Thunderbolts*

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Thunderbolts*

Everyone deserves a second shot.

20252 h 07 min12A

(notes for full review on the FilmFile podcast when myself and Lee will discuss our thoughts on the film in more detail – Episode 256 – releasing 7 May 2025 on all your favorite podcast services)

With a visual style much more grounded than previous MCU outings, and a post-trauma mental health focus to the plot, on paper you’d think this would not be fun, but you’d be wrong.

The cast of broken characters are flung together fluidly in the first half, before working more as a team for their own survival in the second, led by an as always excellent performance by Pugh.

The action is slick and wonderfully choreographed, with minimum use of edits and cuts. An early corridor fight shot from an overhead camera sets the style, and the fluid and steady camerawork throughout latter action beats is consistently impressive.

Thunderbolts* is in the upper tier of MCU offerings, with a grounded and deeper story balanced with some wit and humour (but not overdone in the usual MCU manner).

All of that said without mentioning Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina, who is absolutely eating up every moment on screen as the manipulating antagonist in the background.

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