Heed my words! The article you’re about to delve into is brimming with spoilers for the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe installment – the electrifying Thunderbolts*. This film, under the masterful direction of Jake Schreier, brings together some of the franchise’s most notorious misfits, who find themselves in a perilous predicament together. The stellar cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
What sets Thunderbolts* apart is its thoughtful approach to mental health. It takes characters from the MCU’s rogues gallery and antiheroes, offering them a chance to become heroes. But, this transformation comes with a hefty price – each character must confront their deepest, darkest fears and inner turmoil.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Dreyfus, compels these individuals together: Yelena Belova (Pugh), U.S. Agent/John Walker (Russell), Taskmaster/Antonia Dreykov (Kurylenko), Ghost/Ava Starr (John-Kamen). She manipulates them into thinking they must fight each other, with the goal of eliminating all of them, to hide her illegal operations and tidy up loose ends. Tragically for Valentina, only one perishes in this confrontation. Their survival then leads them to come across a seemingly timid young man named Bob (Pullman). However, it’s later revealed that he was the sole survivor of the “Sentry” project, an endeavor aimed at producing more supersoldiers.
After Valentina learns that Bob has gained powers, she deceives him into assuming the role of Sentry, not realizing his volatile mental state due to past issues. Teaming up with Bucky Barnes (Stan) and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (Harbour), this motley crew of outcasts embarks on a mission to thwart Valentina, and perhaps provide aid to Bob as well. Boasting an impressive ensemble and a wide array of characters, the film features one of the most intriguing casts in the MCU’s 17-year lifespan.
Now, let me present you with my top 10 picks from Thunderbolts*:
1. Bob (Sentry)
2. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
3. Bucky Barnes (Stan)
4. Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (Harbour)
5. Citizen V
6. MACH-1
7. Atlas
8. Fixer
9. Jolt
10. Ghost
*Please note that this ranking is subjective and based on my personal opinion.
10. Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster
Portrayed By Olga Kurylenko
Taskmaster possesses a heart-wrenching past within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Born as the daughter of General Dreykov, who oversaw the Red Room, she suffered severe injuries when Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) and Hawkeye (Clint Barton) attempted to assassinate her father in Budapest. Following this incident, Dreykov supposedly rescued Antonia by embedding technology into her brain, enabling her to mimic any combat partner’s fighting style. Subsequently, she was compelled to carry out his orders, just like the other Black Widows. Eventually, Natasha manages to liberate Antonia from the grip of the Red Room.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Antonia makes her reappearance following 2021’s Black Widow, but her screen time is regrettably brief. As previously stated, Antonia is dispatched to tidy up Valentina’s remaining issues, leading to confrontations with other characters. In one of these encounters, Antonia chooses not to harm Yelena, as she wasn’t instructed to do so. However, Ava shoots Antonia in the head instead. Unfortunately, due to limited use of Taskmaster in the movie, her impact on viewers is minimal.
9. Congressman Gary
Portrayed By Wendell Pierce
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Gary, portrayed by Wendell Pierce known for his role as Superman’s father, finds himself at odds with Valentina. He’s a congressman who plays a significant part in an impeachment proceeding that could oust Valentina from her position as the CIA director due to her association with the Sentry project. Additionally, Gary interacts with Bucky, a freshman representative in the House of Representatives within the Thunderbolts*.
Despite having a small impact on the storyline, Pierce significantly enhances his character’s memorability. He creates challenges for Val and occasionally pokes fun at Bucky, adding some humor. Compared to Taskmaster, Gary might lack in combat skills, but he spends more time on screen, thereby establishing a stronger connection with the overall plot.
8. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Portrayed By Julia Louis-Dreyfus
For some time now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has hinted at Valentina as a character resembling a sinister version of Nick Fury. Similar to the ex-head of S.H.I.E.L.D., Valentina serves as a government official who enlists extraordinary individuals. However, unlike Fury, Valentina is driven primarily by a thirst for power and often exploits those she recruits for her own ends. She has made appearances across the franchise, adopting a similar approach to Fury in an attempt to persuade these complex antiheroes to join forces with her.
| Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s MCU Appearances | |
|---|---|
| Production | Year |
| The Falcon and The Winter Soldier | 2021 |
| Black Widow | 2021 |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | 2022 |
| Thunderbolts* | 2025 |
In her most significant performance thus far, Louis-Dreyfus shines as she delights in portraying a morally ambiguous character. “Thunderbolts” serves as the culmination of years of development, where Valentina strives to maintain her power and authority at any cost, including sacrificing her operatives. When it’s revealed that Bob survived and gained powers, she swiftly adjusts her strategy, aiming to be recognized as the inventor of “Earth’s Mightiest Hero.” However, when this backfires, she claims credit for the Thunderbolts’ successful rescue mission.
Valentina demonstrates a complex nature; through Sentry’s empathetic powers, we witness how her father was brutally killed in her presence as a child. Although this doesn’t justify any of her actions, it suggests that her quest for power and control stemmed from the traumatic events of her childhood. This aspect also adds depth to the overall theme conveyed by Thunderbolts: the complexity of characters and their psychological backgrounds.
7. Mel
Portrayed By Geraldine Viswanathan
Mel, played by Geraldine Viswanathan, functions as Valentina’s assistant. While the details of her past are not extensively detailed, she appears to be a driven young woman who chose a career in government affairs out of a desire to uphold justice. Bucky notices Mel’s apprehension during Valentina’s impeachment trial, and he correctly intuits that she might present a vulnerability for her superior. Akin to Kate Bishop, she was relatively young when the Battle of New York transpired, and her belief in heroes such as the Avengers has remained largely unshaken.
In this story, Mel plays a significant role by deciding to assist Bucky in confronting Valentina. Although we don’t get too deep into Mel’s inner thoughts compared to Valentina, Viswanathan skillfully portrays her as a character that resonates with the audience. Despite making the questionable decision to save Valentina, it’s difficult not to sympathize with Mel given her circumstances. Overall, Mel’s character is convincingly complex and well-rounded.
6. Ava Starr/Ghost
Portrayed By Hannah John-Kamen
Introduced in Ant-Man & The Wasp (2018), Ghost is another character marked by tragedy. After a quantum incident claimed the lives of her parents, Ava acquired agonizing abilities that made her pass through solid objects. Later, she joined S.H.I.E.L.D., taking on the role of a covert agent. They equipped her with a confinement suit to halt her decline and led her to believe they would find a cure for her condition.
Realizing that Ghost had no plans to assist them, Ava decides to employ Hank Pym’s quantum lab to stabilize herself, which Ant-Man strongly opposes because it could risk Janet Van Dyne’s rescue. Unfortunately, she doesn’t succeed in this endeavor, but fortunately, Janet comes to her aid. It’s worth noting that Ava, or Ghost as we know her now, made her first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since her debut during her freshman year with the Thunderbolts* team. In this storyline, it appears that Ava has been working for Valentina and later joins the group after discovering she was sentenced to die by Valentina.
In Thunderbolts, Ghost may not have a deeply emotional journey like some other characters, but she does make redeeming decisions in the end. Notably, Ghost’s distinctive powerset contributes significantly to the film’s impressive action scenes. Given her intriguing backstory and combative flair, Ghost stands out as one of the most thrilling new entries to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
5. Bucky Barnes
Portrayed By Sebastian Stan
Bucky, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is arguably one of the most intricately emotional characters. Initially, he appears as Steve’s confident and charming friend in Captain America: The First Avenger. However, a disastrous fall leads him into Hydra’s clutches, where he was altered and mind-controlled, transforming him into the Winter Soldier. Over the years, under Hydra’s influence, he carried out vile acts without any self-control. What makes his situation even more heartbreaking is that he retains all memories of those atrocities, even after Steve manages to liberate him from Hydra’s grip. Post this, Bucky receives therapy, making restitution for his wrongdoings, and ultimately evolves into a true hero.
Despite this, Thunderbolts* begins with a Bucky who seems a bit directionless. He’s taken up the role of a congressman, aiming to reform the system from within, but he grows disillusioned when the red tape of politics restricts his actions. Consequently, he breaks the law once more, this time to unmask Valentina. In doing so, he unwittingly recruits Yelena, John, Ava, and Alexei to assist him in this endeavor.
In “Thunderbolts,” Bucky doesn’t take center stage as a solo character. Instead, his role is to mentor Yelena and others who haven’t experienced the same healing journey as him. As always, Stan delivers an entertaining performance, and Bucky performs some impressive stunts. However, it’s important to note that in this film, he doesn’t receive as much character development as the other team members.
4. Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian
Portrayed By David Harbour
Red Guardian is quite a straightforward character, often acting as a goof but genuinely caring for his daughter. However, Alexei carries a complex past filled with regrets due to questionable decisions made in the service of Russia. While *Thunderbolts* doesn’t delve deeply into this, it also doesn’t sugarcoat it. In *Black Widow*, we saw Alexei express remorse for allowing his daughters, Yelena and Natasha, to be manipulated by Dreykov. Consequently, his relationship with Yelena is and will forever remain complex due to these past events.
In the film “Thunderbolts“, Alexei’s character development unfolds in two layers. On the exterior, he appears to be a disillusioned ex-superhero yearning for his past glories. Beneath this facade, there lies a profound sadness and desire for closeness, particularly with his surviving daughter. This is evident through his quick cleanup of the house upon her arrival at the doorstep, and his immediate readiness to protect her when he perceives danger. Furthermore, he wholeheartedly encourages Yelena in all her endeavors. Despite his flaws, such as an inflated ego, Alexei exhibits a charming blend of love and remorse that endears him to the audience.
3. John Walker/U.S. Agent
Portrayed By Wyatt Russell
Without a doubt, U.S. Agent stands out as the most contentious figure within the team. In “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” he was selected as Steve Rogers’ successor as Captain America, primarily due to his impressive military background. However, his moral compass pales in comparison to his predecessor.
In a highly publicized and violent incident, John was found guilty of killing an unarmed combatant. This led to his dismissal from the military and a significant tarnishing of his reputation. By the time the story unfolds in “Thunderbolts,” he is grappling with the emotional fallout resulting from this failure.
After no longer holding the title of Captain America, U.S. Agent resorts to taking mercenary jobs, but he still carries an air of arrogance about him. However, throughout the Thunderbolts storyline, this exterior starts to crack. John’s marriage ends, and he loses custody of his son. Alongside his shortcomings as Captain America, these personal losses hit him hard. This mirrors John and Alexei, both former heroes and fathers who have seemingly let down their children – a theme that the movie subtly explores, such as when John advises Yelena to leave Alexei alone.
In a striking moment, John experiences a vivid memory of himself brooding over his flaws while neglecting his sobbing baby son. Emerging from this vision, he finds himself precariously near an edge, suggesting underlying thoughts of self-harm. Despite John’s arrogance and tendency to belittle others, there is a complexity to him beyond mere rudeness. Significantly, he ultimately proves valuable to the team. U.S. Agent might not be a charming character, but his portrayal is skillful and Russell delivers a convincing performance.
2. Bob Reynolds/Sentry/The Void
Portrayed By Lewis Pullman
Translating Sentry into a more natural and easy-to-read language:
Sentry is a challenging character for filmmakers due to several factors. His powers are complex and hard to grasp, making it tough to both explain and show them effectively on screen. Yet, the most critical issue lies in Bob’s portrayal of schizophrenia. Historically, movies have found it difficult to depict mental illness sensitively, and Sentry is one of the first characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with such a complex health condition.
However, against all odds, The Thunderbolts* manages to present Bob’s struggles with mental illness in a compassionate and well-written manner.
*Thunderbolts is a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe.
In the film, Bob first appears when Valentina’s operatives clash, unintentionally freeing him. He quickly forms a bond with Yelena due to her protective instincts towards him. Initially, Bob seems unassuming, friendly, and notably devoid of superpowers. However, he can summon people’s most dreadful memories. Following a failed escape, Bob sacrifices himself, but later finds out that he possesses powers of flight and indestructibility. Regrettably, Valentina exploits his desire to become an Avengers-level hero.
Because of his delicate mental state and the compassionate aspect of his abilities, Bob experiences instability, with an additional persona known as the Void dominating him. The Void lurks around New York City, ensnaring individuals into re-experiencing their pain. Yelena bravely tackles her past traumas and manages to penetrate the Void to reach Bob. With the aid of the Thunderbolts, Bob triumphs over his inner demons and rescues everyone else. The tale of his mental battle resonates deeply, and Pullman skillfully portrays Bob’s vulnerability in a way that makes one yearn to comfort him.
1. Yelena Belova
Portrayed By Florence Pugh
While “Thunderbolts” boasts a multi-character lineup, it’s clear that Yelena takes center stage. Debuted in “Black Widow,” this former assassin is the younger sister of Natasha, who continues to grapple with her passing. Working for Valentina, she yearns for something more meaningful. Lacking a true sense of purpose, Yelena yearns intensely to experience emotions beyond pain.
In the beginning of “Thunderbolts,” Yelena grapples with an emptiness within her, which serves as the main struggle for her character throughout the movie. Although Valentina and the Void pose external challenges that Yelena must overcome, she resolves these perils by addressing her inner void. Notably, she instructs Bob to suppress his emotions early on. A significant scene occurs when she confesses to her father that she’s struggling and requires his support, a moment powerfully portrayed by Pugh, revealing the depth of Yelena’s mental health struggles.
Following this, the peak of the movie finds Yelena bravely stepping into peril, addressing her past turmoil due to her deep concern for Bob’s wellbeing above all else. Her leadership stirs the rest of the Thunderbolts to follow suit. Moreover, it is Yelena who discerns that Bob cannot triumph through violence with the Void, instead offering him the affection and encouragement necessary to conquer his suffering. In addition, she understands the detriment of suppressing one’s deepest emotions.
Yelena’s character trajectory is impactful due to her reliance on inner fortitude, a quality that the entire team acknowledges. The Thunderbolts* are constructed around characters who discover better paths, and none embody this concept more profoundly than Yelena. Let’s hope the Marvel Cinematic Universe carries forward this theme with future appearances of Yelena and the New Avengers.
*Note: Thunderbolts is a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe.
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2025-05-04 22:38