Here Come the Thunderbolts (New Avengers)

Thunderbolts* [2025]

Film

Straight out of the gate, Thunderbolts* lets you know that things are going to be different. Of course, this is a welcome breathe of fresh air as the past six years of Marvel films have been-checks notes-ass. Opening on a Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) monologue about finding purpose in her meandering life, especially after all of the events of the prior MCU stuff, she sets a grounded tone of our "heroes" that often doesn't come until the second-act. We're moving things along I see! But, Belova's words carry some substantial weight behind them as we move forward in Thunderbolts*, which turns out to be a surprisingly solid new entry in the MCU. While there are moments of weakness, as all heroes have, Marvel's gaggle of anti-heroes come together to deliver rousing moments, terrific emotional depth, and ultimately, make the best Marvel film in I'm not even sure how many years. Sure, it's a low bar, but make no mistake, Thunderbolts* mostly walks the fine line of action, entertainment, humor, and dissecting mature topics that resonate through all ages.

Yelena opens with her monologue as she's dealing with the emotional weight of losing her sister (Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame), while working as a "cleaner" for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Who just so happens to be under Congressional investigation and therefore could really use Yelena's skills in deleting evidence of any wrong-doing. But during one mission, Yelena runs into a number of fellow "cleaners"-John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and a seemingly ordinary guy named Bob (Lewis Pullman). As they come to the realization that they themselves are the evidence Fontaine means to have eliminated, this rag-tag band of villains works together to escape, and confront en even greater evil surfacing. But for that they're going to need the help of Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Red Guardian (David Harbour).

The introduction of these characters, many of whom have likely been forgotten due to the vast web of nonsensical MCU movies and shows, takes far too long to build up. Not to mention, Fontaine is too dull of a villain to push the narrative forward, even after the "team's" revelation of being assigned one another for cleanup duty. But once they're on the move, joined by Bucky and Red Guardian, Thunderbolts* begins to get its feet under itself, running towards a tremendous buildup of the big bad. A villain whose whole identity is centered around the very depression Yelena is experiencing, making it not only one of the most relatable villains, but a comprehensive thematic choice that allows director Jake Schreier's film to have much more emotional depth than recent Marvel films.

Unfortunately, that's where most of the detour from the Marvel formula rejoins the main road. Visually speaking, Thunderbolts* finds itself with the same desaturated and dark color palette that has been plaguing the MCU for years now. Shades of gray and brown are smattered throughout scenes, providing flat and bland aesthetics, and the lighting doesn't get too much better. Understandably so, there are darker scenes due to the powers at play, but even outside of these voids I'll call them, the lighting is drab or nonexistent. Say what you will about how bad Eternals was, but at least it was visually interesting.

Even with the mature discussion around mental health-which carries some serious weight when your heroes are the ones battling-the story lacks the high stakes that create true tension. While the ending is a welcome departure from the usual CGI-smash-fest, diving deep into Yelena's and other's psyches, the final resolution felt a little too corny. All things considered though, Schreier's film is a more nuanced entry in the MCU than others in recent memory, and if Thunderbolts* marks the end of Marvel’s recent slump, and Fantastic Four: First Steps builds on its best ideas, we might finally be entering a new MCU worth caring about. We just might, hear me out, be so back.

Froth

There's only one proper pairing here, and it is Future Primitive Brewing's Thunderpussy. In direct contrast with Thunderbolts*, Thunderpussy is bursting with bright color, which turns into delicious peach, orange, and apricot flavors that are too good to be true. Its bitterness is what I can only describe as low-key, pulling back on the sweetness and citrus flavors just a tad. Making the beer a much more approachable and well-balanced NW Hazy IPA. It's bright, resinous or dank properties make it a nice uplifting companion to Schreier's film which can bring a nice even keel to the whole experience. Both emotionally, and visually, but no matter what you'll be able to enjoy both crafts as Thunderpussy and Thunderbolts* are both worth experiencing, and more importantly, feeling.