‘Thunderbolts’ Review: Florence Pugh and Pals Kick Some Asterisk*

Marvel Studios has taken another bold leap into its ever-evolving cinematic universe with Thunderbolts — a film that feels like a fresh mix of anti-hero grit, comedic flair, and emotional nuance. Directed by Jake Schreier and headlined by Florence Pugh, Thunderbolts doesn’t just attempt to subvert traditional superhero storytelling—it gleefully flips the formula on its head.

From the start, the film’s stylized title, Thunderbolts* (yes, complete with an asterisk), sets the tone: this isn’t your typical save-the-world tale. Instead, it’s about a ragtag crew of morally grey characters reluctantly thrust into the role of Earth’s backup defenders. Think of it as Marvel’s response to The Suicide Squad, but with more introspection and a distinctly MCU flavor.

The Setup

Set after the events of Captain America: New World Order, the world is in flux. The Avengers are fractured, the political landscape is chaotic, and there’s a growing need for a new kind of intervention team—one that doesn’t necessarily play by the rules. Enter Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who assembles the Thunderbolts: a covert ops team comprised of anti-heroes, outcasts, and loose cannons.

The lineup includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), U.S. Agent John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). Each has their own baggage, history, and motivation for joining this black-ops Avengers alternative.

What’s refreshing is that Thunderbolts* doesn’t try to hide its characters' flaws—in fact, it embraces them. These are damaged individuals trying to find purpose in a world that’s largely written them off. The result is a messy, emotional, and often hilarious story about redemption, revenge, and reluctant heroism.

Florence Pugh Steals the Show

It’s no surprise that Florence Pugh, reprising her role as Yelena Belova, absolutely commands the screen. Equal parts deadly assassin and sardonic little sister, Yelena is the heart of the team. Pugh delivers a performance that’s layered with humor, pain, and vulnerability. Whether she’s delivering quippy one-liners or grappling with the emotional weight of her past, Pugh brings a humanity to Yelena that sets her apart from the rest of the ensemble.

Her chemistry with the other characters—especially with David Harbour’s Red Guardian and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes—is electric. There’s a scene midway through the film involving a campfire, vodka, and a brutally honest truth-telling game that becomes one of the film’s most memorable moments, balancing levity and emotion in perfect harmony.

A Team of Misfits

What makes Thunderbolts* click is the way it leans into the dysfunction of its central team. Each member is a character who, in other films, would be a side note or villain. Here, they’re given space to evolve. Wyatt Russell’s John Walker continues to be an intriguing figure—a man torn between patriotism and ego. Red Guardian is comic relief but also a tragic figure trying to relive faded glory. Taskmaster gets much-needed depth after the muted reception in Black Widow, and Ghost grapples with the fear of being forgotten and unwanted.

Bucky Barnes, ever the brooding figure, acts as a reluctant mentor and emotional anchor. His arc, moving from guilt-ridden loner to protective big brother figure, is surprisingly touching. And yes, he gets to do some serious ass-kicking along the way.

Style and Substance

Director Jake Schreier brings a grounded, grungy visual style to the MCU with Thunderbolts*. The action is kinetic but not overly polished—there’s an intentional rawness to the fight sequences that gives the film a distinct tone. This isn’t about spectacle as much as it is about character-driven combat. There are fewer CG-laden battlefields and more gritty, close-quarters fights where the stakes feel immediate.

The soundtrack, a mix of hard-hitting alt-rock and moody synth, fits the tone perfectly. The pacing, for the most part, is tight, though the third act does veer into familiar territory with a climactic showdown against a shadowy villain whose motivations are a bit undercooked. Still, the film earns its emotional beats, particularly in how it handles the consequences of violence and the cost of redemption.

Humor That Hits

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its humor. Unlike some recent MCU entries where the jokes feel forced, the comedic moments in Thunderbolts* arise naturally from the characters. Whether it’s Red Guardian’s outdated bravado, Yelena’s endless sarcasm, or John Walker’s unintentional buffoonery, the film finds laughter in the absurdity of these broken people trying to work together.

But it’s not all laughs. The film tackles some serious themes—identity, trauma, self-worth—and doesn’t shy away from showing the psychological scars its characters carry. In one particularly affecting subplot, Ghost confronts her isolation and existential dread, leading to one of the more poignant character resolutions in recent Marvel memory.

Asterisks and Antiheroes

So what’s with the asterisk in the title? It’s never directly explained, but thematically it works. These characters are footnotes in the larger Marvel narrative—forgotten, cast aside, or marked with a metaphorical asterisk in the superhero ledger. They aren’t the first choice, and they know it. But in embracing that status, they find strength and purpose. It’s a clever bit of meta-commentary that adds an extra layer of depth to the film’s identity.

Final Verdict

Thunderbolts* isn’t the most revolutionary Marvel film, but it’s one of the most emotionally resonant and character-driven stories the studio has produced in recent years. It takes a group of B-list characters and gives them A-list development, all while delivering hard-hitting action, smart humor, and a touch of soul.

Florence Pugh leads the charge with a magnetic performance, and the ensemble cast rises to the occasion, turning what could have been a chaotic mess into a cohesive, compelling, and refreshingly different MCU entry.

In a franchise often dominated by gods, geniuses, and billionaires, Thunderbolts* reminds us that sometimes, the most compelling heroes are the ones with scars, doubts, and a whole lot of asterisks.