“Thunderbolts*” follows a group of antiheroes and reformed villains who are pulled together for a covert mission. Once under the manipulative leadership of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the team now finds themselves questioning her motives and dealing with the consequences of their past alliances. The film explores their uneasy bond and search for redemption as they try to work together, despite their differences.
This is an amazing movie, and honestly, it is the best Marvel movie to be released in a while. I expected it to be good, but this movie really surprised me in the best way. It had great action, strong characters, and a lot of heart.
What made “Thunderbolts*” stand out to me was how it dealt with mental health. Instead of pretending like the characters were fine, the movie showed how much they were struggling. For example, John Walker wrestles with guilt and anger after failing to live up to the legacy of Captain America, clearly haunted by his past actions and is desperate to prove his worth.
Yelena Belova was and has been my favorite character. She has always been funny and strong, but this movie showed her softer, more emotional side. You can really see how much she is hurting from her sister’s death, like when she quietly breaks down after seeing a photo of her sister Natasha, and how desperately she is trying to heal.
I also really liked Robert “Bob” Reynolds (Sentry), who turned out to be one of the most interesting characters. He has this darker side called the Void, which felt like a powerful way to show what living with depression can be like. Reynolds’ journey was emotional and really showed that inner battles can be just as hard as physical ones.
One emotional example was when Reynolds isolated himself from the people trying to help him, believing he was too dangerous to be loved or trusted. This reflected how mental illness can cause someone to push others away, even when they desperately need support. His story showed that even the strongest heroes can feel powerless when facing the darkness within themselves.
Another thing I loved was how the Thunderbolts supported each other. They didn’t just fight enemies; they helped each other through the pain and fear of the past and present. That kind of teamwork felt deeper and more like family than the original Avengers ever did.
The emphasis of friendship was handled and executed beautifully in this movie. Belova and Reynolds had great chemistry, but it was strictly platonic, and I’m glad Marvel did not turn it into a forced romance. It showed how important and lifesaving close friendships can be, especially when you are going through hard times.
The message of the movie really hit close to home for me because it reminded me that being strong doesn’t mean hiding your struggles. Sometimes, the bravest thing a person can do is open up and let others help.
Overall, “Thunderbolts*” gave me everything I wanted and more. It had action, emotion, and a powerful message. I really hope Marvel continues to make movies like this because it has easily become one of my top Marvel movies of all time.
