the MCU after over a decade playing Bucky Barnes, found new dimensions to explore in his character. “Bucky has always been connected to Steve Rogers in some way,” Stan said. “This is really the first time we see him trying to forge his own path completely separate from that legacy, which is terrifying for him.”
The film’s impressive stunt work has also received praise, with several sequences reportedly filmed with minimal CGI enhancement to maintain a grounded feel despite the superpowered cast.
With strong box office performance ($127.7 million in the US as of this writing) and positive reception, Thunderbolts* seems poised to launch a new chapter for these formerly supporting characters, potentially setting up future adventures for this unlikely team of damaged heroes seeking redemption.
This blog post is based on publicly available information about the Marvel Studios film “Thunderbolts” released on May 2, 2025. All images are the property of Marvel Studios/Disney.*