“Thunderbolts” (2025) – Sebastian Stan’s Captivating Comic-Book Blockbuster About Teamwork

Director: Jake Schreirer

Starring: Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Sebastian Stan

‘A Comic-Book Classic’

Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like David Harbour. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Harbour has produced memorable movies. Whether it’s bold political leaders, corrupt gangsters or military officers, Harbour has portrayed several strong comic-book characters. Arguably, Harbour’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong presence. He is one of those rare actors which has always had the aptitudes for stealing the show in supporting roles in movies. Even when he is given limited screen time, Harbour hasn’t ever failed to leave a lasting impression. By his abilities to take risks in his career, Harbour has become an actor about whom audiences care. Although he is best known for his role in MCU comic book movies, Harbour has proven that he can easily excel in every genre. Throughout an illustrious career, Harbour has made many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.

Now, Harbour is back on the big-screen and his strengths as an actor are clearly evident in his latest movie “Thunderbolts”. Released in 2025, Jake Schreirer’s movie offered a strong tribute to an iconic superhero team. Packed with breathtaking production design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by David Harbour, who portrays a comic-book hero facing the painful consequences of aging. Although “Thunderbolts” is an engaging comic book blockbuster, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, lacking a compelling ending. Nevertheless, it offers groundbreaking entertainment that will satisfy fans of comic-book movies.

Following the tragic events of “Black Widow”, “Thunderbolts” captures superheroes facing sorrow. Florence Pugh plays Yelena Belova, a feminist heroine haunted by death of a loved one causing trauma. Haunted by the death of sister Natasha (Scarlett Johansson), Yelena seeks an escape from demanding profession. However, Yelena’s life forever changes when she is assigned a new mission which involves immense danger. Assisted by her father Alexei (David Harbour), Yelena assembled a team of avengers seeking to save the world from grave danger. Forming a strong bond with her team, Yelena is determined to accomplish her dream. As a new threat places her life in grave danger, Yelena questions whether it’s possible for her to overcome disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Yelena questions whether it’s possible for her to overcome trauma.

Jake Schreirer is a newcomer towards stories of superhero teams. Before he had directed “Thunderbolts”, Schreirer had never made a movie about superheroes before. A renowned indie filmmaker, Schreirer was known for his movies in the romantic comedy genre. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of superhero teams facing tragedy but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, Schreirer captures tensions which a superhero team is facing. Recalling Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers”, Schreirer effectively uses montages to capture tensions between a superhero team assembling. For instance, montages enhance the team introduction scene. During this tense scene, Yelena struggles to get along well with her team members during their first meeting in tension. Using montages, Schreirer captures painful hardship superhero teams go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” suggests, montages elevate films about queer cowboys. Nevertheless, it works immensely on this film. Through stunning visuals, Schreirer captures tensions that superhero teams are commonly facing.

Another admirable aspect of “Thunderbolts” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it is arguably the best movie Marvel has ever made. Schreirer effectively stages action sequences capturing bonds between superhero teams. Throughout the movie, Schreirer stages engaging action sequences capturing bonds between heroes in a mission. For instance, action enhances the building raid scene. During this unforgettable scene, Yelena and her team face tension when their space is invaded by FBI agents causing a disaster. Through powerful action sequences, Schreirer creates comic-book superheroes that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ryan Lotts’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which superheroes on a doomed mission bear. Through phenomenal production design, Schreirer captures lives of superheroes that decline.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Thunderbolts” is a comic-book film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture tense breakups of teams. Amidst all the engaging action, the film finds time for strong character development. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Yelena bids tearful farewell to teams on her final mission. One appreciates silence that captures superheroes facing tension. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most superhero movies are driven by loud sounds. As Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road” did suggest clearly, silence elevates films about doomed marriages. Scott Cooper’s “Black Mass” suggested that silence elevates films about mobsters. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Schreirer captures the lives of superhero teams facing a price to pay.

One appreciates astonishing performances.

David Harbour delivers one of his finest career performances as Alexei. Harbour first earned appreciation for playing men trapped in broken marriages in sad dramas. With “Thunderbolts”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a superhero facing painful consequences of aging causing tragedy but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, bold and emotional in his most iconic role. Harbour has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Thunderbolts” exhibited his strength as an actor. Through spellbinding expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a superhero. It’s a strong performance from one of the greatest actors working today.

Florence Pugh is fantastic as a grief-stricken woman haunted by tragic death of her sister. Pugh has always excelled at playing heroes under stress, and “Thunderbolts” showcased her strengths as an actress. Whether she is seeking to reconnect with a team that she finds inspiring or seeking to overcome team tensions that are terrifying, Pugh uses strong body language to create a commemorated heroine which is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in Hollywood today.

The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciations. Sebastian Stan is spectacular, bringing tension to a superhero seeking to enter politics running a nation. Lewis Pullman is fantastic, bringing tension to a superhero unaware of his secret powers causing tension. Lastly, Julia Louis-Dreyfus merits appreciation. As a villainous political leader, she brings tension to the movie.

Although “Thunderbolts” is a captivating comic book blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor drawback to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Schreirer’s decision to integrate political subplots into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Therefore, scenes focusing on Valentina’s court hearings aren’t as engaging as journeys that the thunderbolts are facing. Moreover, the film lacks a powerful ending. It’s an abrupt conclusion without any satisfying resolution. Comic-book movies often thrive based on their endings, and in this sense “Thunderbolts” falls short.

Nevertheless, fans of David Harbour will enjoy “Thunderbolts” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating comic-book classic, it honours an actor that is iconic.

A captivating portrait of a commemorated superhero team assembling to overcome villains that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.

4/5 stars