The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen its fair share of highs and lows, especially since the end of the Infinity Saga. Amidst all this, it seems like ‘Thunderbolts*’ arrives like a ray of sunshine and hope.
The film has just been unveiled to select members of the press, and early reactions paint a very different picture from what fans might expect from a traditional MCU team-up. In fact, if first impressions are anything to go by, the film may very well be one of Marvel’s boldest and most refreshing films to date.
Critics Call Florence Pugh “The Brightest In The Cast”
With Florence Pugh returning as Yelena Belova, now leading her own MCU film after impressive appearances in Black Widow and Hawkeye, ‘Thunderbolts*’ promises something new and better. Critics are raving not only about the cast chemistry and gripping story, but also about how the film fearlessly leans into trauma, healing, and redemption, making it stand out.
Related: ‘Thunderbolts*’ Creates The Perfect Opportunity For Scarlett Johansson’s Return As Natasha Romanoff
From the moment she first appeared in Black Widow, Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova became a fan favorite. In ‘Thunderbolts*’, she takes center stage and, according to early reactions, she absolutely runs away with it. Critics are calling Pugh’s performance “superb” and “the brightest in the cast.” Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture says she carries much of the film’s emotional weight.
“Thunderbolts is some of Marvel’s darkest material to date,” Neglia wrote, highlighting how the film uses Pugh. Film writer Emily Murray called it “one of the best MCU movies in a long time,” noting that it made her shed a tear. “Florence Pugh in particular superb, just walks away with it,” she added. That sentiment is echoed across several reactions, with many praising the film’s emphasis on character development.
While action and visual effects are present, ‘Thunderbolts*’ trades some of the typical MCU flash for realism. And fans seem to love it. The dysfunctional team dynamics, the emphasis on mental health, and the morally grey nature of its characters seem to give the film an edge and authenticity that audiences have been craving.
‘Thunderbolts*’ Broke A 17-Year-Old MCU Trend
Marvel’s Thunderbolts doesn’t just impress emotionally, it also breaks a record that’s been standing since the MCU’s birth in 2008. The film is the first PG-13 Marvel movie to receive the “strong violence” label from CARA. That alone tells us something important: the film isn’t pulling its punches. And it makes perfect sense.
Related: ‘Thunderbolts*’ To Mark The Debut Of MCU’s Most Powerful Villain Ever
This isn’t the shiny, clean-cut world of the Avengers. These are broken characters with blood on their hands. From Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) to Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), every character brings emotional baggage and a troubled past to the table. The addition of Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, whose alter ego the Void may emerge as the movie’s true threat, only raises the stakes.
Moreover, g=this shift in tone is what fans have been hoping for. After the lighter, often chaotic energy of the Multiverse Saga, audiences are looking for grounded, emotionally driven stories. ‘Thunderbolts*’ appears to be delivering just that, without compromising on intensity. While it isn’t R-rated, the strong violence warning suggests Marvel is leaning into the darker themes and not diluting them.
As Marvel looks to bounce back from less successful entries like ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, ‘Thunderbolts*’ is what the studio needs. Additionally, with ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’ on the horizon, the film sets a powerful precedent: Marvel can evolve. It can experiment with tone. If the early reactions are any indication, ‘Thunderbolts*’ isn’t just another Marvel film.
