Despite constant complaints that the world is tired of superhero films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps on keeping on. Thunderbolts*, the latest film of Phase Five of the MCU, highlights why this shared film universe has endured. It keeps reinventing its own wheel.
Thunderbolts* is unlike previous MCU films that focus on a solo superhero, but it’s not quite an ensemble film, like the Avengers films of the past. Instead, Marvel opts for a mix with this latest entry. There is a clear protagonist in Thunderbolts*, and it’s Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), former Widow, sister of Natasha Romanoff, all-around badass, and lover of jackets with many pockets. Yelena is the clear focal point of the film, as well as its beating heart.
It’s through Yelena that the audience is introduced to the rest of the cast of characters, all returning faces to the MCU—Ava Starr, aka Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), John Walker, aka US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Antonia Dreykov, aka Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). All these characters are connected to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a powerful woman with a lot of shady dealings. Unbeknownst to them, someone is out to stop Valentina—Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). But it’s going to take all of them, including Yelena’s father (okay, adoptive father, but they’re closer than blood), Alexei Shostakov, aka the Red Guardian (David Harbour), if Valentina’s plans are to be stopped.
There’s just one little wrinkle, and his name is Bob Reynolds (Lewis Pullman). Who is Bob? Where did he even come from? What is his deal? Alongside Yelena and the other anti-heroes, Bob finds purpose and starts the journey to discover himself. But unlike Valentina, who’s unafraid to be the MCU’s new baddie, Bob may not like what he finds. And his new friends might just have to pay the price.
Thunderbolts* is an enjoyable romp. It’s got all the humor and the characters banter with each other relentlessly. Which is great because the comedic timing of the cast is out of this world. Not one overextended joke—looking at you, Deadpool—no punching down. It’s just a bunch of people leaning into their most powerful sarcastic tendencies. You will fall out of your chair laughing.
Bear in mind that the Thunderbolts* goes to some pretty dark places. Because this isn’t just a rag-tag group of anti-heroes; these are some of the most troubled and hard-done-by characters in the MCU. There’s not a happy backstory to be found here, people. So, yes, you’re going to get some sad scenes and dialogue that will make you tear up.
However, you don’t have to feel sad for very long, because a punch or a round-house kick to the face is never far away in Thunderbolts*. Granted, the action is a bit stilted sometimes—Captain America: Winter Soldier and Black Widow, it is not—but there are plenty of frenetic fight scenes, artful dodges, and last-minute saves to have you at the edge of your seat. One particular hallway fight scene with Yelena had me forgetting to breathe, it was so beautiful.
Having said that, Thunderbolts* does buck the regular Marvel formula of ending with a huge battle scene. Instead, it opts for something more cerebral and emotional. It’s a welcome change and shows that Marvel is listening to some of the critics. People have voiced their impatience with the tired formula, and they’ve made a change. I’m happy to say it works. The final act is some of the strongest writing in the film.
Without a doubt, Thunderbolts* is a fun film to watch. So, why am I not over the moon about it? As a Yelena Belova fan, this film is pure perfection. But as someone who has been waiting years to see Ghost and Taskmaster onscreen again, I am devastated. This film doesn’t do justice to either character, but especially the latter, who is treated like such an afterthought. I don’t know why they even bothered having her here. Marvel hasn’t had a great track record with women superheroes in their properties. Were they worried that if they had another trio of women in the lead, the male MCU fans would leave the theatre? Because that’s what it feels like. I take some solace in the fact that Yelena got the spotlight, but what I wouldn’t do to see more than one woman lead an MCU film.
The men fare better, and outnumber the ladies, again. Bob gets the most screentime, and is an interesting enough character to hold one’s attention. Red Guardian powers much of the humor in this film, but also has some touching character moments with Yelena. John Walker, who was an absolute terror in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, hasn’t really improved his personality, but he has a few surprisingly funny and heroic moments in this film.
But if you’re a Bucky Barnes fan—and, honestly, who isn’t?—you might be disappointed. Unlike the trailers, that position Bucky as the leader of the Thunderbolts, Bucky’s role is strangely curtailed. He’s magnificent every time he’s onscreen—his luscious locks, even more so—but he doesn’t have all that much to do. Bucky is the catalyst for a lot of the plot but he himself is really just along for the ride. I find this a very odd choice considering the massive fanbase Bucky, and Sebastian Stan, has among superhero film fans. It’s a bold decision to bump their leading man down to a tertiary character. But it does give Yelena and Bob plenty of room to shine.
I wish I hadn’t gone into Thunderbolts* expecting to see three women rule the screen. I don’t know why I even thought that would be the case after the way the world unjustly reacted to The Marvels. I guess we should be grateful Marvel had the courage to make Yelena the protagonist after what happened with The Marvels, but is it really too much to ask to see multiple women in the spotlight for a superhero film? Is it not 2025?
But if, unlike me, you go into Thunderbolts* just wanting to watch a group of funny anti-heroes banter, punch, kick, lose, win, find themselves, and you don’t really care about the optics of not having all the ladies shine, you are going to love this film. It’s got action. It’s got heartfelt moments that feel relatable. It’s got Bucky and his amazing hair. It’s got Valentina and her amazing hair. And it’s got one hell of an end-credits scene. You won’t want to miss it.
Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters.