Film Review: Thunderbolts

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name) introduces the next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on a fresh set of anti-heroes and reformed characters who take on the mantle of being the New Avengers.

Story, Screenplay & Dialogues

CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) faces imminent impeachment for her illegal covert activities. To save herself, she manipulates the Thunderbolts team Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), and Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko) into fighting each other in a secret compound, essentially sending them to their deaths along with all evidence of her crimes.

When Ava Starr kills Antonia Dreykov, Bob (Lewis Pullman) unexpectedly emerges, later revealed to be part of de Fontaine’s top-secret experiment. The surviving members discover her true intentions and manage to escape.

Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) steps in, captures the trio, and realizes they could serve as critical evidence against de Fontaine. Aligning with them, he leads the charge into the former Avengers Tower in New York, only to uncover that Bob has been turned into the powerful Sentry, whose unstable dark alter-ego, Void, soon unleashes havoc. Yelena takes it upon herself to stop Void but at what cost?

Written by Eric Pearson, the story blends Marvel-style espionage intrigue with high-stakes superhero action. The narrative slows down in places, but the long, thrilling climax redeems the pace and provides a memorable finish. The screenplay (by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo) is engaging, packed with twists, betrayals, and shifting alliances. The thrill quotient remains consistently high, and the sense of mystery around Bob/Sentry/Void is well handled.

Performances

• Florence Pugh is exceptional as Yelena Belova, carrying both wit and emotional heft. She is magnetic in every scene.

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus delivers a powerful turn as de Fontaine, mixing political cunning with villainous edge.

• Lewis Pullman is outstanding as Bob/Sentry/Void, skillfully portraying both vulnerability and menace. His transformation is one of the film’s biggest highlights.

• Sebastian Stan gives a solid, dependable performance as Bucky Barnes.

• Wyatt Russell (John Walker) and Olga Kurylenko (Antonia Dreykov) hold their ground well.

• Hannah John-Kamen does justice to Ava Starr, showcasing her inner conflict.

• David Harbour is a delight as Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), bringing comic relief and paternal warmth.

• Geraldine Viswanathan (as Mel, Fontaine’s assistant), Chris Bauer, Wendell Edward Pierce, and Charlotte Ann Tucker (in a touching cameo as the rescued child) all add meaningful support.

Direction

Jake Schreier’s direction balances character-driven storytelling with Marvel’s signature spectacle. He succeeds in making Thunderbolts a team-driven film with heart, humour, and high-stakes action. His control over the tonal shifts — from political thriller to all-out superhero battle is commendable.

Music & Technical Aspects

• Background Score: Son Lux’s music is haunting and pulsating, intensifying both action and suspense sequences.

• Cinematography: Andrew Droz Palermo frames the action with visual flair and a grounded sense of realism.

• Production Design: Grace Yun’s work is lavish, especially in the Avengers Tower sequences.

• Editing: Angela Catanzaro and Harry Yoon keep the narrative tight and sharp, with only slight dips in pacing.

• Dubbing: The Hindi version is well-executed and enhances accessibility for local audiences.

Final Verdict

Thunderbolts is a gripping and entertaining Marvel chapter that blends political intrigue, flawed heroes, and high-voltage action. While it has minor pacing issues, the climactic showdown and strong performances especially by Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman — make it a worthy MCU addition.

Box Office (India): The film will attract Marvel loyalists and urban multiplex audiences. Despite not having the star power of Avengers, its ensemble cast and Marvel branding should ensure a respectable run.