Sitting there at a café after just watching the latest entry from Marvel, Thunderbolts, I find myself deep in thought. Wondering about the exact power of a hug, an embrace.
Even more importantly, who were the first people to perform the act? Was it Adam and Eve, shortly after being thrown out of the Garden of Eden, trying to comfort themselves? If we were all to embrace at the same time, would we solve climate change?
Might it be possible that all African leaders just need a hug to make the continent work, to finally take its place as one of the most influential continent in the world. This is not a philosophy piece.
Today we’re talking about Thunderbolts, the 36th film from Marvel.
So, is Marvel back? Is this Marvel’s Suicide Squad? Where do hugs come in all this?
Let’s talk about it.
Synopsis
Starring an unconventional team of antiheroes we’ve seen in previous Marvel productions (some popular, others not quite), including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker are forced into a dangerous mission that makes them confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
The movie had a $180 million production budget (before marketing), during a time Marvel movies haven’t exactly been doing well.
Where to Watch
Thunderbolts is currently (early May 2025) showing in theatres.
What Worked
If you’re a classic Marvel fan, the day ones, those who’ve been there since Phase One, when stories were tightly connected and post-credit scenes actually meant something, you’re going to enjoy this. Thunderbolts feels closer to the early MCU than anything we’ve had since Endgame.
Hands down, the writers are the true MVPs here. The dialogue and character interactions are sharp and surprisingly well-balanced, considering these characters come from different corners of Marvel’s TV shows and movies.
Joanna Calo (BoJack Horseman, The Bear, Hacks) and Lee Sung Jin (Beef) co-wrote the script, and it shows. There’s a nice balance between serious themes and light moments.
And they go to some dark places, some character backstories hit harder than expected. Yes, the Marvel humour is still there for those accustomed to it, but this movie has a serious and very dark undertone.
Thanks to the writing and performances, the team chemistry really works. Red Guardian and Bucky Barnes have great back-and-forths.
John Walker and Bob (aka Sentry) are another unexpected pair that works, but not in a good way. You end up more invested than you’d think. I never found Walker all that compelling in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but here, he’s grounded and more “human.”
Even though I have issues with some story arcs, there’s a strong message at the heart of it, similar to Moon Knight. I won’t spoil it. The first two acts do a good job of keeping the plot unpredictable and character-focused, though I wish the trailers hadn’t given away some key moments.
This is not quite a redemption arc. The film makes it clear these are selfish, broken people. It doesn’t try to clean them up. So, by the third act, though I didn’t like what they did, their choices feel earned. You see the growth, even through the mess.
The action is okay, very Marvel. Every action scene with Bucky is cool, but the trailers spoiled most of it. The moment Bob becomes Sentry and has to face the Thunderbolts is a fantastic action scene, but we don’t get enough of it.
Still on Sentry, if you’ve never read the comics, just think of him as Marvel’s Superman but keep your expectations in check. This is more of an origin story. He’s a fascinating character, especially for where the MCU might go next, if they choose to do something cool with him.
The film also moves fast. It’s tightly edited and lean, which makes it ideal for the big screen. It clocks in at about two hours but doesn’t feel like it.
What didn’t work
Marvel, please give Bucky his own film. I thought he was wasted in this. Even when the movie touches on its theme, it avoids focusing on Bucky, who has the most fascinating and tragic backstory. He’d have been more interesting to follow than who they went with.
In fact, I’m one of those people who believe Bucky should have been the next Captain America. But let’s stay focused, as I was saying, Bucky was wasted in this film.
If you’re not used to Marvel’s tonal shifts, the blend of humour and serious themes might throw you off, especially during key emotional scenes. For longtime fans, it’s exactly what you think it is. For others, it might feel offbeat.
Though not explicitly, this movie in a way demands a watch or rewatch of some Marvel TV shows and movies like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow.
Andrew Droz Palermo, who shot The Green Knight, brings some great visuals here, especially the use of grey in the third act, but I expected more. The movie doesn’t have a distinct visual identity that sets it apart from other Marvel titles.
And if you’re a hardcore Sentry fan, this version will disappoint you. This version is more grounded, focused on trauma and isolation. It fits the story but lacks the depth and awesomeness that comic fans might expect.
The ending fits what we’ve seen and what has been established about these characters, but it may leave some viewers underwhelmed. It works for a drama. As a comic book climax, maybe not.
The heroes do something at a pivotal moment that, while it makes sense in the grand scheme of things, might just leave you in a café pondering the meaning and power of a hug, in this case, a group hug.
Also, the costume design makes the movie feel more like a streaming show than a theatrical film. They are just not cool.
Thunderbolts exist in the comics, but this movie feels it was inspired by DC’s Suicide Squad than the source material.
Is Marvel back?
Thunderbolts is more entertaining than I expected. The writers embrace the messiness of these personalities, and that leads to moments that are funny, tragic, and occasionally deep.
It’s not a masterpiece. We’re still in the era of Disney Marvel being heavy-handed in their messaging.
Moon Knight handled a similar theme way better than what we have here. Even with that said, this is one of the better (not good) Marvel films since Endgame, alongside Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Deadpool & Wolverine.
Still, it’s not enough to say Marvel is “back”.
Conclusion
The last two months have spoiled filmgoers with good releases, and Thunderbolts is almost there. Not perfect, but definitely worth watching and remember to hug someone afterwards.
