Release Date: 2 May (US/UK), Now Showing in Australia
By: Aco
Thunderbolts* can be messy. Not just the film itself—with its clumsy narrative beats and tonal whiplash—but also its characters: emotionally raw, reluctant heroes led by Florence Pugh’s magnetic Yelena Belova.
In a cinematic universe where most heroes hide behind quips and CGI, the Thunderbolts wear their trauma like a uniform. They’re broken, vulnerable, and more relatable than Marvel’s usual line-up of world-saving wisecrackers. This emotional edge is what helps Thunderbolts* rise above recent franchise misfires like The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World.
Who Are the Thunderbolts?
You’d be forgiven for not knowing. The Thunderbolts began in Marvel Comics as villains disguised as heroes during the Avengers’ absence. In this film, they’re a ragtag Suicide Squad-esque team composed of morally grey figures from past Marvel side stories:
- David Harbour as Red Guardian
- Wyatt Russell’s John Walker
- Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)
- Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)
This collection of haunted souls seeks redemption—and so does Marvel, trying to win back fan goodwill with fresh takes on its worn-out formula.
Pugh Holds It Together
The film opens with a stunning rooftop sequence: Yelena poised on Merdeka 18, whispering, “There is something wrong with me,” before diving into a beautifully choreographed fight. The action is intimate, stylized, and emotionally resonant—a rare combo for the MCU.
Pugh delivers a remarkable performance, balancing gallows humor and silent grief with a subtlety that elevates the entire production. Her ability to give weight to even the clunkiest dialogue makes her the film’s saving grace.
The Villain and the Climax
The Thunderbolts eventually face off against “Bob,” a genetically enhanced weapon with an unstable dark side named “The Void.” Their final battle takes place in surreal dream-like landscapes—dubbed “interconnected shame rooms”—where emotional wounds are confronted as much as physical threats.
It’s an ambitious finale that channels Everything Everywhere All At Once more than Avengers: Endgame, but struggles to fully earn its emotional catharsis.
Final Verdict
Thunderbolts* is a messy, chaotic, and oddly refreshing Marvel entry. It may falter under the weight of its own ambition, but thanks to Florence Pugh’s powerhouse performance and a willingness to push the franchise in new emotional directions, it ultimately sticks the landing.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)