The Thunderbolts have officially arrived at the box office, and Marvel’s latest feature film is making waves. Directed by Jake Schreier, this film features an unlikely group of lone wolf characters who have had to go their own way in past projects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now, they have the chance to band together to stop a power-hungry chairwoman of O.X.E. and former CIA director from repeating past mistakes with the Super Soldier Serum, or Sentry Serum, as it’s also known.
Marvel might finally be in its redemption era, as "Thunderbolts" has not only impressed critics and audiences alike but also raked in a healthy $11.5 million at the box office during Thursday’s previews. As of now, the latest installment in the MCU, centering on a rag-tag crew of demoralized assassins and former heroes, boasts an 88% Certified Fresh designation on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 95% Verified Hot label from audience reviews.
The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr aka Ghost, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov aka The Red Guardian, and Lewis Pullman as Bob aka Robert Reynolds.
Yelena Belova, played by Pugh, is the adoptive sister of Natasha Romanoff, and their sisterhood and history are further explored in "Black Widow" (2021). Pugh, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Amy in "Little Women" (2019), has since appeared in several notable films including "The Wonder" (2022) and "Oppenheimer" (2023).
James Buchanan Barnes, also known as Bucky, was introduced as Steve Rogers’ best friend in "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011). Sebastian Stan, who portrays him, received an Oscar nomination for his role as Donald Trump in "The Apprentice" (2024) and has appeared in various films and series throughout his career.
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a character with a complex past. She is the ex-wife of Martin Freeman’s Everett K. Ross and is portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who has won 10 Emmys for her role in "Veep". In "Thunderbolts," she serves as the chairwoman of O.X.E. Group and director of the CIA, having previously recruited powerful individuals like Yelena Belova and John Walker.
Wyatt Russell plays John Walker, a former military soldier who briefly took the Captain America shield. He first appeared in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" and is known for his roles in films like "22 Jump Street" (2014) and "Night Swim" (2024).
Ava Starr, known as Ghost, is portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen. She first appeared in "Ant-Man and The Wasp" (2018) and is known for her ability to render herself undetectable due to high amounts of quantum energy she absorbed. John-Kamen has also starred in "Ready Player One" (2018) and "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" (2021).
David Harbour plays Alexei Shostakov, also known as The Red Guardian, a Russian super soldier and the adoptive father of Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova. Harbour is well-known for his role as Jim Hopper in the Netflix series "Stranger Things" and has appeared in films such as "Hellboy" (2019) and "Gran Turismo" (2023).
Lewis Pullman plays Bob, a mysterious man who was part of Project Sentry, which injected humans with a serum that granted them immense power. Pullman, son of actor Bill Pullman, is recognized for his roles in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022) and "Lessons in Chemistry" on Apple TV+.
Olga Kurelenko portrays Taskmaster, or Antonia Dreykov, the daughter of General Dreykov, commander of the Red Room. Kurelenko is known for her roles in films such as "Hitman" (2007) and "Quantum of Solace" (2008).
The film has received a variety of reviews, with critics noting its thematic elements. The Washington Post remarked, "Call it the film critic’s version of Stockholm syndrome, but in between the requisite fight sequences and snippy-sniping dialogue, I found the thematic elements of ‘Thunderbolts’ to be unexpectedly effective, even profound.”
Newsday gave the film three out of four stars, praising its strong cast and a fresher-than-usual story. The Austin Chronicle rated it 3.5 out of 5, stating, “The Thunderbolts may not be the Avengers, but they’re the heroes we need now.”
However, not all reviews have been positive. Tribune News Service was less enthusiastic, giving the film 2.5 out of 4, citing an imbalance of “cheeky” banter and “inherent earnestness” that detracted from the overall strength of the film. The New York Times, while lukewarm, praised Pugh for deepening the material, likening her performance to that of the MCU’s former heavy hitter, Tony Stark.
On the other hand, some critics found the film lacking. Vanity Fair described it as “thin and insufficient,” suggesting that Marvel’s glory days won’t be restored by “downbeat little side adventures.” Similarly, the Los Angeles Times noted that “the whole movie feels like an asterisk,” while Mashable remarked that the finale to the MCU’s Phase 5 “feels like two to six ideas for a movie haphazardly cobbled together” with “little flow, less fun, and a final act that feels more like a cheat than an achievement.”
As the box office numbers continue to roll in, it remains to be seen whether "Thunderbolts" will solidify Marvel’s comeback or fall short of expectations. With a mix of critical acclaim and skepticism, this film is certainly drawing attention as it unfolds in theaters.
