In the 17 years since the MCU began, very few Marvel Studios films have addressed mental health with the level of nuance seen in Thunderbolts*. Iron Man 3 explored Tony Stark’s PTSD following The Avengers, Avengers: Endgame depicted Thor’s battle with grief and depression, and Moon Knight focused on dissociative identity disorder, but most of these stories treated mental health as a subplot rather than a central theme. Thunderbolts*, however, places mental health at the heart of its narrative.
While Thunderbolts* features an ensemble cast, the story is primarily introduced through Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who starts the film on a mission, dressed in worn-out sweatpants and openly expressing feelings of emptiness and lack of direction. The film then brings in several other Marvel characters, all carrying some of the franchise’s heaviest emotional baggage, and focuses on how forming bonds and finding community can be powerful means of coping with depression and other mental health challenges.
Without claiming that Thunderbolts* offers the most accurate or profound portrayal of mental health in the MCU—or in film more broadly—the movie succeeds in showing just how complicated and untidy mental health struggles can be. At its core, it delivers a simple yet powerful message: that feeling seen, knowing someone cares, and realizing your absence wouldn’t make the world better are all vital. That message sits at the heart of Thunderbolts*, and it’s one that many viewers may find deeply meaningful.
Credit: Marvel Studios
Thunderbolts* centers its story and themes around mental health, but that’s just one element that makes the film effective. The characters’ interactions are sharply written, balancing humor and drama, the action sequences are both exciting and emotionally charged, and the performances rank among the strongest in the MCU.
Thunderbolts* is billed as a Marvel team-up film. Still, the narrative primarily focuses on Yelena and the enigmatic Bob (Lewis Pullman), with the rest of the team playing more secondary roles in the main storyline. It’s admittedly a bit frustrating to see Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), a long-time presence in the MCU, take a backseat once again—but it’s also clear that Florence Pugh and Pullman make for a compelling and effective lead pairing.
Pugh, an Academy Award nominee, stands out as one of the most impressive additions to the MCU since Avengers: Endgame. She gets the opportunity to take center stage and fully rises to the occasion. Her portrayal of Yelena is exceptional, showing a deep understanding of the character that rivals the familiarity Sebastian Stan has with Bucky or Tom Hiddleston has with Loki—both of whom have had significantly more time to develop their roles. That alone is impressive, but making Yelena feel so grounded and relatable in Thunderbolts* is truly remarkable.
Pullman brings charm and intrigue to the role, portraying a character whose painful history is gradually revealed as the story progresses. His chemistry with Yelena is one of the film’s standout elements, but he also holds his own in scenes with the rest of the ensemble, adding to the movie’s overall dynamic energy.
Credit: Marvel Studios
It would be wrong not to acknowledge the rest of the strong Thunderbolts* ensemble. Wyatt Russell delivers a surprisingly engaging portrayal of John Walker. At the same time, David Harbour shines as Alexei Shostakov, or Red Guardian, offering comedic relief and emotional depth in his scenes with Yelena. Hannah John-Kamen and Sebastian Stan don’t get as much screen time or material, but both still bring their characters to life effectively. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is also a standout as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, adding a dose of sharp humor, though her character can sometimes feel somewhat flat.
The MCU is often noted for using humor to offset its high-stakes drama, and Thunderbolts* might be the strongest case yet for how essential that levity can be. The film manages to stay emotionally grounded even while weaving in comedy, never letting the jokes diminish the weight of what Yelena, Bob, and the others are going through. Instead, the humor offers a kind of emotional release, like finding laughter in the middle of grief.
For those curious about the asterisk in the title, it becomes clear by the film’s end, and it’s well worth the wait. Also, stick around after the credits roll for an exciting tease that hints at what’s next for the MCU’s future.
Overall, Thunderbolts* manages to be both a classic Marvel film and something that stands apart. At points, it could pass for a generic spy thriller, but including familiar, well-developed characters adds emotional weight and resonance. It’s one of those rare Marvel projects that works for both longtime fans and more casual viewers. While it doesn’t have the polish or scope of an Avengers movie, its grittier tone and compelling team dynamic make it a standout ensemble story worth seeing.
Thunderbolts*: Gritty, Grounded, and Surprisingly Deep
Thunderbolts* manages to be both a classic Marvel film and something that stands apart. It’s one of those rare Marvel projects that works for both longtime fans and more casual viewers.
