Thunderbolts*
Marvel antiheroes team up for morally gray missions after previous MCU appearances
The brief
Jake Schreier brings a surprisingly grounded touch to what could have been another quip-heavy Marvel romp, letting the ensemble's damaged-goods energy breathe between the punchy action beats. Florence Pugh anchors the chaos with her trademark mix of vulnerability and bite, while Sebastian Stan finally gets to stretch beyond brooding assassin mode. The film feels less like a superhero movie and more like a heist thriller that happens to have people with powers, with genuine stakes that make you care about these misfit antiheroes. Perfect for anyone who thought the best parts of the MCU were when characters actually talked to each other like humans instead of setup machines.
The verdict
If you're craving a character-driven superhero film that prioritizes genuine human connection over endless quips and universe-building, this grounded ensemble piece delivers exactly what's been missing from recent Marvel entries. If you're expecting typical MCU spectacle and non-stop action beats, the slower pace and dialogue-heavy approach might leave you checking your watch during its 2+ hour runtime.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for Marvel fans wanting character depth
- 👫 Great for heist/thriller enthusiasts
- ⚠️ Skip if you prefer lighter superhero fare
Heads up
- Intense action violence and combat sequences (moderate)
- Characters confronting traumatic past events (moderate)
- Death trap scenarios and peril (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Cast
- Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen
Official synopsis
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Punisher: One Last Kill (2026)
Both feature damaged antiheroes confronting their dark pasts through violence.
