More often than not these days, MCU content seems to fumble the bag. Despite the fact that we spent an entire morning on March 26, 2025, staring at chairs, the excitement isn’t remotely the same as it used to be. This fatigue and frustration are why, despite my deep love for Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, I was hesitant to watch Thunderbolts*.
Yet, every reservation aside, from beginning to end, Thunderbolts* is not only an undeniably entertaining spectacle, but it’s one of the most heartfelt and deeply emotional films in the entirety of the MCU. It tackles darkness that’s more dominant within the DCEU, and it delivers character moments that are so achingly human it’ll leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll. It also feels particularly relevant given today’s political climate and the rapid decline of empathy, as it explores the heavy and heartbreaking crosses countless individuals carry.
From this point on, the review will include spoilers to the plot, so please be advised if you haven’t watched Thunderbolts* yet.
In many ways, Thunderbolts is Yelena’s story. It’s a story about grief, and every red ledger she’s carried coming back to haunt her. Every character standing in this pseudo, newly built Avengers team is screwed up in some capacity, which makes the film that much more gripping. Yet, at the same time, what works so brilliantly is how raw and puncturing all the emotional beats are. As the story addresses Bob Reynolds/Sentry’s mental illness and deep dives into the idea of what a void looks like, it shines in the realism and pain that come forward like shards of glass to the face.
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Every single human being has felt the piercing agony of loneliness. While some deal with depression and grief that are significantly suffocating at times, almost every human being carries some type of deep sadness. And for those whose hearts are especially fragile, Thunderbolts* provides a worthy and profound reminder of why it’s worth pushing through the pain. No, our world isn’t ever going to be rainbows and butterflies, but the message of hope always comes from somewhere, and spreading the reminder that shoving down our pain isn’t the way to heal is a solid move from the MCU. Whether it’s with someone we trust or a professional therapist, talking through our pain is the only way to heal, and the film shows this statement with thoughtfully vulnerable interactions that make the story stand out. (It’s the same vulnerability that also makes Loki shine as a series.)
It’s a movie that diligently explores the idea of opposites coming together to right their wrongs against forces that are far worse than they can ever be. And the best part of the film’s approach is its careful marriage of heart and humor. Countless moments are so hilarious, even while in the same breath, a character could say something that’ll be so heartbreaking, you’ll be wiping tears away.
Thunderbolts* is also brimming with outstanding performances, starting from Florence Pugh, who’s about to single-handedly carry the MCU on her back. Fans of Pugh know that she’s a powerhouse of a performer, and therefore, much of what we see as Yelena isn’t surprising. Still, it’s an undeniable treasure to bear witness to. How she makes Yelena look and feel so small is a tremendous accomplishment, and how she consistently touches on a full range of emotions is something to be tirelessly praised.
In addition, anyone who’s read anything I’ve written about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier knows that I’m John Walker’s #1 hater, so coming out of Thunderbolts* and thinking, okay fine, maybe you’re okay is a testament to excellent writing and a solid performance from Wyatt Russell. Sebastian Stan unsurprisingly steals every scene he’s in and continues to prove that we need a standalone Bucky Barnes film. Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr (Ghost) also nails every scene she’s in, bringing some of the strongest beats of dialogue into the interactions.
Lastly, how Lewis Pullman touches on Bob’s constant pain had my heart in shackles every time he was on screen. A huge part of the problem within the MCU these days has been the excessive use of CGI and farcical storylines that are a bit too far off to feel grounded, even in this state of make-believe. Yet, everything about Thunderbolts* is raw, heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human. Pullman’s portrayal not only ensures that Bob is a compelling character to connect to, but it also allows the others to feel just as human and thoroughly fleshed out. The surprising chemistry between the characters works right from the beginning as they banter and fight through their opposite missions even as they begin working together, allowing the film’s narrative to feel thoroughly unique.
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In other words, the MCU might actually be back, baby. Thunderbolts* isn’t just good, but it’s one of the best superhero films of the last decade.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Disney | MCU