‘Thunderbolts’ Review: Action, Laughs & Just a Bit Too Much Runway

Marvel’s Thunderbolts delivers exactly what fans have come to expect. There’s high-stakes action, snappy one-liners, and a team-up of morally grey anti-heroes that keeps things entertaining from start to finish… well, almost. Read our thoughts on the film ahead of its release.

From the opening sequence, Thunderbolts wastes no time reminding us that Marvel knows how to command the screen. The combat choreography is tight, the visual effects are polished, and the film’s pacing — for the most part — keeps the adrenaline pumping. Florence Pugh’s Yelena once again steals every scene she’s in with her deadpan humor and no-nonsense takedowns, while Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes continues to evolve with depth, wit, and a quiet sense of leadership.

The unexpected standout? Wyatt Russell’s John Walker. He brings a chaotic energy that somehow works, adding layers of humor and unpredictability to the team dynamic. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine adds just the right amount of mystery and manipulation to keep the audience enthralled.

What Thunderbolts does best is walk the line between chaos and camaraderie. The banter feels organic, and the plot twists — especially midway through — shake up the MCU in ways fans will be theorizing about for months. The reveal about the “new Avengers” setup is a satisfying breadcrumb for what’s next in Phase 5, making this film feel like an honest pivot point.

But let’s be real — Thunderbolts is long. Clocking in over two hours, the final act drags just when we expect the momentum to spike. The climax begins with promise, but ends with a slower, more emotional resolution that feels… underwhelming. The film literally ends with a hug — and while emotional payoffs are important, that particular choice felt like a writing-room compromise rather than a strong narrative finish.

Yes, we appreciated the shift in storyline and how it allowed each character to confront their pasts. But after all the high-octane buildup, moral ambiguity, and trauma porn, the hug felt like a tonal mismatch — more like a “we’ll talk later” than a mic drop.

Still, Thunderbolts is worth the watch. It’s packed with the Marvel magic we know and love: thrilling action, memorable characters, and just enough comedy to keep it grounded. It may not stick the landing perfectly, but it sure gives us plenty to look forward to.

Check out the trailer below and catch the film for yourself in theaters May 2.