Thunderbolts Review: The New Avengerz with a Z

Marvel’s Thunderbolts isn’t a game-changer, but it is an entertaining, gritty diversion from the studio’s usual formula. Anchored by strong performances—particularly from Florence Pugh’s Yelena and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky—the film offers a darker, more grounded team dynamic that sets it apart from the cosmic chaos of recent MCU entries.

The tone is refreshingly somber, flirting with moral ambiguity, trauma, and redemption. It’s less about saving the world and more about what broken people do when they’re forced to work together. That said, the plot is uneven. Some character arcs feel rushed or undercooked, and the third act leans too heavily into generic MCU spectacle, abandoning the grounded tension that made the first half intriguing.

Director Jake Schreier handles the action well, but it’s the banter and emotional beats that hit hardest. Thunderbolts doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a solid addition to the MCU with enough bite to stand on its own.

Verdict: 7/10 – Messy but meaningful. A worthy, if imperfect, look at Marvel’s misfits.