Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' Earns Critical Acclaim, Heralded as Potential MCU Comeback
Just when audiences might have felt superhero fatigue setting in, Marvel Studios appears poised to reinvigorate excitement with its latest offering. Thunderbolts*, the 36th entry into the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, is drawing strong positive reactions from critics ahead of its weekend debut. This wave of praise comes as a welcome development for the studio, particularly following the disappointing critical reception for Captain America: Brave New World earlier in February.
Early reviews suggest Thunderbolts* is more than just another installment; critics are calling it a significant and successful effort for the franchise. Particular points of acclaim include the film's handling of mental illness themes and standout performances from cast members Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman.
Is 'Thunderbolts*' Essential Marvel Viewing?
Critics are largely advising against dismissing the film as insignificant. Many reviews position it as a highlight among Marvel's recent projects and essential viewing for fans.
- "The initial thought might be to dismiss Thunderbolts as an also-ran. That would be a mistake, since this flick is one of Marvel’s more successful efforts of late." - Joey Magidson, Awards Radar
- "Thunderbolts* is a great superhero flick and one of the biggest surprises of 2025." - Tyler Taing, Discussing Film
- "Thunderbolts is essential summer movie escapism, and proof that perhaps the lethargic Marvel Studios can still capture lightning in a bottle." - Eric Francisco, Esquire Magazine
- "The sort of level that more superhero films should be at… Thunderbolts is a pleasant surprise." - Ross Bonaime, Collider
- "Schreier’s scrappy ensemble effort is anything but a one-off." - Peter Debruge, Variety
- However, not all reviews were entirely glowing from start to finish: "Until its climactic collapse, Thunderbolts is good enough." - Siddhant Adlakha, JoySauce.com
Can It Reignite Passion for the MCU?
For viewers feeling disconnected from the MCU's recent direction, particularly the complex Multiverse Saga, Thunderbolts* is being hailed as a potential re-entry point.
- "If you've found yourself falling out of love with the MCU over a messy Multiverse Saga, Thunderbolts could be just the movie to pull you back in." - Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy
- "Thunderbolts is a nice reminder of what this company is capable of at its best." - Matt Singer, Screen Crush
- "This is what fans have been waiting for." - Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
- "It's the rare movie that can be appreciated by casual Marvel fans and diehards alike." - Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
- It serves as "the kind of olive branch to casual viewers this franchise sorely needs," according to Siddhant Adlakha at JoySauce.com.
Ranking High in the MCU Pantheon?
Several critics are placing Thunderbolts* among the upper echelon of MCU films, suggesting it achieves a level of quality not seen in some time.
- "Thunderbolts is one of the MCU’s best." - Britany Murphy, Muses of Media
- "Thunderbolts is not just the best Marvel movie in a while, it is top-tier Marvel." - Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
- It's hailed as "one of the most enjoyable, fun, and genuinely moving MCU films since Endgame." - Ross Bonaime, Collider
- "It’s one of the best movies of The Multiverse Saga to date." - Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy
- Eric Francisco at Esquire Magazine notes the film embodies the "secret sauce" of Marvel's best movies: "even polar opposites can amount to a greater sum than their parts."
- While acknowledging its strengths, David Ehrlich of IndieWire tempers expectations slightly, calling it "among the best and most self-possessed of these movies since Thanos snapped the mega-franchise in half, [but] its pleasures still feel like faint echoes of the series’ previous highs."
A Fresh Take or Familiar Territory?
Director Jake Schreier is credited with bringing a distinct feel to Thunderbolts*, differentiating it from typical MCU fare with a more grounded energy and tone, partly driven by its thematic explorations.
- "Director Jake Schreier gives this flick a slightly different look and feel from most Marvel works." - Joey Magidson, Awards Radar
- It evokes "one of the most grounded and effective entries the MCU has delivered in quite some time." - David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel
- "Because of the themes Thunderbolts is exploring, this has a different tone than we’re often used to in the MCU, and it’s a welcome change." - Ross Bonaime, Collider
- While acknowledging the dysfunctional team dynamic isn't new ("hi, Guardians of the Galaxy"), Ian Sandwell at Digital Spy states "it's the strength of the cast that elevates it."
- Justin Clark at Slant Magazine observes that Schreier "manages to put his indie sensibilities to good use throughout," though it remains "an MCU flick to its core."
- Some critics felt it still adhered too closely to formula: "Thunderbolts is another messy Marvel movie... they are so caught up in dropping exposition and lore and sneaking in little hints for the future that they forget we're here to see a movie." - Kaitlyn Booth, Bleeding Cool
Comparisons have been drawn to DC's Suicide Squad (with Nick Schager of The Daily Beast calling *Thunderbolts* "a Suicide Squad done right"), Marvel's own Guardians of the Galaxy and even the original Avengers film in terms of feeling. Its thematic ambition regarding mental health drew parallels to 2016's Doctor Strange from Siddhant Adlakha at JoySauce.com.
Script, Themes, and Character Focus
The screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo is receiving praise for its intelligence, humor, and focus on character depth, particularly its exploration of mental health.
- The script is described as "smart and amusing" by Pete Hammond at Deadline Hollywood Daily.
- David Gonzalez of The Cinematic Reel praises Calo and Pearson for crafting "raw, emotionally grounded storytelling that sets their script apart from recent Marvel entries."
- Ross Bonaime at Collider emphasizes that the film understands "character is king, story matters."
- Thematically, critics appreciate that it's "about more than taking out the bad guy" (Collider) and tackles depression, though perhaps not deeply enough for some. Ian Sandwell (Digital Spy) calls the exploration "impressive... in a mainstream summer blockbuster."
- Molly Freeman (Screen Rant) notes, "one thing the film does very well is depict how messy and imperfect mental health can be."
- Lauren LaMagna at Next Best Picture felt the writers "only scratch the surface with these themes" and desired "more dissection and discussion."
- The film is also noted for its self-awareness, with Justin Clark (Slant Magazine) stating it's "nothing if not self-aware," and Nick Schager (The Daily Beast) observing it "has self-conscious fun positioning itself as a dark Avengers riff."
Action, Visuals, and Humor
The action sequences in *Thunderbolts** are generally well-regarded, often highlighted for their practical effects, grounded choreography, and improved CG compared to some recent Marvel outings.
- "Thunderbolts has some of the best Marvel action sequences that we have seen in a while, with CG that is on point." - Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
- Lauren LaMagna (Next Best Picture) notes, "Much of the action is captured in-camera, with practical effects and well-choreographed stunts," making it feel "more grounded."
- Michael Ordoña (San Francisco Chronicle) praises the "entertaining, in-your-face battles" resulting from the characters' more grounded abilities.
- However, Nick Schager (The Daily Beast) found fault, stating an early sequence "demonstrates that director Jake Schreier is intent on adhering to the MCU’s typical murky-action template."
Visually, the film is described by multiple critics as one of the best-looking MCU films recently, aided by "top-flight VFX" (San Francisco Chronicle) and cinematography that matches the tone (Collider). Yet, The Daily Beast found the "muted gray-and-gloomy color scheme" prevented the material from "popping."
Humor is present, described as well-placed comedic relief in a dark story (Mama's Geeky), with David Harbour's timing singled out (The Cinematic Reel). Britany Murphy (Muses of Media) specifically enjoyed Ghost's reactions to Red Guardian and U.S. Agent.
Standout Performances Elevate Ensemble
While the ensemble cast is praised, certain actors received special mention for their contributions.
- Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova): Widely acclaimed for anchoring the film with "vulnerability and emotional weight" (The Cinematic Reel) and bringing "real gravitas" (Deadline Hollywood Daily). Britany Murphy (Muses of Media) states she "was a standout in Black Widow... and she does the same in Thunderbolts."
- Lewis Pullman (Bob/Sentry): Dubbed the "real standout" by Ross Bonaime (Collider), Pullman is lauded for his portrayal of a complex character dealing with severe mental illness. Critics called his performance "brilliant" (Next Best Picture), "tremendously sympathetic" (Esquire Magazine), and key to the third act's success (Bleeding Cool).
- Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent): Also highlighted as a "standout as the dime-store Captain America" by Michael Ordoña (San Francisco Chronicle).
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine): Praised for finally hitting her stride as an "interesting and threatening woman villain" (Muses of Media) who provides the necessary "gravitational pull" (Esquire Magazine).
- The Sentry/Void character, played by Pullman, was noted by Awards Radar as possibly "the first time that Marvel has made the villain an overt metaphor," comparing the effectiveness to Killmonger in Black Panther.
Minor Gripes and Future Prospects
Despite the largely positive buzz, some criticisms emerged. Pacing, particularly in the first two acts, was mentioned as potentially slow (Awards Radar). Additionally, the film's necessary connections to the larger MCU were seen by some as a drawback, feeling inauthentic at times (Discussing Film) or reducing narrative tension since the characters' future appearances are known (Digital Spy).
Most critics, however, felt the film successfully generated excitement for the future, both for these specific characters and the MCU overall.
- Lauren LaMagna (Next Best Picture) predicts audiences will "eagerly anticipate their return."
- Justin Clark (Slant Magazine) suggests this is the first time since *Wakanda Forever* that the prospect of seeing characters again feels like "a gift the characters fully deserve." (Though Matt Oakes at Silver Screen Riot expressed no excitement for their return).
- The film is seen as a potential "course correction" (Bleeding Cool) and a sign that Marvel is "on its way to recapturing its mojo" (The Daily Beast).
- Tessa Smith (Mama's Geeky) teased a mind-blowing and "insanely important" post-credit scene.
- Ultimately, while perhaps not single-handedly getting the MCU fully "back on track," Thunderbolts* is viewed as a "necessary success" (Awards Radar) offering hope that "better days for Marvel are on the horizon" (The Cinematic Reel).
