Thunderbolts: A Marvel-ous Misfit Mission

Marvel Studios’ latest big-screen adventure is here, and it’s not what you’d expect. In a world reeling from the end of the Avengers era, a new kind of “hero” team is being formed. But these aren’t your typical good guys; they’re the ones who’ve been on the wrong side of a few fights—and the law. Led by the enigmatic and manipulative CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, this motley crew is tasked with missions too dirty for anyone else. They’re a group of broken people, fighting inner demons and past trauma, who are about to be put through the wringer like never before.

The question is, can this dysfunctional family of antiheroes work together when their leader threatens to throw them all under the bus? As Valentina finds herself facing political blowback from her secret Sentry project, she’s willing to sacrifice her entire team to cover her tracks. Suddenly, the Thunderbolts find themselves the targets of a government conspiracy, and they must band together to survive. But what they uncover is a secret that could change everything, and it’s all wrapped up in a new, super-powered individual named Bob. Tune in for the action, stay for the emotional gut-punch, and see if this unlikely team can truly become heroes.

Review

Thunderbolts* is a bit of a departure for Marvel, but in the best way possible. It’s less about saving the universe and more about saving yourself. The film is a fantastic exploration of what it means to be a hero when you’re not exactly a “good person” and showcases the human element behind these super-powered individuals. It’s a movie that feels a lot like Guardians of the Galaxy if all the characters had some serious therapy needs. The humor is well-timed and genuinely funny, often providing a much-needed break from the heavier themes of mental health, depression, and trauma. While the stakes are high, they feel more personal and grounded than a lot of other MCU films, which is a big plus. The film doesn’t shy away from being a bit brutal at times, but it always feels earned. The “group hug” moment at the end might sound silly on paper, but given the journey these characters go on, it’s one of the most powerful and emotional moments in the movie. It’s a beautifully shot and wonderfully acted film that proves Marvel is willing to take some risks.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Starring:

• Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova: Pugh absolutely shines as Yelena. She’s the heart and soul of the film, expertly balancing her sarcastic, world-weary assassin persona with moments of profound vulnerability. Her character arc, grappling with her past as a child assassin and the trauma she carries, is the most compelling.
• Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier: Bucky is a great addition to this cast, and Stan brings a quiet gravitas to the role. He’s a character who has been through so much, and you can see that in his every action. His role as a U.S. Congressman in the film is a clever twist and makes him a great point of contact between the Thunderbolts and the outside world.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a master of her craft, and she makes Valentina a truly terrifying and manipulative force. She’s not a cackling villain, but a cold, calculating one who is more than willing to sacrifice anyone for her own gain. It’s a great villain performance that is a joy to watch.
• David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian: Harbour brings his A-game as the bumbling, proud Red Guardian. He’s the comic relief, but also a source of unexpected wisdom, especially in his interactions with Yelena. Their father-daughter relationship is a highlight of the film.
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost: It’s great to see Ava return, and John-Kamen once again brings a sympathetic and layered performance to a character with a tragic past. Her abilities are used in some of the most creative action sequences.
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent: Russell is perfectly cast as John Walker, a character who is just as angry and unhinged as he was in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He’s a ticking time bomb, but there’s a fragile humanity underneath that makes him a fascinating character to watch.
• Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster: Taskmaster is back, and while she’s still mostly a silent killing machine, her relationship with the team, particularly Yelena, is surprisingly touching. Kurylenko’s physical performance is top-notch.
• Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry: Pullman is a revelation in this role. He manages to make Bob incredibly charming and relatable, and his performance as the troubled, amnesiac hero is heartbreaking. When he transforms into the god-like Sentry, it’s genuinely frightening.

Special Effects

The special effects in Thunderbolts* are a mixed bag, but mostly in a good way. The Sentry and The Void effects are absolutely stunning. When The Void begins to engulf New York City in a swirling, black storm, it’s a beautiful and terrifying sight. It feels both supernatural and deeply personal, representing the mental anguish Bob is going through. However, there were a few moments where some of the hand-to-hand combat felt a little too choreographed, but the overall effect is still impressive. The action sequences are tight and well-executed, with a sense of clarity that is often missing from big-budget blockbusters. The editing and cinematography are sharp, and the visuals feel unique to this film within the MCU.

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

Act I: The Setup

The film opens with a sneak peek at the Thunderbolts’ current gig: covert government missions led by CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. We see Yelena Belova on a mission to destroy an old lab in Malaysia connected to Valentina’s shady past. Meanwhile, Congressman Bucky Barnes is secretly working with Valentina’s assistant, Mel, to investigate her for impeachment. Facing pressure, Valentina sends Yelena, John Walker, Ava Starr, and Antonia Dreykov on what they believe is a cleanup mission to an abandoned facility. In reality, it’s a trap, and she intends to kill them all to cover her tracks.

Act II: The Betrayal and the Discovery

The team realizes they’ve been betrayed and is forced to fight their way out. During the chaos, they discover an amnesiac man named Bob, who was the last survivor of a super-soldier experiment, Sentry. When Bob is shot, he miraculously survives and his powers manifest. The team is forced to escape, taking Bob with them. As they touch him, they get horrifying visions of their pasts, amplified by The Void—a dark entity of Bob’s repressed memories and insecurities. Bucky, learning of Valentina’s true intentions, captures the team to help them, and they race to New York City to stop her from weaponizing Bob.

Act III: The Confrontation and The Void

The Thunderbolts storm the former Avengers Tower, where Valentina has turned it into her final lab. They confront her, but she unleashes the newly-suited Sentry. Sentry easily overpowers the team, but when he questions Valentina’s orders to kill them, he turns on her. Mel uses a kill switch, triggering the full emergence of The Void, which engulfs the city in a black storm of traumatic memories. Yelena realizes the only way to save Bob and the city is to enter The Void and help him from within. The team follows her, each confronting their own personal demons as they navigate Bob’s tortured mind. They find Bob as a frightened child, and after a struggle, they surround him and offer him comfort, affirming their belief in him. This solidarity gives Bob the strength to overcome The Void.

Resolution

With The Void defeated and the city saved, the Thunderbolts prepare to expose Valentina. But she outsmarts them, holding a press conference where she introduces them to the world as the “New Avengers,” taking credit for their actions. The team plays along, but a final, quiet moment between Yelena and Valentina reveals a new power dynamic: the Thunderbolts now “own” Valentina, and she is their puppet.

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