Marvel's Thunderbolts Is a Beautiful Mess—And We Loved Every Minute
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Getting the chance to attend an early screening of Thunderbolts was an incredible experience. From the opening scenes, one performance that stood out was Gabrielle Byndloss. As a stunning African American actress, she brings grace, strength, and emotional depth to every moment she's on screen. Her presence adds a grounded authenticity to the film, and it's great to see Marvel giving more space to powerful, nuanced women of color in this universe.
Thunderbolts marks a bold step for Marvel as it dives into a more morally grey, grounded world. Instead of a traditional superhero story, we get a messy, chaotic team of anti-heroes and misfits tasked with missions that aren't about saving the world—they're about surviving it. The setup is exciting and hints at bigger, more complicated stories down the road.
The film definitely isn't perfect. It still suffers from some of Marvel's old habits, especially throwing in humor at moments when the story would be better served with some breathing room. Emotional scenes sometimes get interrupted by jokes that feel a little out of place. But honestly? It doesn't take too much away from how entertaining the ride is.
David Harbour absolutely steals the show as Red Guardian, mixing comedy and tragedy in a way only he can. Florence Pugh once again proves she's one of the MCU's brightest stars, bringing heart, humor, and toughness to Yelena. Their chemistry is one of the biggest highlights of the movie, providing both emotional depth and laugh-out-loud moments.
Ghost, unfortunately, doesn't get as much to do as she deserves. She's a fascinating character with tons of potential, but here she feels a little sidelined. It's disappointing because her powers and backstory are so rich—hopefully Marvel gives her the spotlight she deserves in future projects.
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The action is tighter and more hand-to-hand focused than usual MCU fare, fitting the grittier tone really well. While the middle act does drag a bit, the third act brings some great payoffs, both emotionally and action-wise.
At the end of the day, Thunderbolts is messy, dark, and rough around the edges—but that's exactly what makes it such a refreshing entry into the MCU. It's not trying to be another perfect superhero movie. It's about broken people trying to find their way, and that rawness is exactly its charm. With strong performances, solid action, and an exciting setup for what's next, Thunderbolts easily stands out as one of the more interesting Marvel projects in a while.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Thunderbolts hits theaters May 2, 2025. If you're looking for something a little different from the usual Marvel formula—but still packed with heart, action, and standout performances—go see it. You won't regret it.
Anthony Head is a freelance writer and you can hear Jazmyn every morning on 'Jazmyn in the Morning 'on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz and Grownfolkjamz.com. Subscribe to Jazmyn Summers' YouTube. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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