Thunderbolts (2025) [Film Review]

I walked into Thunderbolts* with rock-bottom expectations. After years of Marvel fatigue and a string of underwhelming MCU entries, I figured this would be another assembly-line superhero flick designed to keep the Disney machine churning. Boy, was I wrong. Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* surprised me in ways I didn’t think were possible anymore from Marvel Studios, delivering a character-driven ensemble piece that feels more like a grounded crime thriller than a typical superhero spectacle.

Thunderbolts* represents everything I’ve been hoping the MCU would become: smaller in scale, more personal in stakes, and genuinely interested in its characters as people rather than just vessels for quips and action sequences. Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova anchors the film with the kind of performance that reminds you why she became a breakout star in the first place, while the ensemble cast creates genuine chemistry that makes you care about these damaged, complicated characters.

The Breakfast Club of Broken Heroes

Thunderbolts* follows an unconventional group of misfits who find themselves caught in a deadly trap orchestrated by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The team includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and newcomer Bob (Lewis Pullman), who harbors a secret that could reshape the MCU.

What makes Thunderbolts* work is how it treats these characters as actual people dealing with real trauma rather than just costumed personalities. Each member of the team is grappling with their past mistakes and trying to figure out who they want to be in a world that’s moved on without them. The film understands that these aren’t traditional heroes; they’re people who’ve been used by systems larger than themselves and are now trying to find their own path forward.

The genius of Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo’s screenplay is how it structures the film around character moments rather than action beats. Yes, there are spectacular set pieces – including a jaw-dropping sequence in Malaysia that features Florence Pugh performing stunts atop one of the world’s tallest buildings – but the film’s heart lies in quieter moments where these characters reveal their vulnerabilities to each other.

Florence Pugh: The Heart of the Storm

Florence Pugh’s performance as Yelena Belova elevates Thunderbolts* from good to great. Building on her work in Black Widow and Hawkeye, Pugh brings layers of grief, rage, and unexpected humor to a character who could have been just another assassin with a heart of gold. Her Yelena is funny without being quippy, dangerous without being cartoonish, and vulnerable without being weak.

What impressed me most about Pugh’s work here is how she grounds the more fantastical elements of the story. When Thunderbolts* gets into its heavier sci-fi territory – particularly with Lewis Pullman’s Bob and his connection to the Sentry/Void mythology – Pugh’s reactions keep everything anchored in emotional reality. She’s the audience surrogate who helps us navigate the film’s tonal shifts.

The supporting cast matches Pugh’s energy perfectly. Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes finally gets to be something other than a walking guilt complex, showing glimpses of the man he might have been if his life hadn’t been stolen from him. David Harbour brings his signature mix of bluster and heart to Red Guardian, creating a character who’s both ridiculous and genuinely touching.

Wyatt Russell continues to prove that John Walker is one of the MCU’s most interesting characters. His U.S. Agent is still struggling with the weight of carrying Captain America’s legacy, but Russell finds new notes in the character’s journey toward something resembling redemption. The way Thunderbolts* handles Walker’s arc shows that the MCU can still surprise us with character development.

The Sentry Secret: A Game-Changer

Without spoiling too much, Lewis Pullman’s Bob represents the film’s biggest swing, and it pays off spectacularly. The introduction of the Sentry/Void mythology to the MCU could have been a disaster in less capable hands, but Pullman brings a genuine vulnerability to what could have been just another overpowered Superman analogue.

The film’s handling of mental health through Bob’s character feels surprisingly mature for a Marvel production. Rather than treating his condition as a simple plot device, Thunderbolts* explores how trauma manifests in different ways and how healing requires both personal work and community support. It’s heavy material, but the film never feels preachy or overly serious.

The action sequences involving Sentry are genuinely spectacular, featuring some of the best visual effects work I’ve seen in a Marvel film. But more importantly, these sequences feel earned because we understand the emotional stakes behind them. When Bob finally embraces his power, it’s not just a cool superhero moment; it’s a character achieving a breakthrough.

Jake Schreier’s Intimate Direction

Director Jake Schreier, coming off his acclaimed work on the Netflix series Beef, brings an intimate sensibility to Thunderbolts* that sets it apart from other Marvel films. His approach emphasizes character relationships over spectacle, and he’s not afraid to let scenes breathe and develop naturally.

Schreier’s background in smaller, character-driven projects serves him well here. He understands that the best superhero stories are really about people, and he gives his actors space to create genuine moments of connection. The film’s quieter scenes – characters talking in diners, sharing personal stories, or just processing their trauma – feel as important as the big action sequences.

The film’s visual style is more grounded than most Marvel productions, with cinematography that emphasizes practical locations and natural lighting. This approach helps sell the idea that these characters exist in the real world rather than just a green-screen soundstage. The Malaysia sequences, in particular, feel tactile and dangerous in a way that makes the stakes feel real.

A Marvel Movie That Feels Personal

What surprised me most about Thunderbolts* is how personal it feels despite being part of a massive corporate franchise. The film’s themes about found family, second chances, and learning to trust again resonate on a human level that transcends the superhero genre. These characters aren’t trying to save the world; they’re trying to save themselves and each other.

The film also does something interesting with the Marvel formula by questioning whether these characters actually want to be heroes. Several team members express genuine reluctance about getting involved in world-saving activities, and the film respects that perspective. Not everyone is cut out to be an Avenger, and that’s okay.

Thunderbolts* also benefits from having lower stakes than recent Marvel films. Instead of universe-ending threats, the film focuses on a more contained conspiracy that still feels significant to the characters involved. This approach allows the film to develop its themes without getting bogged down in multiverse nonsense or cosmic implications.

The Streaming Landscape: Where to Find Thunderbolts*

For those who missed Thunderbolts* during its theatrical run, the film is now available through multiple streaming and digital platforms. You can rent or buy Thunderbolts* on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home for $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to buy as of July 1, 2025.

The film is expected to hit Disney+ sometime in August based on Marvel’s typical streaming windows, which usually run about three months after theatrical release. Given that Thunderbolts* was released in theaters on May 2, 2025, Disney+ subscribers should be able to stream the film by early August.

For those planning to watch Thunderbolts* at home, I’d recommend the largest screen possible. While the film works on a character level that doesn’t require theatrical viewing, Schreier’s direction and the film’s action sequences benefit from being seen at full size. The Malaysia sequences in particular are genuinely spectacular and deserve to be experienced properly.

Why Thunderbolts* Matters for the MCU

Thunderbolts* represents a potential new direction for the MCU that focuses on character development over spectacle. The film proves that Marvel can still tell compelling stories when they’re willing to trust their characters and give them room to grow.

The film’s success also validates the idea that audiences are hungry for superhero stories that feel grounded and emotionally authentic. Rather than trying to top previous films with bigger action sequences or more cosmic threats, Thunderbolts* succeeds by going smaller and more personal.

Most importantly, Thunderbolts* demonstrates that the MCU still has room for experimentation and surprise. Just when I thought I knew what to expect from these films, along comes something that genuinely catches me off guard and reminds me why I fell in love with these characters in the first place.

The Asterisk Explained: A Clever Marketing Move

The film’s title, with its mysterious asterisk, becomes a clever plot point that I won’t spoil here. What I will say is that the marketing team’s decision to keep the asterisk’s meaning secret was brilliant, and the reveal adds an extra layer of meaning to everything that comes before it.

The asterisk also represents the film’s meta-commentary on legacy and expectation. These characters are living in the shadow of the Avengers, and the film explores what it means to try to live up to that legacy while also forging your own path. It’s a theme that resonates both within the story and in terms of the MCU’s own evolution.

A Personal Perspective: Why This Film Worked for Me

As someone who’s been covering films for AndersonVision for years, I’ve seen my fair share of superhero movies that feel like corporate products rather than genuine artistic expressions. Thunderbolts* surprised me because it feels like a film made by people who genuinely care about these characters and their stories.

The film also reminded me why I originally got excited about the MCU in the first place. It’s not about the spectacle or the universe-building; it’s about watching interesting characters grow and change over time. Thunderbolts* gives us characters who feel like real people dealing with real problems, even if those problems happen to involve superpowers and secret government conspiracies.

What impressed me most was how the film handles its themes without being heavy-handed. The ideas about trauma, healing, and found family emerge naturally from the story rather than being imposed on it. The film trusts its audience to understand these themes without spelling them out explicitly.

The Verdict: A Pleasant Surprise

Thunderbolts* represents everything I’ve been hoping the MCU would become: smaller in scale, more personal in focus, and genuinely interested in its characters as people. Jake Schreier’s direction, combined with strong performances from the entire cast, creates a film that works both as a superhero adventure and as a character study.

While the film isn’t perfect – some of the conspiracy elements feel underdeveloped, and the pacing occasionally lags in the middle section – it succeeds where it matters most: making us care about these characters and their journey. By the time the credits roll, you’re genuinely invested in seeing where these characters go next.

For MCU fans who have been feeling burned out by the franchise’s recent output, Thunderbolts* offers hope that Marvel can still surprise us. For newcomers to the franchise, it provides an accessible entry point that doesn’t require extensive knowledge of previous films. Most importantly, it’s a genuinely entertaining film that works on its own terms.

Thunderbolts is in some theaters still, but you’re probably going to catch it Digitally

Thunderbolts* is currently available for digital rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. The film is expected to begin streaming on Disney+ in August 2025. For more superhero and action film coverage, check out our other Marvel movie reviews and theatrical releases.