Thunderbolts* Review – Florence Pugh Is the Saving Grace of Marvel’s Hit-and-Miss Mess
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* arrives with the promise of a grittier, more morally complex take on the superhero genre, but instead delivers a tonally uneven and occasionally disjointed entry in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the film assembles a compelling cast of antiheroes, it struggles to balance character development with coherent storytelling — often feeling like a patchwork of missed opportunities. Fortunately, Florence Pugh’s performance as Yelena Belova stands out as the undeniable highlight, injecting much-needed heart, humor, and depth into a film otherwise bogged down by inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped arcs.
The plot centers around a government-formed squad of misfits and reformed villains — including Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) — who are recruited for a morally gray mission. Despite the ensemble’s potential, the script struggles to give each character meaningful screen time, leading to rushed interactions and unexplored motivations. The tone shifts awkwardly between dark and comedic, leaving the audience unsure whether they’re watching a gritty character study or a typical Marvel caper.
Florence Pugh, however, continues to prove why she is one of the most magnetic performers in the MCU. Her portrayal of Yelena brings emotional nuance and wit, grounding the film with an authenticity that many of her co-stars aren’t given the space to reach. Her chemistry with David Harbour’s Red Guardian provides some of the film’s most heartfelt and entertaining moments, offering glimpses of what Thunderbolts* could have been if it had embraced a more focused and character-driven approach.
Visually, the film delivers competent action sequences, but few are memorable or stylistically unique. The climax, while explosive, feels formulaic and lacks the emotional payoff the setup aims for. Director Jake Schreier tries to steer the film into darker territory, but the familiar Marvel formula keeps pulling it back, preventing Thunderbolts* from fully committing to its premise.
In the end, Thunderbolts* is a mixed bag — an ambitious concept weighed down by uneven execution. It will likely satisfy diehard MCU fans curious about the fates of its lesser-known characters, but casual viewers may find it underwhelming. Still, thanks to Florence Pugh’s standout performance, there is at least one strong reason to stick around for the ride.
