Thunderbolts*: A Bold New Chapter in the MCU with Raw Emotion and Unforgettable Character
Full transparency: I hosted an advanced screening in partnership with AMC Theatres and RealD 3D for Marvel Studios Thunderbolts*.
First of all, this isn’t your typical superhero movie. Sure, there might be action, suspense, and high-level stakes, but at its heart, this film delves deep into some heavy topics—mental health, trauma, grief, and the need for human connection. It's a story that might not resonate with everyone, but if you’ve ever experienced deep grief or battled depression, this film will hit you hard. And if it doesn’t speak to you in some way, I can only assume you haven’t gone through that kind of emotional struggle or watched someone you love suffer through it. And for that, I say—you are truly lucky. Thunderbolts* is raw, real, and painfully honest, offering a bold new direction for the MCU.
A Deeper, Grander Story Than Expected
Going into Thunderbolts, I thought I’d be watching a classic misfit superhero team-up, a-la Gaurdians perhaps with a quirky, funny adventure where the characters grow into their powers. While that element is certainly there, what I didn’t expect was the deep focus on personal mental health. This film isn’t just about saving the world—it’s about saving yourself. The characters, from Yelena to Bucky, all struggle with their own personal demons, and the film explores how grief and depression can swallow you whole, leaving you desperate but in denial that you are actually starving for any glimmer of hope or human connection.
The idea of existential dread runs through the entire movie. Characters constantly face the void—the overwhelming feeling of being lost or abandoned in their own past traumas and subsequent suffering—and yet, the beauty of the story lies in the fact that they find relief in each other. It’s about how the right people can pull you from the darkness, even when you don’t feel like you deserve to be saved.
A Different Approach to the MCU
This is a dark, quiet Avenger(ish) 2.0, and it’s a far cry from the usual MCU . While the superhero undertones and action are still a huge part of the plot, the film’s true heart lies in its character-driven narrative. The MCU has always been gifted at giving us the characters we want—heroes we can root for, admire, and see evolve. But what sets Thunderbolts apart is how quickly the MCU strips away that development, giving us just enough relief to let our guard down, only to take it away in an instant.
The Red Guardian played brilliantly by David Harbour, has a moment of redemption that feels like the audience is finally going to get a sigh of relief for him after his heartbreaking sacrifices for his daughters back in Black Widow. But just as quickly, that moment is ripped away, and Harbour’s raw emotion in that scene is palpable. You feel it. As a parent you want to escape the theater from that pain. You feel the crushing weight of his past and present, and it’s devastating—yet, it works so well to show the reality of what many of us face when dealing with grief. Displaying that nothing ever stays buried down inside of us no matter how strong we are. And yet, The Red Guardian's quirky humor comes back into view soon after and it feels like an old friend, and not at all forced upon by screenwriting.
A Strong Cast and Dynamic Chemistry
This film’s strength lies in its characters and their chemistry. Yelena, in particular, offers so much more from Florence Pugh's delivery. She becomes the emotional core of the story, a kind of middle sibling therapist to the group while grappling with her own silent grief. Her moments of vulnerability mixed with sharp humor are some of the most engaging scenes in the film.
And while the action scenes are perfectly executed, they never overshadow the heart of the raw experience. The choreography is stellar, but it’s woven into the story in a way that serves the emotional arcs of the characters. This is not a movie focused on cool fight scenes (although they're there)— it’s about characters you didn't think you cared about, dealing with real-life struggles, making the action sequences even more compelling.
A New Direction for the MCU
If Thunderbolts is any indication of what the next wave of the MCU will look like, then buckle up because we’re in for a much more grounded, human approach to superhero storytelling. The humor, the action, and the spectacle are all still there, but the emotional depth is what stands out. It’s gritty, real, and dare I say, healing in a way we haven’t seen before. The film delivers a story that resonates beyond the superhero genre, providing a powerful reflection on trauma, grief, and the power of chosen family.
If you’ve been craving an MCU film that’s more than just a hero's adventure, Thunderbolts* delivers something truly unexpected. It’s bold, it’s raw, and most importantly, it’s human—showing us that even the most broken among us can face their past and create something new. This isn’t just a new chapter—it fees like a new era for the MCU.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Thunderbolts might just be one of the most emotionally impactful films in the MCU to date. It’s a story of healing, redemption, and the importance of having people around you to help pull you from the darkness. If you’re a fan of the MCU, prepare to be surprised—and if you’ve ever struggled with loss, grief, or the need to belong, this film will hit close to home.
And hey, if you love this film as much as I did, trust me—you’re not alone. Because really, none of us are.
Marvel Studios Thunderbolts is in Theaters May 2nd, 2025
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