THUNDERBOLTS* (2025)

Genre: Action/Adventure
Director: Jake Schreier
Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Edward Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John - Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus 
Runtime: 2 hr 6 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 1 May 2025

Synopsis: In “Thunderbolts*” Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

Movie Review:

When was the last time a Marvel movie gave you goosebumps (in a good way) as the end credits rolled? For many fans, those moments trace back to the shocking finale of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), or the emotional passing of the shield from an aged Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame (2019).

It’s been a while since the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) truly sparked that kind of excitement about what’s next. But the 36th film in the franchise might just change that. Ironically, it’s not Earth’s mightiest heroes reigniting the hype, but a ragtag crew of antiheroes, characters some might dismiss as second-tier. And yet, it’s precisely this unexpected ensemble that could be setting the stage for Marvel’s most intriguing chapter in years.

It certainly helps to be familiar with the previous Marvel films and series to fully appreciate the backstories of the characters who’ve, ahem, assembled for this film. Leading the pack is fan-favourite Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier (played with brooding charisma by Sebastian Stan) who’s no stranger to either the big or small screen.

Then there’s Yelena, with Florence Pugh once again stealing every scene she’s in. We last saw her in Black Widow (2021) and in a brief but memorable appearance in Hawkeye (2021). She’s joined by her brashly affectionate father figure, Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian, brought to life with comedic flair by David Harbour.

Rounding out the squad are John Walker aka U.S. Agent (a stoic Wyatt Russell), whose controversial turn in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) left fans divided yet intrigued; Ava Starr aka Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), re-emerging from her last appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018); and Taskmaster aka Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko), who went toe-to-toe with the heroines in Black Widow.

Another standout character to watch is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - cue cheers from Julia Louis-Dreyfus fans! With her deliciously shady persona, Valentina is the kind of character you love to hate. As the director of the CIA, she delivers some of the film’s sharpest lines under the direction of Jake Schreier, with a screenplay penned by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo.

One memorable moment? When she pointedly corrects a judge that her last name is “de Fontaine”, not “Fontaine”. That alone offers a glimpse of her catty charm, and just a hint of the chaos she’s bound to stir up (and no, it’s not the good kind).

But at the heart of it all, we’re still here to root for the good guys - or at least, the ones trying to be. With an agreeable runtime of 126 minutes, the film draws you into the journey of this reluctant crew as they unite against a mysterious new threat: a strange figure known only as Bob (played by Lewis Pullman), who possesses the terrifying ability to turn humans into shadows when he ventures to the dark side.

It’s up to Yelena and Bucky to lead the charge and save humanity. And while the movie delivers the expected blockbuster spectacle (we are treated to slick CGI and high-octane action), it also offers some surprisingly heartfelt moments. Characters are forced to confront their pasts, including an emotional exchange between Yelena and Alexei, as well as Yelena’s internal struggle with a deep emptiness, one that is unexpectedly relatable to Bob.

As the film heads into its finale, we’re formally introduced to the new titular team of superheroes, setting the stage for what’s next. The stylishly animated end credits add a fresh touch, cleverly hinting at the team’s growing prominence within the MCU. And just when you think it’s over, the post-credit scene rolls in, capping off Phase Five with a tease that leaves us excited for what’s coming next.

Movie Rating:

(They may not be your typical A-list superheroes, but the ragtag crew of Thunderbolts* is exactly what the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed to reignite the hype for what’s coming next)

Review by John Li