You know how every group project has the one person who does all the work, the one who is mysteriously always missing, and the one who might actually be a little unhinged? That is basically the Thunderbolts team in a nutshell. This movie takes the Marvel formula, throws it in a blender with some trauma and sarcasm, and somehow ends up with a surprisingly cohesive, emotionally layered film about a bunch of misfits trying to make it out alive… and maybe make a difference.
Thunderbolts brings together a ragtag group of morally complicated characters who are all a little rough around the edges. Their mission, unsurprisingly, is dangerous. The kind of mission that screams, “We were definitely not the first choice for this.” But when Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is your boss, you do not exactly get to say no.
What makes this movie work is that it is not trying to be shiny or sleek. It leans into the idea that these characters are messy. They have trauma. They do not always make great decisions. But they also care, in their own weird, broken ways. The result is a story that is not just action-packed but also grounded in a way that feels different from most MCU entries.
The performances are what really make it sing. Florence Pugh continues to be the MVP of everything she touches. Her portrayal of Yelena is layered and vulnerable, but she never loses that sharp edge that makes her so fun to watch. Sebastian Stan brings a weariness to Bucky that feels earned, and the quieter moments between the characters give the film a weight it absolutely needed.
There are plenty of fight scenes, of course. This is still a Marvel movie. But they feel grittier and more personal. You are not just watching faceless enemies get tossed around. You are watching people who have something to prove, to themselves and each other, fight like it matters.
The humor lands well too. It is not all quippy one liners for the sake of being clever. The jokes come from who these characters are and the bizarre situation they are in. Red Guardian trying to bond with literally anyone? Hilarious. Yelena roasting him for it? Even better.
Visually, the movie is darker than your average Marvel fare, both in tone and palette, but it works. The cinematography leans more grounded than glossy, and it helps sell the stakes of the mission and the emotional weight of the characters’ backstories.
The plot has a few moments that feel a little predictable, but honestly, it is forgivable because the character work is so strong. This is not about a twist ending or some massive crossover. It is about redemption, reluctant connection, and the messy work of trying to be better when your track record is full of disaster.
Thunderbolts might not have the cleanest heroes or the most polished plot, but it absolutely has heart. It is a story about second chances, found family, and what happens when people who were never meant to be heroes are the only ones left to step up. And somehow, it all works.
This is not the flashiest Marvel movie, but it might be one of the most emotionally satisfying. If you like your action with a side of existential crisis and inappropriate humor, this crew is your new favorite disaster.
OUR RATING
Discover more from itsm3g
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
