TASKMASTER LOOKS LIKE SHE’S TRYING TO ESCAPE THE POSTER.
“Careful Who You Assemble,” the poster warned, almost as if Marvel themselves were cautious about which characters to bring together for a new superhero team that fans would be interested in seeing again.
At the time of this movie’s release, six years have passed since the last official Avengers movie, and fans will have to wait another 18 months for the next one. Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has lacked a proper team-up movie. Marvel tried introducing a new team in 2021’s The Eternals, but most fans and critics were underwhelmed by the group of almost interchangeable superpowered alien robots. They’ve yet to make another appearance.
Movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine offered some memorable crossover moments, but they were primarily multiverse-driven fanservice films. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 almost counts as a team-up film, but the Guardians have always been a self-contained group, separate from most events in the MCU, with Vol. 3 serving as their send-off (for now). That being said, they were all really fun movies and some the best the MCU has had in the past five years.
What made the original Avengers movies so iconic was their ability to bring together previously introduced characters to fight a common threat, allowing for relationship-building and setting up future standalone and ensemble films. These movies were the glue that held the MCU and The Infinity Saga together.
In contrast, the post-Endgame era of The Multiverse Saga has often felt like an extended setup for the inevitable Secret Wars crossover, with very little payoff or a sense of progression to keep fans satisfied until then. With few team-ups or major sequels on the horizon before Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, Thunderbolts* feels like the ensemble movie the MCU has desperately needed to reignite that sense of connection and camaraderie.
SPOILERS BELOW!
THIS IMAGE FROM THE TEASER TRAILER HAS TWO GHOSTS IN IT AND ONLY ONE OF THEM IS ALIVE.
A New Team of Misfits
Thunderbolts* brings together a ragtag group of characters, several of whom were introduced in the MCU’s Phase 4 and have have been missing in action for a while. These characters are:
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Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh): A trained assassin and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow’s adopted sister who struggles with depression stemming from her past traumas.
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Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbour): An aging Russian super soldier who searches for purpose and recognition in a world that has abandoned him.
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John Walker / U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell): A disgraced super soldier yearning to reclaim the respect he lost after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
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James “Bucky” Barnes / The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan): A bored congressman who finds little fulfillment in his political career, preferring action over words.
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Ava Starr / Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen): A phase-shifting mercenary who has been absent since 2018’s Ant-Man & the Wasp and has finally gained control over her powers.
Thunderbolts*’ greatest strength is its ensemble cast. Each actor gives their character depth, and the chemistry between them feels authentic. In the increasingly crowded MCU, it’s getting more difficult for new characters to get the proper attention they need to stand out. The film allows each of its protagonists enough screen time for meaningful character development and team-building, creating relationships that feel natural and earned.
The dynamics among the characters are often hilarious, with sharp banter and witty insults. While the humor occasionally risks overshadowing the movie’s darker themes and serious moments, it effectively underscores the team’s dysfunction, making their eventual unity even more satisfying.
One black mark on Thunderbolts* worth mentioning is how it shockingly wastes Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), introduced alongside Yelena and Red Guardian in 2021’s Black Widow. Despite her prominence in the film’s advertising and connection to two of the lead characters, Taskmaster’s role is limited to one fight scene, and she never officially joins the team. This lack of development is disappointing, especially given her potential for deeper exploration.
It’s likely that fans might have seen Taskmaster’s reduced role coming from her limited presence in the trailers, but it’s still frustrating that she isn’t given the same level of respect or attention that the other characters get (especially since her part was cut significantly during rewrites). However, if viewers can move past this, the rest of the movie offers plenty to enjoy.
A Fascinating Hero and a Terrifying Threat
While Thunderbolts* features several familiar faces, the standout character is Bob Reynolds / The Sentry, played by Lewis Pullman. Initially shy and awkward, Bob hides a tragic struggle with severe mental illness. The Void, his alternate personality, manifests his hopelessness and amplifies it in others.
Void’s powers of darkness are both visually chilling and conceptually unique, embodying the film’s themes of inner darkness and hopelessness. Watching Yelena, Walker, and Bob confront their worst memories within Void’s grasp is harrowing and captivating. It’s unfortunate that the other team members don’t face similar trials, as seeing them overcome their struggles could have been cathartic and added even more emotional depth to the film.
Bob’s layered complexity, combined with Lewis Pullman’s stellar performance brings an authenticity that elevates the movie’s emotional core and ensures the character leaves a lasting impression long after the movie ends. Many people will find themselves relating to Bob’s struggles with depression and trauma through his conflicts with Void, and also find his story inspiring.
A Villain in the Shadows
While Void is the main threat by the end of the movie, the true villain of Thunderbolts* is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the scheming CIA director responsible for the movie’s events. Louis-Dreyfus portrays her with smugness and slimy charm, perfectly embodying a character willing to dispose of evidence—even people—to protect her image. Valentina’s plan to introduce Bob as “The Sentry,” the world’s most powerful superhero, adds tension as she manipulates events for her benefit.
Adding depth to Valentina’s character is her assistant, Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan), whose moral struggles provide an interesting foil to Valentina’s amorality.
Dysfunctional Dynamics
Much of the film’s humor comes from the “Thunderbolts” bickering and trading witty insults. While the humor occasionally feels overdone, it effectively showcases the team’s dysfunction. These characters aren’t superheroes—they’re flawed individuals grappling with their own issues, many of which stem from traumatic pasts.
As the group learns to work together, the film’s emotional weight shines through. Themes of mental health and redemption are ever-present, making Thunderbolts* more character-driven than action-focused—at least until the final act.
A Satisfying Superhero Team-Up
While Thunderbolts* features personal stakes rather than world-ending threats for much of its runtime, this focus proves to be its strength. The movie explores themes of trauma, depression, and redemption, showing characters fighting not just external foes but also the darkness within themselves. What initially feels like Marvel’s take on some kind of Suicide Squad evolves into a heartfelt story about overcoming inner emptiness and finding purpose.
Thunderbolts* stands out as a more satisfying experience than Captain America: Brave New World. By forming a new team of flawed yet compelling anti-heroes, the film succeeds in pushing the MCU forward. The team’s journey is poignant and brimming with potential for future stories. By the time the credits roll, it’s clear this group of misfits have earned their place as The New Avengers. Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait long to see them again. Also, the end-credits scene gives fans an exciting tease for the very near future.
IF MARVEL CAN SPOIL THEIR MOVIE’S ENDING, THAN SO CAN I. ALSO, TASKMASTER IS BARLEY IN THE POSTER.
