Florence Pugh’s Thunderbolts* is the Greatest Action Sleepers of the 2020s

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These days, we see so many sequels and franchise movies that truly original films often get overlooked. People aren’t as eager to rush to the cinema, particularly when movies become available on streaming services just weeks later. This means some excellent films, including one of the best action movies of recent years, don’t get the attention they deserve. Despite having a lot going for it, Marvel’s * didn’t perform well in theaters.

The film itself wasn’t the problem; rather, audiences are tired of the endless stream of similar team-up movies Marvel keeps releasing – it’s become almost like a parody of itself, reminiscent of the show The Boys. Thunderbolts was Marvel’s take on Suicide Squad and should have had its moment. While it played it a bit safer than James Gunn’s version, it was a fun, action-packed movie that finally gave a beloved character the spotlight.

Yelena Finally Got the Spotlight in Thunderbolts*

A significant part of the Marvel universe, Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), surprisingly never received the spotlight she deserved. Though she had a complex backstory in the comics, her potential wasn’t fully explored in the movies, and tragically, she was killed off before getting a chance to star in her own film.

Although it came out in 2019, the movie Black Widow didn’t generate much excitement. This was due to a combination of factors, including the growing popularity of streaming services which have impacted movie theaters. Despite not getting the attention it deserved and receiving some criticism, Black Widow was a film fans had eagerly anticipated.

I was really blown away by Black Widow! It didn’t just show us the Red Room, where Black Widows are trained, but it also introduced Natasha’s sister, Yelena. The movie was incredibly moving, especially the themes of found family, and Florence Pugh was absolutely perfect as the new Black Widow. It’s frustrating though, because even with a film like this, it feels like Marvel still isn’t fully investing in its female characters.

Yelena Belova has only had minor roles so far, mainly in projects connected to the Marvel universe, like the Disney+ series Hawkeye. However, she’s set to star in her own team-up movie in 2025. Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Yelena was crucial to the success of these films, with the story depending heavily on her ability to deliver emotionally powerful scenes.

Six years after the controversial death of Natasha, Yelena was able to begin processing her grief in a surprisingly intense movie. Even after all this time, she still deeply mourned Natasha’s loss, and this grief was central to the film’s story. Following a pivotal choice, Yelena continued working for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, taking on increasingly dangerous secret missions.

Yelena felt disconnected from everything, and her relationship with others was strained as she struggled to cope with the loss of Natasha. Things changed when she discovered Valentina, a CIA director, had targeted her as an enemy. Valentina set a dangerous trap, not just for Yelena, but for several others considered troublesome and easily sacrificed. This shared ordeal brought Yelena closer to US Agent, Ghost, and Bucky, all while the Avengers were disbanded.

The action was the main draw, especially as this unlikely team stepped up as the world’s – or rather, New York’s – last hope. While Thunderbolts might have seemed like a smaller-scale Avengers movie, it also had a surprising amount of emotional depth alongside all the action.

Thunderbolts* Was a Touching Exploration of Grief

Not every superhero team has been a success, and some have fallen short, making the challenge of creating a new one even greater. While previous Avengers movies weren’t perfect, Thunderbolts aimed to learn from those mistakes. This group of heroes wasn’t brought together by a shared desire to do good, but by the difficult experiences they’d all survived.

The characters were all struggling with personal problems, which made the movie more emotionally impactful. One character, Yelena, was still grieving her sister and hadn’t found a healthy way to cope. While she leaned on her friend Alexei for support, he couldn’t fully understand the depth of her pain. The film realistically portrayed her descent into alcoholism as a way of dealing with her grief.

Joining the Thunderbolts offered Yelena a path to recovery, just like her new teammates. She found herself working alongside US Agent, Ghost, and Bob – all individuals originally created as part of a larger, destructive plan. Their only hope for survival was to unite, and doing so could have finally resolved their personal issues. Surprisingly, the team found genuine healing through their newfound friendship.

The newest member of the group faced the biggest challenges. Having struggled to find his place in life, he volunteered for an experimental treatment – one that, while not as extreme as depicted in comic books, was deeply moving. Bob lived with a split personality, and each side of him possessed unique abilities. The current Bob was incredibly powerful, similar to Superman, but his other self, known as The Void, was much more sinister.

Bob struggled with a deep depression that gradually changed who he was. His illness felt like a consuming emptiness, trapping him in a self-made nightmare. Things looked bleak, but thankfully, the Thunderbolts stepped in and became the supportive, loving family he desperately needed, offering a path towards healing.

Instead of a typical, empty action-packed boss battle, the team helped Bob confront his painful past. This emotional scene involved the Thunderbolts entering Bob’s mind to relive his most difficult memories. He could only overcome his trauma by retreating to a secure, comforting space within his own mind.

Throughout the story, each character confronted past traumas and the ways those experiences were hindering their growth. They realized that accepting and processing their pain was essential for moving forward. While horror often explores grief, this particular story used it in a compelling way. It took the standard action movie and gave it a surprisingly emotional core.

Marvel Should Have Bet on the Thunderbolts

Despite receiving positive reviews – earning an 88% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the movie didn’t perform well in theaters. This highlights that box office numbers aren’t a reliable measure of a film’s quality anymore. The biggest disappointment with Thunderbolts is that those involved clearly lacked confidence in it.

Although Marvel movies often take liberties with the comics they’re based on, the Thunderbolts film felt particularly different from its origins. Fans were especially let down by how the character of the Thunderbolts’ well-known leader was handled, despite a memorable cameo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Ultimately, the movie didn’t quite capture the essence of what makes the Thunderbolts unique.

The film’s ending explained the asterisk after the title Thunderbolts – it wasn’t what it seemed. The name actually came from a sports team Yelena played on as a child. The team’s real purpose was to eventually become the New Avengers, a decision that caused some disagreement.

Marvel has started many projects, but some haven’t worked out. A particular idea was hinted at for a while, but nothing has come of it. Meanwhile, Sam Wilson seems to be building a new team of Avengers, which complicates things. Yelena and her group deserve their own team, but they don’t seem to be the Avengers people are expecting.

This group of flawed characters would thrive in a world where teams aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. The Thunderbolts concept was so strong as a movie that the twist revealing they weren’t actually the Thunderbolts felt unnecessary. Both an Avengers-level team and the Thunderbolts have a place in the Marvel universe. These characters are often outcasts for a reason, and Marvel should have embraced a team that wasn’t always heroic.

Marvel is stuck in a rut and needs to try new things instead of repeating old formulas. Bringing back familiar characters feels like a last-ditch effort to re-engage fans, but true success will only come with innovation. Thunderbolts showed promise by being unique, and it was a mistake to try and force it into the mold of another Avengers movie.

Maybe the movie would have done better in theaters if different choices had been made. Marvel is currently changing, and it needs to be bold. This is the moment to focus on lesser-known characters and take some chances.

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2026-01-19 03:08