Thunderbolts* Review: Marvel’s Bold, Dark, and Hilarious Return to Form

“Thunderbolts” brings back the fun and feels the MCU needed.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* is the movie that made me believe in the MCU again. After a string of entries that felt like they were checking boxes, this film swings for the fences—and absolutely crushes it. It’s Marvel’s boldest, darkest, and funniest film yet. This film is a wild ride that dares to be different while still packing the emotional punch and high-stakes action fans crave.

Directed with edge and heart, Thunderbolts* introduces us to a chaotic band of antiheroes: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). They’ve been thrown together by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) on a suicide mission that challenges everything they know about themselves—and each other.

This team is an absolute mess in the BEST way possible.

And that’s exactly why it works. Watching them try to function as a unit is like a beautifully unhinged fever dream, especially once they come into contact with Lewis Pullman’s Bob Reynolds/Sentry. Those scenes are trippy, intense, and unlike anything Marvel has done before.

Florence Pugh once again proves she’s a bonafide superstar. Thunderbolts* is really Yelena’s story, and she carries it with a mix of vulnerability, sarcasm, and inner strength. She commands every frame she’s in, but let’s not overlook David Harbour’s Red Guardian, who steals every scene with his gruff, lovable charm. Still, Bucky will always be my favorite—and he gets his own Terminator 2-esque moment that fans will go nuts over.

Wyatt Russell’s US Agent also gets some standout moments that finally show how underrated he is. Lewis Pullman leaves a serious impression as both Bob and the Sentry. He delivers a layered and haunting performance that’s still stuck in my head.

One of the film’s biggest surprises is how much it leans into mental health. These characters are broken, scarred, and trying to put the pieces back together—and the film doesn’t shy away from those themes. It’s emotional in a way that feels genuine and earned. There’s more dialogue than you’d expect from a Marvel film, and while sometimes you want the story to move forward faster, those quiet moments give Thunderbolts* a richness many recent MCU films have lacked.

And yes, the asterisk in the title FINALLY makes sense. There are no spoilers here, but trust me, it’s worth it. Stick around for both credit scenes, which tease some big things for the future of the MCU. One will leave your jaw on the floor.

Verdict

I give Thunderbolts* 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is a thrilling mix of heart, humor, and chaos. It’s the spark Marvel needed and a clear sign that the studio still has plenty of surprises up its sleeve.

Did this movie live up to your expectations, or surprise you in ways you didn’t see coming?

Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube.