Film Review: Thunderbolts*

4 Stars

By Joseph Beyer | May 17, 2025

With a notable asterisk in the title, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded this summer with the long-anticipated release of Thunderbolts*, the 36th film in the MCU, and for those passionate enough to keep following along, the final installment of Phase 5 of the ongoing narrative series that leads to a showdown between the “new” and the “old” Avengers.

But you won’t need any of these nerdy details to thoroughly enjoy Thunderbolts* for what it is: a fast-paced and entertaining action adventure with a refreshingly talented ensemble of lovable losers and imperfect guardians trying their best to save the world.

That’s because unlike some of the other MCU installments, Thunderbolts* makes it quite easy for audiences to drop into this world and these characters by avoiding long detailed exposition, complex backstories, or the density of detailed super-fan moments.

From the opening sequence set on the top of the world’s second tallest building, to the final seconds of the extended post-credits teaser, Thunderbolts* brings some old-fashioned fun and levity back for fans of comic book worlds brought to life.

Using a smart and witty script from Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Godzilla vs. Kong) and Joanna Calo (producer of The Bear and BoJack Horseman), the film runs a tight ship at 2 hours and 6 minutes in the hands of director Jake Schreier. The helmer is a curious choice with a talented independent background in film (Robot & Frank), television (Beef and Minx), and music videos for Kendrick Lamar and Justin Beiber, among others. His inventive use of visual storytelling, along with an intuition for revealing characters filled with emotion, is on full display here and pays off delightfully.

In theme, Thunderbolts* is a story of outsiders, underdogs, those with self-doubts and past demons, and protectors who don’t want to answer the call. In plot, it’s a story of mutant mercenaries who must band together to survive an assassination attempt on their lives. And when it’s over, it sets up a showdown between the old and new Avengers, setting into motion new villains and more adventures for this ragtag team of heroes in the making.

Actress and badass Florence Pugh headlines as the Russian agent Yelena Belova, aka Black Widow, giving the performance a supreme sardonic punk edge as she outsmarts her enemies and leads the squad from danger. Actor David Harbour matches her Borscht energy and shows where it comes from as Alexei Shostakov, aka Red Guardian, her overly-enthusiastic and proud father.

Rounding out the crew are performers Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, Wyatt Russell as the poor man’s Captain America (John Walker, aka US Agent), and Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr, aka Ghost.

On the villainous side, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a power hungry and Machiavellian double-crosser. Lewis Pullman joins her as Bob, aka Sentry aka The Void (a performance that at times seems to channel Cameron Frye from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off until replacing it with a creepy J.D. Vance if he wanted the presidency-vibe). Both are terrific and formidable foes.

With an inspiring score by Son Lux worthy of the big screen, Thunderbolts* brings some much needed joy back to the MCU franchise with wit, humanity, and an invitation that anyone can be a hero if they want to be.

Rated PG-13 for depicted violence, some adult language and themes. As with most MCU films, you’ll be rewarded with some special teaser content if you sit through the credits.