While for many years, superhero movies have been one of the most beloved genres of all time, in recent years the public’s opinions of these tales of heroism have taken a dip, along with the quality of a number of these films. When it was announced many believed Marvel Studios 2025 film Thunderbolts* would follow this trend of disappointment, but to the surprise of many, “Thunderbolts*” was one of the best Marvel Movies to release in years, leading many to believe the studio is back on track to making the fantastic films that brought them their fame.
Jake Schreier makes his directorial debut in the world of superhero movies with the most recent installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts*. The film mixes aspects of classic superhero team-up movies, intertwined with a plot about mental health issues and a group of misfits finding their place in this world, full of superheroes far more physically special and competent than they are. Still, they overcome all odds and become one of the best teams across all superhero movies.
The film is visually different from most other modern Marvel films. Most Marvel films released recently have had no visual style or color unique to the story being told, leading to forgettable visuals, but Thunderbolts* does the opposite. The films story touches on many darker themes such as depression, suicide, and alchoholism, and this is reflected within the visuals of the film, in scenes where these darker themes are being touched on most the film often uses a sightly shakier and handheld style of filming that causes the film to have a grounded feel even when the story features such fantastic elements. Each scene is filled with so much detail and framed so well that the story is conveyed, no matter what catches the viewer’s eye.
The film manages to meld a story featuring superheroes with a story about depression and loneliness, while giving it the twist of an espionage spy film about a government conspiracy. These spy films and conspiracy aspects help immerse the viewer within the story because, like all characters in the movie, the viewer does not have all the answers.
The highlight of the film is the characters and their relationships with each other. The cast is compiled of side characters from several other Marvel CInematic Universe projects, such as John Walker, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, Bucky Barnes, and Valentina Allegra De Fontaine, portrayed by Wyatt Russell, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Joining these established characters is Robert “Bob” Reynolds, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, who acts as both a supporting cast member, an antagonist, and the center of the mystery for the beginning portions of the film.
Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman deliver the standout performances. Yelena and Bob have outstanding chemistry in every scene they share, whether depressing or hopeful. The conclusion of the film would not work as well as it does if not for Pullman and Pugh’s chemistry.
Every member of the cast brings a different, fantastic role to the film. David Harbour does a fantastic job juggling some of the movie’s most humorous and emotional material. While it is clear the Red Guardian was mostly used for comic relief in the film, his and Yelena’s bond as father and daughter brings some of the movie’s most emotional scenes.
The film allows for Sebastian Stan to take Bucky Barnes in a new direction after well over a decade of portraying the character. Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump in the 2024 film The Apprentice most definitely helped him portray this politician version of Bucky.
While Wyatt Russell’s character, John Walker, is used as more of an antagonistic force within his debut series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the film makes him enjoyable and allows the viewer to connect with Walker on a more personal and emotional scale.
While many superhero films like to make their villains misunderstood heroes who are just trying to do the right thing in their own way, Julia Louis-Dreyfus portrays a fantastic villain because her character has almost no redeeming qualities. She is an evil, manipulative woman who is so funny and portrayed by such a fantastic actress that the viewer enjoys her just as much as the protagonists.
The film’s main flaw is that with the main cast being composed of a majority of characters established in earlier Marvel projects, a lot of the dialogue throughout the beginning of the film is exposition explaining these characters’ backstories and relationships with one another. Although the film may be more enjoyable to fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe opposed to the average audience, the film has things that all audiences will enjoy. Once this portion of the film has ended, the dialogue becomes one of the highlights of the film. The scenes where it’s just the cast bonding and bantering are the highlights of the film, which often bring heart and humor to portions of the film that could have been boring and empty, but now are full of character and life.
These scenes make the team feel like a family, making the film’s ending more natural and earned. The ending is still not perfect because it is set up for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. The film leaves the team as an important pillar of the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sets up several exciting storylines soon to come.
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* breaks the average Marvel formula by melding aspects of several genres. The beautiful visuals, along with the deep personal story that touches on themes of depression and addiction that most Marvel movies would not have the guts to feature, make Thunderbolts* so different and distinct from the average Marvel film. The way the characters’ relationships develop throughout the film and where they end up leaves both devout Marvel fans and common audiences excited to see more of this team in Avengers: Doomsday, as well as other future Marvel films in which they may appear.
The unique direction Thunderbolts* went in reignited excitement and faith in the superhero movie genre and paved the way for a new era of storytelling within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By taking risks with its narrative, Thunderbolts* provides a refreshing take on what it means to be a hero, blending action with deeply human experiences that resonate on a personal level. This film proves that superhero stories can go beyond traditional tropes and still captivate audiences, offering more than just spectacle but a meaningful exploration of character and growth. With its bold choices and compelling performances, Thunderbolts* stands as a testament to the MCU’s newfound ability to evolve and surprise, leaving fans eager for what’s to come.
