UhVyn

This is the Marvel movie we didn’t know we needed. On the surface, it looks like a team-up movie with a cast of characters from previous projects that weren’t necessarily successful. Each character on the team hails from lesser-known MCU shows or films. It has people asking, “Why should I care?”—and this film answers that exact question. It provides much-needed backstory and depth to these characters, so we care about what happens to them in the future of the MCU. What many films after Avengers: Endgame (2019) have been lacking is heart, and Thunderbolts is filled to the brim with it.

It’s already expected that we’ll see this whole cast return for Avengers: Doomsday (2026), and we only have one more MCU film between now and then to set it up. For that reason, this film is essential character development leading into Avengers: Doomsday—and I am completely here for it.

The Thunderbolts*

Yelena Belova as Black Widow (Florence Pugh)

The star of the movie. The critics are right—Florence’s performance shines, and her scenes really tug at the heartstrings. Her iteration of Black Widow, after taking over the mantle following her sister’s death, has been building up to this moment. We get to sympathize with her the most throughout the film.

At this point in the MCU, Yelena has experienced immense grief, and making her the focal point of Thunderbolts just makes sense. We get a deeper look into her past, expanding on what we learned from Black Widow (2021). Since then, she’s appeared in projects like Hawkeye (2021), where we saw her grapple with revenge and loss. By the film’s end, she steps up to lead the Thunderbolts to victory—and she truly earns her leadership role in the new team.

Bucky Barnes as The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)

The Winter Soldier has always been one of the most compelling MCU characters for me, and that doesn’t change here. In this movie, Bucky is portrayed as a hero from start to finish. In past appearances, he’s always been tethered to his dark and complicated past—but not this time. He gets to be a congressman and embrace his identity as a changed man. This is a refreshing shift after a decade-long arc since Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), where he was always trying to overcome his past.

Alexei Shostakov as Red Guardian (David Harbour)

We were introduced to Red Guardian in Black Widow (2021), just like Yelena. Alexei is the film’s main comic relief and shares a heartfelt moment with Yelena near the climax. His role as her father is crucial to her development. You can truly feel his grief when he believes Yelena has died being swallowed by the Void. In the end, Alexei gets what he wants: a spot on a new team—and the fame that comes with it. His pride during the mid-credits scene about finally being on a Wheaties box is palpable.

John Walker as U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell)

Last time we saw John Walker, he was the new Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). A decorated soldier, he carried the mantle in a way very different from Steve Rogers. He was eventually stripped of the title, and Sam Wilson reclaimed the shield.

In hindsight, Wyatt Russell’s performance was great. At the time, I disliked him as Cap—but that was the point. In Thunderbolts, we see Walker from a new angle: a broken man, rejected by the world, with his trauma affecting his marriage. The film humanizes him, and by the end, he became one of my favorite characters.

Ava Starr as Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)

Ghost was the main antagonist in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), a film that played a major role in Endgame. So it was surprising we hadn’t seen Ava again—until now. Her role in Thunderbolts seems primarily driven by her phasing ability. She advances the plot by escaping the incinerator and driving the getaway vehicle, but we get less backstory or development for her than anyone else on the team (except one…).

While I was glad to see her return, she felt underused. I hope future projects flesh out her character more now that she’s officially part of the team.

Antonia Dreykov as Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko)

Poor Taskmaster was done dirty. Her presence in the marketing was misleading, and many speculated she’d die—and they were right. She’s killed by Ghost early in the film. It makes sense narratively (Taskmaster can’t fight what she can’t see), but it’s disappointing. She deserved more development and a bigger role.

That said, this might not be the end. Her death opens the door for a Taskmaster reboot—closer to the comic version with witty banter and flair. In the multiverse, anything is possible.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)

Valentina has appeared in multiple MCU shows, always giving off shady vibes. Thunderbolts confirms those suspicions. Her performance is intentionally insufferable, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus leans into that wonderfully.

As head of the CIA, she’s hiding many secrets—the biggest being the creation of a new “invincible” superhero. That’s the main driver of this movie’s plot. While she orchestrates the formation of the Thunderbolts, she steps back as Yelena takes the reins. A well-earned transition.

Bob as Sentry (Lewis Pullman)

You can’t help but love Bob. Every time he’s on screen, you feel both joy and sympathy. Though this is his first MCU appearance, the film delivers enough backstory—his addiction and trauma—to make him feel familiar. He’s the heart and soul of the team.

In the film’s emotional climax, the Thunderbolts hold Bob in a group hug to stop him from punching down the Void. It’s gut-wrenching and beautifully choreographed.

The Void (also Lewis Pullman)

Two sides of the same coin—Sentry and the Void. Bob’s alter ego is among the most powerful forces in the MCU. Depression personified. The climax, where Yelena enters the Void, recalls Scarlet Witch’s visions in Age of Ultron (2015), except this time, the entire city suffers their separate but also shared hallucination.

Yelena confronts Bob in a haunting dreamscape, and we see his trauma revealed in a tender heart-to-heart. When the rest of the team arrives, we hear what they experienced—but don’t see it. That was a missed opportunity. Except for Bucky (whose regrets we already know), seeing those personal nightmares would have added depth.

Still, the sequence was impactful and served as a strong, emotional climax.

The New Avengers

The big reveal: “Thunderbolts” was a placeholder. The team’s real name? The New Avengers. That explains the asterisk.

I had a feeling something like this might happen, but I didn’t expect Marvel to actually use the name. This new team is a sharp contrast from the original Avengers. Bob is their most powerful member, but he’s sworn off using his powers to avoid summoning the Void. When Valentina reveals they’re inheriting the Avengers mantle, I was just as awestruck as the characters.

It’s a major leap forward for the MCU, which hasn’t had an Avengers team in six years. Now that the role is filled, they’ll face looming threats. This sets up fascinating tension with Sam Wilson’s Captain America, who was also forming his own team. The post-credits scene hints at Sam’s disapproval, and I can’t wait to see that drama unfold on-screen.

Post-Credits Scene

What a unique moment! This is the first time an upcoming MCU movie’s conclusion was shown in the post-credits of a different film. The reveal of the extra-dimensional ship as the Fantastic Four’s rocket confirmed many fan theories about Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025).

We can assume they flee their dimension—possibly from Galactus—and land in Earth-616, seeking help and joining the New Avengers for Avengers: Doomsday (2026). While speculative, the clarity of this scene makes it feel all but certain.

Conclusion

Thunderbolts—or rather, The New Avengers—was a welcome experience. I wish we had more films like it before Avengers: Doomsday, but I’m grateful this one exists. The focus on mental health was wise, making these broken anti-heroes relatable and endearing.

I highly recommend this movie—Marvel fan or not. Here’s hoping Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) ends with them meeting our new team. Look out for my review this July!

My score: 8.5/10