‘Thunderbolts*’ First Reactions: Florence Pugh Shines in Marvel’s Grittiest Film Yet

Marvel’s latest gamble, Thunderbolts, is proving to be more than just a curiosity—it might be the tonal reset fans have been waiting for. Full reviews are rolling in, and the consensus? It’s a darker, more emotionally grounded MCU entry, one that places its trust in its characters rather than spectacle. Early buzz painted the picture of something special, and critics seem to agree.

Leading the charge is Florence Pugh, reprising her role as Yelena Belova. Her performance is drawing consistent praise, with Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture calling Thunderbolts “some of Marvel’s darkest material to date,” and adding that it “very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back.”

The film brings together a misfit team of antiheroes, including Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell), all under the looming shadow of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Their mission? Survive a deadly setup and confront the traumas that led them here.

Film writer Emily Murray from Total Film described the movie as “easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time,” emphasizing the emotional resonance: “Has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with. A tear was shed. Florence Pugh in particular superb, just walks away with it.”

Thunderbolts takes a break from the MCU’s usual polish, instead leaning into imperfections—something that seems to be working in its favor. Rolling Stone describe them as an off-brand Avengers that can get things back on track “As the MCU delivers a movie that channels its glory days and finally gets back on track.”

Directed by Jake Schreier and scored by Oscar-nominated band Son Lux, Thunderbolts leans more arthouse than action flick at times, unsurprising, given its cast and crew’s A24 credentials. It may not be the cleanest MCU film, but it’s one with teeth—and for many critics, that’s exactly what the franchise has been missing.

Thunderbolts hits UK cinemas on May 1 and opens in the US on May 2. Watch the trailer below.

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