‘Thunderbolts*’ Movie Review: Marvel’s Antiheroes Get It Right (Mostly)
As someone deeply burned out by superhero movies, I admit I went into Thunderbolts* cautiously. We’ve seen so many of these ensemble stories lately—it’s hard to feel excited anymore. Yet, I walked away pleasantly surprised. Sure, Thunderbolts* doesn’t escape every trope or pitfall of its crowded genre. But what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in humor, heart, and refreshingly gritty character depth.
Marvel Studios brings together an unconventional crew of misfit antiheroes for this one, including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. Caught in a deadly trap set by the manipulative Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned outcasts must undertake a perilous mission that pushes each of them to face their darkest memories and deepest regrets. Can this dysfunctional team overcome their troubled pasts and personal demons to come together, or will they tear themselves apart before redemption is found?
Check out the trailer below..
Thunderbolts* Movie Trailer
Thunderbolts* Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like
The best part of Thunderbolts* is definitely the humor, blended beautifully with heavier emotional themes. Florence Pugh as Yelena and David Harbour as Red Guardian bring laughs and warmth to the chaos. While the film tackles dark subjects like trauma and addiction, these smaller, funny moments kept it feeling authentic and balanced.
Still, Thunderbolts* has some rough edges. The movie’s tone shifts uneasily between emotional intensity and comic banter. And, at times, it feels inconsistent, breaking the emotional momentum. Also, some fan favorites—especially Taskmaster—feel underused. If you’re hoping for deep dives into every character, you’ll probably leave a bit disappointed.
The Story
The story follows a ragtag bunch of misfits, including familiar faces like Yelena (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and intriguing new additions like Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman). They’re blackmailed into a dangerous task by the shadowy Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and it’s clear this crew isn’t polished like the Avengers. Each one carries emotional baggage, adding real depth and heart to their mission.
The script, crafted by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, leans heavily into what it’s like to be an outsider in a world of superheroes. Though it doesn’t steer away from familiar territory—we’ve definitely seen teams save the world from huge threats before—its strength lies in the quiet moments. The dialogue feels sharp and authentic when characters share vulnerable insights or trade sarcastic banter.
The plot and character development made me genuinely care about this damaged group, especially in their quieter interactions and personal battles. Although the script occasionally stumbles when balancing humor with heavier themes, and some scenes feel rushed, it still consistently captures the humanity of these flawed antiheroes, making them relatable despite their extraordinary circumstances.
The Acting
Florence Pugh and David Harbour continue their standout chemistry from Black Widow, brilliantly capturing a charming and believable father-daughter bond. I could watch these two as these characters all day.
Pugh effortlessly blends dry wit with untouched emotional pain, delivering a performance that’s equal parts funny and moving. Whenever she’s on screen, it feels grounded and sincere – and I couldn’t love her accent more. And Harbour once again steals scenes as Red Guardian, his booming personality and goofy sincerity adding humor and warmth. Together, their dynamic ranges from playful teasing to deeper conversations filled with real vulnerability, bringing authenticity to their scenes.
Lewis Pullman is a standout surprise as Bob, masterfully portraying Sentry’s fragility and inner turmoil. He manages to hold our attention with a quietly powerful performance that delves convincingly into themes of loneliness and mental health.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, clearly having fun in her role as the shadowy, manipulative Valentina, brings just enough sinister charm to keep things interesting – though making some moments hit a little too close to home with our real-world political landscape.
Overall, each actor delivers a strong performance. However, the chemistry hits best in smaller pairings or intimate conversations, such as heartfelt exchanges between Yelena and Bob, or comedic banter between Red Guardian and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan).
As a full ensemble, the cast occasionally struggles to mesh fully—with some exchanges between characters feeling slightly forced or rushed, as if needing just a bit more breathing room on-screen. But, despite these uneven ensemble moments, the standout small-group interactions provide enough genuine emotion and wit to keep the film enjoyable and compelling for the full 2-hour and 6-minute runtime.
Overall Thoughts
Even with minor issues and genre clichés, Thunderbolts* won me over with humor and genuine emotional impact. It’s refreshingly smaller-scale and intimate compared to Marvel’s sprawling cosmic sagas. These flawed antiheroes feel relatable,each wrestling openly with their past and self-worth. While imperfect, the film lands where it counts most—real heart and satisfying character connections paired with sharp, witty humor that hits at just the right moments.
Bottom line: If superhero fatigue has hit you as hard as it’s hit me, Thunderbolts* might just restore some of your enthusiasm. It’s not groundbreaking—but it’s certainly a breath of fresh air.
Thunderbolts* Movie Review:
Grade: B