Thunderbolts*: Spoiler-free Review

And we are back.

Humans need community — its a simple fact of biology actually. We as humans are social creatures, and have evolved to be so. It's why our eyes face forward, instead of on the sides of our heads. Its why we have such expressive facial muscles. Its why we feel empty when we are alone. Thunderbolts* (2025) directed by Jake Schreier focuses on this human need, highlighting the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) past and tendency to create and toss characters who have great story potential. Using the found family formula, Schreier is able to highlight this need for community through a very specific, and surprising lens: mental health. 

This is what made early MCU films especially great. Focus on one theme at a time, and get creative with the mode of delivery. That is, and should be, the MCU's bread and butter. The screenplay, written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, does a great job of understanding its characters, and the message it ultimately wants to send. The dialogue was effortlessly hilarious, and I personally believe this film finally gives us what we craved in the earlier Avengers films — just heroes talking about the things that make them heroes. Their costumes, the jobs they've been on, their weaponry of choice, etc. It's what made Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) beloved among fans, not for its story, but for the character interactions. And that is why this story that Pearson and Calo attempted to portray in Thunderbolts* was successful. Because at our core, humans just sometimes need to connect with each other, and it is a timely reminder. 

We follow the story of a bunch of random past MCU characters as they navigate life having escaped their past, but still being haunted by it. First we have fan favorite, Yelena BElova(Played by Florence Pugh), Natasha Romanoff's younger sister and fellow Black Widow. She grapples with the intersection of loneliness and boredom, trying to figure out what she should do in the wake of her sister's death and no longer being under any kind of brainwashing. Free will means choices, and choices can be hard to make if you don't have a sounding board. Next, we are introduced to Alexei (Played by David Harbour), Russia's attempt at their own government-sponsored super soldier, otherwise known as the Red Guardian, and he was also Yelena's father-figure when she was a child. Alexei is a soldier with no ability to be a hero, and in that loss finds himself depressed and hiding away. The plot is also joined by other returnees: Bucky Barnes (Played by Sebastian Stan) as the Winter Soldier and recently elected US Congressman, John Walker (Played by Wyatt Russell) as U.S. Agent, and Ava Starr (Played by Olga Kurylenko) as Ghost. They are each enhanced individuals feeling like there's more they could do in their respective roles, and after circumstances bring them together and introduce them to newcomer Bob (Played by Lewis Pullman), they have to face the uncomfortable truth that they are truly stronger together. Out of all the amazing talent in Thunderbolts*, Pullman really stole the show as Bob and unconventional alter-ego villain, Sentry, who is a manifestation of the void Bob feels due to unresolved mental health concerns. Pullman does something very interesting with his portrayal, that I do believe is helped by a great screenplay, which is show in his body language and in the way he makes decisions, just how lost he is internally. He hesitates but tries: the marker of anyone who is struggling but wants better for themself too. He also reminded me a lot of young Heath Ledger, and dare I say this portrayal also shows a potential for Pullman to reach Ledger's range as well one day. 

However, this film falls victim to the same issue as many of its kind - too many characters, not enough time. While yes, these are characters we've seen before, they are still relatively minor characters with little fleshing out, and the ones we do know better are the ones that are highlighted in the film. I beg, just give us some characterization to explain why the choice of U.S. Agent or Ghost over, let's say, Echo or Kingo? We get the small moments of bonding, so might as well use those moments to explain why they specifically fit into the group. 

This film also felt incredibly grounded. It is clearly filmed on sets, but the lighting has been adjusted to not feel sterile. For a while there, MCU films felt bleach and toned, in a way that just washed everything out. This grungy, stark lighting not only makes it more visually appealing and grounded, but played further into the theme of "overcoming darkness". This is apparent through the intentional and common choice by cinematographer, Andrew Droz Palermo, to use backlighting in the film. Backlighting is when the scene is purposely lit from behind for various artistic effects. This casts highlights and shadows in inconsistent ways that in images, can be ugly or jarring, but in film, shows the fluidity of light and dark in everything, even our minds. This was expertly used by Palermo in Thunderbolts*, which should not be a surprise as this is a signature that the cinematographer has used in other works of his.

The soundtrack, produced by band Son Lux, did its job but I found there wasn't much to note. I was excited by an interpolation of the original Alan Silvestri's "The Avengers" towards the end of the film, probably a cheeky way to nod how the Thunderbolts as a team are considered the "knock off" Avengers within the MCU and the comics. 

Overall, Schreier buckles down on what made Phase 1 MCU great, focusing on diverse and interesting characters, and human needs as the themes. The rest will fall into place because, let's be real, hero movies will always be epic and entertaining. I am excited to see what the MCU will further have to offer, as it seems they've gotten their spark back. If you are a longtime Marvel fan, or even an ex-fan, Thunderbolts* needs to be your next watch, even if just for the great reminder that sometimes, you just need a hug.