‘Thunderbolts*’ Review: Not-So-Superheroes Lead the MCU’s Return to Team-Up Glory

The MCU kicked off 2025 with the divisive Captain America: Brave New World, but now Marvel is taking another crack at things with Thunderbolts*. Marvel’s latest team-up film sees characters from Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and more come together to take on Sentry (Lewis Pullman), who may well be the new most powerful hero in the MCU. Although Marvel has mostly prioritized solo projects in the Multiverse Saga, Thunderbolts* is proof enough that the MCU still has what it takes to put together a team and deliver a hit.

Both the questions surrounding Thunderbolts* and the interest in the film were heightened when the recent Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement revealed most members of the team would continue their run into Marvel’s first Avengers film since Avengers: Endgame. As far as we know, Thunderbolts* is the second-to-last film before Avengers: Doomsday, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps sandwiched between. This ultimately leads to the film taking on an enhanced sense of importance, but it makes the brave choice to run towards these increased stakes, not away from them.

There have been plenty of MCU projects released over the last few years that will ultimately be forgotten with time, but make no mistake, Thunderbolts* is not one of them. Not only will it help restore some good faith for those who have lost interest in the MCU over the last few years, but it’s also a gift for those who have been following the story all along with the same passion they have for years. When the dust settles, Thunderbolts* will not only be remembered as one of the better MCU movies of the Multiverse Saga, but a Marvel film that can stand with some of the titans from Phases 1-3.

What Is ‘Thunderbolts*’ About?

Thunderbolts* follows Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and other anti-heroes from past MCU projects, such as John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), all of whom have resorted to working for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Valentina acts as something of an anti-Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), using this group of misfits to carry out odd jobs for her around the world. However, when she comes under fire, she sends them all on a mission that leads them to the same place for nefarious reasons.

This group may not be all-stars when it comes to working together, but once they figure out what Valentina is up to, they’re smart enough to realize they have no choice but to team up. Needing all the help they can get, they recruit Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), two super soldiers who are ready to take the fight against Valentina. The team then heads to New York to meet her head-on at what was formerly known as Avengers Tower, where they run into The Sentry (Pullman).

After having a run-in with Bob earlier in the film, they now come face to face once more, but he is no longer the same person they recognize. He’s fully evolved into The Sentry now, and more powerful than all the Thunderbolts rolled into one. This team of not-so-superheroes who would rather be anywhere else must figure out how to work together to face something far more dangerous than any of them could have ever imagined.

Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman Are the True Standouts of ‘Thunderbolts*’

There are a lot of characters in Thunderbolts*, but the movie belongs to Yelena and Bob, or The Sentry. Despite Yelena being the only one on the team with no real superpowers and Sentry being the new most powerful being in the universe, their stories mirror each other in ways that connect the characters to the audience and each other. We’ve seen some of what Yelena has gone through, like losing her sister Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) not once, but twice, but Bob has dealt with his fair share of trauma.

Bob and Yelena are proof that no matter how busy or strong you are, no one is immune to feeling alone in the world. With her sister now gone, all Yelena has wanted is someone to connect with — particularly her father, whom she has not heard from since the events of Black Widow — but she’s found no friends or family in her work. Nor has Bob, whose profound sense of loneliness is part of what leads him down the dark path that creates The Void, the alter ego to Sentry that wants the world to feel the same pain he knows all too well.

Still, the handling of Sentry throughout the movie is perfect. No trailers or TV spots spoiled his full look, which is refreshing considering Marvel has become a bit too comfortable revealing its biggest surprises in the weeks and days leading up to a new movie’s release. This mystery builds tension throughout the first two acts of the film, and as characters like Yelena and John grow more curious about Bob’s true nature, it’s impossible for the audience’s curiosity not to follow suit behind them.

‘Thunderbolts*’ Has Everything an MCU Movie Needs

Thunderbolts* may not shatter any box office records like Deadpool & Wolverine did last year, but it’s exactly the win the MCU needs right now. As the project between Avengers: Doomsday grew less and less, the need for something that not only resonates with critics and audiences but also ties directly into the narrative has been growing. Thunderbolts* delivers that classic MCU feel with a movie that is not only two hours of a riveting good time, but also something that feels vital to the larger MCU narrative going forward.

With such a large roster of characters, the action in Thunderbolts* is unlike any MCU movie to come before. There’s a great deal of Yelena Belova getting her hands dirty with grueling hand-to-hand combat, but there’s also time enough to watch John Walker toss around his shield while Sentry launches people around with the power of a god. Most importantly, the humor doesn’t take away from the story, and is both well-timed and delivered perfectly to add some laughs and heart to a movie that’s otherwise grotesquely dark.

However, just because there are some laughs to be had doesn’t mean Thunderbolts* is one of those “turn your brain off and have fun for two hours” types of movies. With a script from Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, Thunderbolts* has something to say about not being afraid to ask for help, and it lets the audience know that just because someone is feeling lonely or depressed doesn’t make them any less of a person. Jake Schreier also brings direction to the film that feels simultaneously professional but also easy to enjoy.

We Haven’t Seen the Last of the Thunderbolts

There has been plenty of uncertainty in Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU about when and if characters will be seen again, but fans can rest easy knowing it won’t be long before the Thunderbolts show up once more. The team will star in Avengers: Doomsday, and they’re far from the only firepower to throw at Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). 

The Thunderbolts may have started as misfit castoffs from other solo projects, but now they’re all worthy of leading one of the most ambitious and non-Avengers MCU team-up movies ever. With a heartfelt story grounded in real human emotion and problems, thrilling action, and hilarious moments, Thunderbolts* is sure to please movie fans of varying levels of passion.

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