In the film “Thunderbolts,” many viewers anticipated that some of the minor antihero characters might meet their demise prior to the end credits due to the looming threat of the Void, a malevolent version of superhero Sentry. As Marvel Studios started promoting the movie, fans even began wagering on which character would be the first to perish. The absence of Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) in certain scenes of the “Thunderbolts” trailer fueled this speculation, as did Hannah John-Kamen’s hints about an unexpected death in the film. However, despite these strong indications, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe offering still finds a way to deliver an intriguing twist with its most obvious secret.
WARNING: Spoilers below for Thunderbolts*
In the beginning of “Thunderbolts,” it’s revealed that Yelena (Florence Pugh) continues to work for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a seasoned field agent tasked with dismantling clandestine labs belonging to the questionable corporation, OXE. As the story unfolds, it’s discovered that Valentina was previously one of the heads of OXE and had been exploiting laboratories in under-regulated nations for sinister purposes: conducting experiments on humans with the ultimate goal of creating a new superhero she could manipulate. With Congress launching an inquiry into Valentina, she resorts to extreme measures, eliminating any evidence that could potentially lead to her dismissal as CIA director or her incarceration.
In an underground hideout, Valentina orders Yelena on her final assignment: tracking Ghost (John-Kamen), a thief, to a specific facility, discovering what she intends to steal, and neutralizing her. Upon arrival, Yelena realizes they aren’t the only ones present; John Walker (Wyatt Russell), known as the U.S. Agent, has been dispatched to eliminate Yelena. The plot thickens as Taskmaster is also on the scene, pursuing Walker. This confrontational scenario exposes Valentina’s true objectives and ultimately decides Taskmaster’s fate.
How Does Taskmaster Die in Thunderbolts*?
In a fierce confrontation among four highly skilled assassins, Valentina’s secret hideout transforms into a lethal battleground. Here, these assassins strive to accomplish their missions while simultaneously protecting themselves. Amidst the intense fight, Ghost utilizes her phasing power to catch Taskmaster off guard, fatally shooting her. This cold-blooded act is startling, as it bears no connection to the Void. Instead, Ghost’s killing of Taskmaster underscores that Valentina serves as the true adversary in Thunderbolts, as she has dispatched all her former agents to the same location, intending to eliminate them and conceal her OXE operations from Congress.
Leading up to “Thunderbolts”, there was a strong belief among us that Taskmaster would perish. Even before the cast for “Avengers: Doomsday” was revealed, some speculated whether Bucky might make a self-sacrificing move to halt the Void, thereby having a significant exit from the MCU. Yet, few could anticipate that Taskmaster would be slain by Ghost in their very first encounter, in such an understated manner. Consequently, Taskmaster’s demise is one of those unexpected cinematic moments that underscore the significance of the journey over the destination, as the way Taskmaster dies is more startling than the realization that she’s genuinely deceased.
As a true cinephile, I must say that the demise of Taskmaster in this narrative serves as a pivotal moment for Ghost, setting her on a journey towards atonement. You see, although Ghost has claimed countless lives before, she harbors deep guilt upon learning about Valentina’s scheme. The realization dawns on her that she became an unwitting instrument in the concealment of Valentina’s wrongdoings by ending Taskmaster’s life, a life that, while not entirely blameless, did not warrant such a fate. In essence, Ghost finds herself grappling with the weighty consequences of being manipulated and taking a life that should have been spared.
Yelena Belova and John Walker found their paths to redemption unfolding in “Thunderbolts”, with Yelena featuring prominently in “Hawkeye” and John in the finale of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”. Ghost, however, required a little more persuasion to embrace heroism. Therefore, Taskmaster’s demise serves as a crucial narrative tool, inspiring Ghost to collaborate with others in order to thwart Valentina. Moreover, this high-octane battle scene offers MCU fans one of the most thrilling actions sequences of the Multiversal Saga and an unexpected twist that challenges viewers’ assumptions about a seemingly inevitable death.
Thunderbolts* is now available in theaters.
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2025-05-01 23:19