---
title: "Thunderbolts*"
year: 2025
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/thunderbolts"
fi1m_id: "thunderbolts"
imdb_id: "tt20969586"
tmdb_id: 986056
wikidata_id: "Q112322474"
fi1m_score: 71
critics_score: 72
critics_reviews: 16
published: "2026-09-12"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:51.693869+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Thunderbolts* (2025)

Directed by Jake Schreier · 2h 07m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Science Fiction, Adventure

## Identity

Thunderbolts*

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/thunderbolts
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** thunderbolts
- **IMDb ID:** tt20969586
- **TMDB ID:** 986056
- **Wikidata ID:** Q112322474
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20969586/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/986056, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112322474

**Fi1m score: 71** · Critics 72 from 16 reviews

*In a sentence:* Marvel’s leftover hired guns, all miserable, and a man in pyjamas who is more miserable than the lot of them

> Marvel sends its spare parts into a hole and comes back with a film about not feeling well. Florence Pugh carries it; the first act dawdles and the fights are ordinary, but the ending earns its quiet.

## Synopsis

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), once a Black Widow, now does deniable jobs for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a CIA director facing impeachment who needs some evidence to disappear. On what is meant to be a routine job, Yelena finds she is not alone. John Walker (Wyatt Russell), the sacked Captain America, Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), who walks through walls, and Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko) have been given the same job, and the job is each other. Also in the vault is Robert Reynolds (Lewis Pullman), in pyjamas, who does not know how he got there. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), now a congressman, is trying to bring Valentina down. Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), the man who raised Yelena, drives a limousine and waits for her to call.

## Review

*Thunderbolts*, asterisk included, is a Marvel film made from the people the studio had left lying around. A Black Widow who is not the famous one. A Captain America who was sacked. A woman who walks through walls, a Russian super-soldier who now drives a limousine, and Bucky Barnes, who has been elected to Congress and looks as surprised about it as we were. Jake Schreier puts them in a hole and asks what they are for. Nobody is sure, and it is the first Marvel film in some time to be about something a person on a sofa might recognise: not much wanting to get up.

Florence Pugh is the reason it works. The film opens with Yelena telling us in voiceover that there is something wrong with her, and then going to work anyway. She does the job she was sent to do with the air of someone getting through the washing-up. Pugh plays boredom as a kind of grief, flat-voiced and heavy-shouldered, and she is funny about it without once asking us to find her cool. Her scenes with David Harbour, as Alexei, the man who raised her, are the best written in the film. We laughed at Alexei more than we meant to, a large man telling the same story about his glory days to anyone within reach, and then felt slightly ashamed, because the film shows us a second after each joke that he is lonely and knows it.

Lewis Pullman is the surprise. Robert Reynolds wanders into the vault in pyjamas with no memory of how he got there, and Pullman gives him a stammer and a smile that keeps apologising for itself. What he turns out to be we will not describe; the second half depends on him and he carries it. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a fine time as Valentina, a CIA director who treats her own impeachment as a scheduling problem, but the script by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo gives her the same three notes for two hours. Geraldine Viswanathan, as her assistant Mel, has the best deadpan in the film and about six lines.

Andrew Droz Palermo shoots it without sun. Grey concrete, brown offices, blue night, and Grace Yun’s vault is a bunker of steel doors and dust. It is deliberate and a little much. The score by Rafiq Bhatia, Ian Chang and Ryan Lott is low pulses and a choir that sighs rather than swells. Harry Yoon and Angela M. Catanzaro cut the vault fight so we can see who is hitting whom. The fights are clear and they are ordinary. A chase involving Alexei’s limousine goes on for some time and we could not describe a single shot from it.

The first forty minutes are slow in a way the film mistakes for mood. Valentina’s hearings, Bucky in a suit, a congressman called Gary (Wendell Pierce) making speeches: all of it is set-up, and somewhere in the second hearing we noticed we were checking the time. Sebastian Stan is stranded in a part that is mostly standing in doorways. The second half takes a turn we will not describe, except to say that it turns something private into something the whole cast can walk around in, and that the film then has a character explain what we are looking at when the pictures had already done it.

Against the studio’s record it is a modest thing. [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy) (2014) had a similar collection of leftovers and a great deal more fun; this has less fun and more feeling. Against *Black Widow* (2021), which introduced Yelena and Alexei and did not know what to do with either, it is a clear improvement. What it ends with moved us more than a film with an asterisk in its title had any right to, and Pugh does most of that with her face.

It runs 127 minutes and carries a 12A. See it if you have kept up; it assumes you know who these people are. If you have not, Pugh will carry you anyway, and the asterisk means something we will leave the film to explain.

*Fi1m score 71, published 12 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics like Thunderbolts*, and they like it for the same reasons. The praise clusters on Florence Pugh, whose weary Yelena is repeatedly named as the film’s anchor, and on a script that puts depression, grief and inadequacy ahead of city-levelling spectacle. Several reviews call it a throwback to an earlier, smaller Marvel, and credit director Jake Schreier with a darker, more grounded tone and a cast that is enjoying each other’s company.

The reservations are about shape rather than substance. The first act is called weak or draggy, the action choreography is judged workmanlike, and the humour is described as uneven. The New York Times finds the film formulaic underneath its moodiness, and the Los Angeles Times, the coolest of the bunch, calls it middling and says it sets its own expectations low. Nobody dislikes it; the spread runs from mixed to warm, with the warmest reviews coming from the more fan-facing outlets.

## Straight answers

**Is Thunderbolts* worth watching?**

*Thunderbolts** is worth watching if you have kept up with Marvel and can sit through a slow first act, and we scored it 71. Florence Pugh carries it, playing boredom as a kind of grief, and the ending is quieter and more affecting than the studio's usual. Newcomers may find it assumes they know who these people are.

**How long is Thunderbolts*, and what is it rated?**

*Thunderbolts** runs 2h 07m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is an action and science fiction film.

**Where can I watch Thunderbolts* in the US?**

*Thunderbolts** is not on any streaming or rental service in the US at the moment. It is available in 1 other country; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How does Thunderbolts* compare to Guardians of the Galaxy?**

*Thunderbolts** and [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy) start from the same idea, a team made of leftovers, but the earlier film is the funnier and more purely enjoyable of the two. *Thunderbolts** has fewer jokes and more feeling, with Florence Pugh's flat-voiced grief where Chris Pratt's swagger would be. Choose *Guardians* for a good time and *Thunderbolts** for a heavier one.

**What should I watch after Thunderbolts*?**

After *Thunderbolts**, try [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy) (2014, Fi1m 80): The same idea, leftovers made into a team, with the jokes landing more often. Then [*Le Samouraï*](https://film.one/film/le-samourai) (1967, Fi1m 88): Delon’s assassin is as bored as Yelena and never says a word about it.

### Reviews we read (25)

- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (4/5): Celebrates the return to form with action, thrills, and melancholy as the team grapples with grief; director blends spectacle and character focus effectively. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3ckz28/thunderbolts/)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (80/100, inferred): Florence Pugh has saved Marvel in this stripped-down, toned-up throwback to an earlier era of Marvel movies. Director Jake Schreier proves an inspired choice with a darker, more grounded vision and bruising action sequences. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/film-of-the-week-lets-make-mischief)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (B): The review praises the film's refreshing lack of firepower and focus on character interiority over spectacle, crediting Schreier and the cast for reinvigorating the MCU. Pugh is highlighted as anchoring the story with real human feeling amid themes of depression and inadequacy. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/thunderbolts-review)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (75/100, inferred): The film mostly works as an odd duck of a superhero movie that leans into MCU fatigue and might help straighten it out. It offers richer acting than recent entries and an emotionally grounded final act, though the first act is weak and action choreography lacks shine. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/thunderbolts-marvel-movie-review-2025)
- **Screen Daily** (75/100, inferred): Notes the film's modest approach and thoughtful look at addiction, abuse, and mental illness; performances suggest Marvel can still tell compelling stories despite franchise fatigue. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/thunderbolts-review-marvel-still-has-compelling-tales-to-tell/5204309.article)
- **The Guardian** (75/100, inferred): Florence Pugh is the most impressive member of a ragtag Suicide Squad-esque team in an often charmingly unusual yet still baggy adventure. The film is messy with clumsily forced narrative beats and tonal shifts but gets the job done as the best Marvel entry since WandaVision. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/29/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-marvel)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (65/100, inferred): The results are fitfully amusing, sometimes touching and resolutely formulaic. Florence Pugh is the best thing to happen to Marvel in a while, giving her weary Yelena an ironic sensibility that deepens the material. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/movies/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-kicks-asterisk.html)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3/5): Praises the bold exploration of mental health and trauma in a team-up film, with strong cast chemistry and snarky banter, but notes it requires prior MCU knowledge. Calls it a cut above recent entries. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/thunderbolts-review-2025)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (60/100, inferred): It balances self-deprecating comedy with an earnest allegory about facing personal trauma and mental illness. The film dragged until the Void sequence, then felt like a modestly budgeted supernatural thriller about tormented characters saved by troubled friends. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/thunderbolts-review-marvel-the-new-avengers-1236381303/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Amy Nicholson (50/100, inferred): Marvel’s jokey, moody and middling film sets expectations low and meets them. It is a teenaged-feeling, depressive and defiant spinoff that mocks itself before critics can, anchored by Pugh’s compelling performance as a sullen, bored assassin. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-05-01/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-david-harbour-julia-louis-dreyfus-lewis-pullman)
- **Empire**, John Nugent: The critic finds the film dares to be different as a ragtag anti-hero team-up with human moments and found-family themes among the action. It praises subtle performances (especially Pugh) and an internal resolution but notes uneven humor and a washed-out tone with mixed handling of mental-health elements. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/thunderbolts/)
- **Financial Times** (★★★★☆): Florence Pugh is the real marvel in this MCU entry featuring a mix of disconsolate also-rans who unite against an evil CIA boss. It comes within an inch of being the Barbie of the MCU with a rare note of downbeat realism. [Read](https://ft.com/content/040021fa-1537-4724-8097-711af679ee9d)
- **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman: The critic praises the film's focus on character depth and emotional themes over spectacle, highlighting Florence Pugh's performance and the fresh premise of antiheroes. It notes the group hug climax as a rare emotional touch in the MCU. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/thunderbolts-finally-fresh-engaging-premise-mcu)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic finds the film a gratifyingly fresh and soulful Marvel adventure with a distinctive take on the genre from director Jake Schreier. Pugh's performance as Yelena is singled out for its depth and emotional fragility amid the team's dysfunctional outsider dynamic. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-sebastian-stan-marvel-1236202913/)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★★★☆): This is the superhero film we needed, refreshingly devoid of CGI spectacle and focusing on the impact of poor mental health. It suggests the problems of the world can’t be solved by a super-powered punch but by a heartfelt group hug. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/thunderbolts-review-marvel-florence-pugh-c9rldc6f7)
- **Total Film**, Emily Garbutt: The review highlights how the film makes good on the promise of a new start for the MCU through its fresh tone and emotional depth. It singles out strong character work and a shift toward more grounded, human-focused storytelling amid the superhero elements. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/marvel-movies/thunderbolts-review/)
- **Vulture**: The critic calls it Marvel’s answer to an A24 movie, a pretty good film that turns C-lister anti-heroes into an asset through strong performances and emotional depth. Pugh's raw portrayal of unhappiness and the cast's chemistry are singled out as making the story feel solid and character-driven. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-thunderbolts-really-is-marvels-a24-movie.html)
- **Polygon**, Austen Goslin (85/100, inferred): The critic says Marvel is getting back to the basics of comedy, action, and actual characters with no multiverses or heavy CGI, praising the charming cast and chemistry. They note it sits comfortably among the franchise’s best films and is the first good MCU movie in a long time that cares about story and characters. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/marvel/566333/thunderbolts-review-marvel-florence-pugh-sebastian-stan/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (82/100, inferred): The critic calls it a terrific MCU throwback that focuses on characters and fun rather than wider concerns, with strong ensemble chemistry and emotional depth that could make fans fall in love with Marvel again. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a64588483/thunderbolts-review/)
- **Collider**, Ross Bonaime (8/10): The critic calls it a surprisingly emotional and restrained MCU film that is still a lot of fun and one of the most enjoyable since Endgame. They single out the focus on character dynamics and the balance of darker themes with lighter tone and action. [Read](https://collider.com/thunderbolts-review-mcu/)
- **NME**, Nick Levine (4/5): The critic hails the hilarious caper tone and aggy antiheroes that make Marvel fun again, praising the consistent blend of thrills, humor, set-pieces and emotional depth as the most enjoyable MCU film in years. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/thunderbolts-review-marvel-florence-pugh-david-harbour-3858907)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (3.5/5): The critic praises the winsome ensemble led by Florence Pugh and the film's shaggy, hang-out vibe as a refreshing MCU entry with emotional depth on depression and a soul, though the direction is merely workmanlike. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/thunderbolts-review-the-mcus-b-team-rises-to-the-occassion/)
- **/Film**, BJ Colangelo (7/10): The critic calls it one of the best MCU films for its emotional depth, human story of antiheroes confronting trauma and mental health, and strong ensemble performances, especially Florence Pugh as the emotional anchor. It blends humor with serious themes without sacrificing story but is not flawless. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1846662/marvel-thunderbolts-movie-review/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond: The critic finds the film a fun, character-focused origin story for Marvel's anti-heroes that prioritizes human elements like trust and identity over heavy CGI. The smart script and strong ensemble performances are singled out as strengths. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/04/thunderbolts-review-marvel-movie-1236379893/)
- **The Wrap**, William Bibbiani: The critic sees the film as a welcome, grounded MCU entry about working-class has-beens that focuses on character and consequences rather than cameos or set-ups. Pugh's performance and the ensemble's relatable issues are highlighted as particular strengths. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/thunderbolts-review-marvel-florence-pugh/)

## Details

- **Director:** Jake Schreier
- **Director:** Jake Schreier
- **Screenplay:** Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
- **Story:** Eric Pearson
- **Cinematography:** Andrew Droz Palermo
- **Editor:** Harry Yoon, Angela M. Catanzaro
- **Music:** Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, Ian Chang
- **Production design:** Grace Yun
- **Costume design:** Sanja Milkovic Hays
- **Producer:** Kevin Feige
- **Cast:** Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova; Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes; Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine; Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds; David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov; Wyatt Russell as John Walker; Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr; Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov
- **Runtime:** 2h 07m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 2 May 2025
- **Genres:** Action, Science Fiction, Adventure
- **Budget:** $180 million
- **Box office:** $382 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rs_HhSA7XY

## Where to watch in the US

Not streaming, renting or buying in the US at the last check.

Also available in: GB. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie 2025: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80: The same idea, leftovers made into a team, with the jokes landing more often. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021): Gunn’s expendables, nastier and funnier, and quite as fond of its worst people.
- *Mystery Men* (1999): The superhero B-team as a running joke, long before anyone was sad about it.
- *Le Samouraï* (1967), Fi1m 88: Delon’s assassin is as bored as Yelena and never says a word about it. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/le-samourai.md)
- *Beef* (2023): Two people who cannot stand themselves, no capes, and the same question about getting up.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/thunderbolts