Thunderbolts marks Marvel’s first real step toward redemption, but despite its strong cast and witty dialogue, the effort might feel overdue for some fans.
- Director: Jack Schreir
- Star Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, Florence Pugh
- Thunderbolts Movie Review Rating: 3.5 stars***
- Runtime: 127 minutes
- Available On: Cinemas
- Language: English (with subtitles)
- Watch or Not?: Definitely Yes!
- What’s Bad: The movie struggles to excite with its dull action and unsatisfying wrap-up, acting more as a placeholder for future developments than a story that stands tall on its own.
- What’s Good: Their dynamic clicks impressively well, often sparking memories of the bond shared by the original Avengers squad
There was a time when Marvel stood unmatched in global entertainment, redefining how superhero stories were told on the big screen.
But post-Endgame, the studio seems to have lost its narrative compass. With Thunderbolts, Marvel attempts a return to its roots, though it’s unclear whether this move can recapture its former success.
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Thunderbolts Movie Review: Analysis of Script
At this point, Marvel has a very established formula, and Thunderbolts fits right into that mold. It’s a solid adventure film that doesn’t take big risks but delivers just enough to satisfy.
Despite the high expectations that weigh on every Marvel outing, this one stays afloat and avoids major missteps.
The film works, in part, because of the talented crew behind it. Director Jake Schreier, who brought us Beef and a few well-loved indie titles, teams up with A24 regulars Andrew Droz Palermo (cinematography) and Ryan Lott (music).
As the promotional material rightly highlights, this creative line-up delivers a polished and visually appealing product — something that’s been missing from many of Marvel’s latest films.
What truly anchors Thunderbolts is its sharp writing. Each character gets their moment to resonate, whether through laughs or serious beats, echoing the emotional rollercoaster of the original Avengers.
It may not stir the same cultural frenzy, but the screenplay hints that Marvel might be regaining its narrative rhythm. You can almost feel it breaking through.
When it comes to the plot, the movie opts for a minimalistic approach, straightforward, with no major twists, just a step-by-step progression through cityscapes and facilities as the characters work to expose their enemy.
The resolution doesn’t break new ground and comes off as a bit too familiar. However, the engaging cast helps the pacing stay brisk. The post-credit scenes, though, are surprisingly impactful and feel more essential than their placement suggests.
Thunderbolts Movie Review: Star Performance
The ensemble cast works remarkably well together, offering a blend of compelling interactions and fully developed roles. Florence Pugh commands the screen as the film’s true lead, with the most layered arc.
Wyatt Russell brings a surprising yet welcome comedic energy to his character, a departure from the grittier version we previously saw in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Always a welcome face, Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines again in Thunderbolts, finally getting to expand Angelina into a more layered and commanding figure, reminiscent of Amanda Waller from the DC universe.
She hits the mark with both wit and intimidation. Lewis Pullman, while compelling, is held back by a thinly written role, though he makes the most of what he’s given as Sentry.
Thunderbolts Movie Review: Music & Direction
Beyond its well-written characters, the film stands strong technically, with competent cinematography and generally decent visual effects, nothing ground-breaking, but also not embarrassingly flawed like Quantomania.
Where it falters slightly is in direction and action. Jake Schreier’s roots in indie cinema and television seem to influence the film’s tone and aesthetic, resulting in some sequences that feel modest rather than cinematic.
What truly holds the film back is the action. Though the film is filled with action sequences, none of them manage to make a lasting impression or stand out as a signature moment for action lovers.
This is especially frustrating since superhero films are known for their thrilling action scenes. Here’s hoping that Fantastic Four and the subsequent films address this before the next Avengers movie comes out.
Thunderbolts Movie Review: Final Verdict
Thunderbolts is a solid effort by Marvel to find its footing again after the struggle to maintain momentum post-Endgame.
The familiar structure remains with the post-credit scene taking the lead in setting up future stories, but there’s now a sense of direction that was sorely missing before.
While it’s not the best Marvel has to offer, here’s hoping they stay on this path and make superhero films fun once more.
Thunderbolts Trailer
Get ready to watch Thunderbolts as the film is slated to release on May 1, 2025
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Madhusudan Goel is a graduate in Mass Communication and has a passion to develop any story into his own words.
