REVIEW: ‘Thunderbolts*’ Is Gritty, Raw And Full Of Heart

© Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* is a much-needed breath of fresh air among the latest wave of superhero movies. It’s packed with heart and soul, grounded in the broken, beautiful humanity of its characters.

At the center of the story is Yelena Belova. We follow her from the very first moments of the film. She is lost, weighed down by loneliness, anger, and a growing feeling of her life being meaningless. Her days as an assassin and mercenary, carrying out the dirty work of others, have left her hollow inside. She questions everything about herself, her purpose, and whether she deserves a future at all. Watching her internal struggles unfold is gut-wrenching. Florence Pugh gives what might be one of the best performances in the MCU. She reminds everyone how Yelena became one of the MCU’s most beloved characters. Thunderbolts* is also further proof that Florence Pugh has incredible chemistry with everyone she shares the screen with, whether it was Natasha in Black Widow, Kate Bishop in Hawkeye, or now Bob in Thunderbolts. She brings out the best in every dynamic, making each relationship feel uniquely real and layered.

Yelena’s path soon crosses with Ghost (Ava Starr), John Walker, and Bob. Like her, they are all carrying invisible wounds. They are all searching for something they cannot quite name, whether it is redemption, acceptance, or a reason to believe they can still be more than the sum of their mistakes. Their worlds have all collapsed around them in one way or another, and the weight of their past choices clings to them like a second skin. They are not a polished superhero team, they are a collection of broken people who are trying to be better, even when they are not sure how.

Then there is Alexei, the Red Guardian, who adds a surprising and touching dimension to the story. Behind his loud bravado and clumsy attempts at leadership, there is real love. He believes in Yelena, maybe even more than she believes in herself. He pushes her and the others not to settle for being seen as disposable, not to fall back into the roles that the world expects of them. He believes they can be something greater if they just give themselves a chance to try.

© Marvel Studios

The chemistry between this team is electric. It is not just witty banter, although there is plenty of that. It is the way they push and pull at each other, the way they clash, and the way they come to care for one another without even realizing it. It feels messy, imperfect, and deeply real. It feels like family. And at the heart of this strange, broken family is Yelena. Her bond with Bob becomes the emotional centerpiece of the film. Bob, like Yelena, is isolated and used by those in power. To Valentina and others, he is just a weapon to be pointed at a target. But to Yelena, he is a person worth fighting for. Her care for him, especially during his darkest moments, is portrayed with so much sincerity that it becomes impossible not to root for them both. Their connection is one of the most quietly powerful relationships the MCU has ever put on screen. And Lewis Pullman gives a beautifully understated performance as Bob, showing all of his vulnerability, confusion, and desperate need to be seen.

© Marvel Studios

Jake Schreier’s direction elevates the film even further. His eye for small, emotional moments, combined with bold, creative visual choices, gives Thunderbolts* a distinct style and soul. It does not feel like just another chapter in a massive machine. It feels handcrafted, intentional, and personal. Every shot, every choice of lighting and framing, serves the story of these characters who are trying to find their way in a world that keeps trying to tear them down.

The choreography in Thunderbolts* also deserves special attention. The action scenes are so fluid, inventive, and grounded that it is impossible not to notice how good they are. Every punch, every grapple, every sudden explosion of violence feels visceral and believable. The fights tell a story too, reflecting the characters' emotions and histories in a way that makes the action sequences feel deeply personal rather than just visually flashy.

Thunderbolts* is not just another team-up movie. It is a story about broken people learning to stand back up. It is about second chances, forgiveness, and the long, painful road to redemption. It shows that heroism is not about flashy powers or perfect morality. Sometimes, it is about choosing to be better when you have every excuse not to. And while it is dark, emotional, and full of raw moments, it is also genuinely funny. The humor feels earned, coming from character dynamics rather than forced quips, and it brings warmth to the film’s heavier moments. It is messy, it is moving, and it leaves a lasting mark. In a cinematic universe that has sometimes lost sight of the human stories underneath the spectacle, Thunderbolts* is a much-needed reminder of what made audiences fall in love with Marvel stories in the first place.

Rating: ★★★★★

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About Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts*. © Marvel Studios

Premiere Date: May 2, 2025

Writer: Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo

Director: Jake Schreier

Producer: Kevin Feige

Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez

Production: Marvel Studios

Distribution: Walt Disney Studios

Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, with David Harbour, with Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Synopsis: In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?