Enough time has passed since Thunderbolts* opened in theaters, and I now believe the movie should inspire the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future. Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* brings together a group of anti-heroes under precarious circumstances, leading to their unlikely bond over their dark pasts. Previously introduced MCU characters Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) are sent on a suicide mission by their handler Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and meet Bob Reynolds/Sentry (Lewis Pullman), whose struggles with addiction and mental health led him to enter the Sentry Program and become an all-powerful being. When the Sentry’s dark side, the Void, emerges in New York, the Thunderbolts must work together to save the city and their friend.
The MCU’s 36th movie boasts a top-notch cast and a ton of heart as it tells the story of how six misguided individuals find their redemption in being part of a superhero team. Dubbed the New Avengers at the movie’s conclusion, the Thunderbolts are a unique and heartwarming MCU tale. Despite an average box-office performance, Thunderbolts* thrilled general audiences and became the first MCU film to eclipse an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. I think Thunderbolts* is a great blueprint for the MCU’s upcoming movies, and the franchise should look to replicate what made it so successful.
The MCU Did So Much Right WithThunderbolts*
In the wake of movie misfires like the overly convoluted Captain America: Brave New World, fan service-ridden Deadpool and Wolverine, and over-edited The Marvels, the MCU had to deliver something exceptional. The triumph of Thunderbolts* revolves around its character-driven narrative and genuine heart. Without saturating the movie with the sky-high stakes of an Avengers installment, the MCU fixates on the humanity of super-powered individuals. Pugh’s Yelena shines as the lead of Thunderbolts*, reckoning with her present loneliness and history as a prolific assassin. Also with red in their ledger are the former brainwashed mercenary Bucky, the former Soviet Super Soldier Red Guardian, the trained killer and former SHIELD agent Ghost, the failed Captain America replacement Walker, and the unstable Bob. These morally gray characters are a far cry from upstanding heroes like Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), and that’s what makes them so fascinating. Thunderbolts* doesn’t shy away from its subjects’ flaws, rather it highlights their mistakes and traumas as the force that binds them to each other.
Topics such as drug addiction and depression are rather heavy for the superhero genre, but Thunderbolts* handles them with sincerity and poise. The movie leans heavily on humor to counteract its darkness without downplaying the seriousness of mental health. Cheeky banter and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments between characters bring a sense of levity to Thunderbolts*, which also turns thoughtful when it needs to be. A powerful authenticity beams from Thunderbolts* in its best moments, namely Yelena’s heart-to-heart with Alexei and the Thunderbolts’ group hug in the Void. All in all, Thunderbolts* deftly balances the humorous and the heartfelt while paving a hopeful new path for each of its characters.
Thunderbolts* Should Guide the MCU’s Approach to Upcoming Movies
Thunderbolts* is so good, it should serve as the inspiration for more MCU movies. In addition to its well-balanced humor and strong focus on character development, the film revitalizes secondary franchise characters and subplots. Aside from Bob, all of the Thunderbolts had at least one MCU appearance to their name before 2025. Ghost’s only role was in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, Yelena and Alexei had been absent from the MCU since 2021, and Walker had never even appeared in a movie. Thunderbolts* pulls off the feat of making a group of predominantly lesser-appreciated characters captivating both individually and collectively. Thunderbolts* nicely sets the anti-heroes up for their return in Doomsday, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them as they clash with the Avengers and more Marvel personalities.
The MCU could also benefit from smaller-stakes stories such as Thunderbolts* going forward. World-ending or multiverse-altering events don’t need to keep resurfacing. Spider-Man: No Way Home, Eternals, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps all cross dimensions or deal with the destruction of worlds, but Thunderbolts* actually gives its characters enough breathing room to establish relationships and personal growth. The MCU should prioritize superheroes’ vulnerability and connections with each other without a supremely powerful villain taking up much of the plot. Thunderbolts* resonated well with audiences thanks to its emphasis on mental health and solidarity during challenging times, and I’m confident that the MCU could generate many more hit movies if it mirrors the same formula.
Thunderbolts* is now available to stream on Disney+.
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