‘Thunderbolts*’ first reactions praise “best MCU film in a long while”

Apr 23, 2025 - 12:32

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‘Thunderbolts*’ first reactions praise “best MCU film in a long while”

Cast of Thunderbolts*

The first reactions to Thunderbolts* have hailed it as the “best MCU film in a long while”.

READ MORE: Marvel movie order: a definitive viewing chronology for the MCU (including Disney+ shows)

The Marvel film sees a group of anti-heroes banding together to take out Sentry, a super powered being that’s virtually indestructible. Making up the team are Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes (aka The Winter Soldier), Ghost, Taskmaster and US Agent.

It stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Wyatt Russell and more. The film also marks the 36th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The European premiere of the movie was held at London’s Leicester Square last night (April 22), with many critics praising the latest Marvel entry.

“That was pretty great! A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront,” wrote Amon Warmann, contributing editor and columnist at Empire magazine. “Florence Pugh brings the heart, David Harbour is consistently funny, & Lewis Pullman might be the stealth MVP. Best MCU film in a long while!”

#Thunderbolts*: That was pretty great! A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront. Florence Pugh brings the heart, David Harbour is consistently funny, & Lewis Pullman might be the stealth MVP. Best MCU film in a long while! pic.twitter.com/wIGfi5LGH6
— Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) April 22, 2025

Emily Murray, who writes for Total Film, also said it was “one of the best MCU movies in a long time,” adding: “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.”

Well #Thunderbolts is easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time (and maybe one of my new personal faves). 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 pic.twitter.com/U7AzBgGZMl
— Emily Murray (@EmilyVMurray) April 22, 2025

Jacob Fisher, owner of Discussing Film described the film, as “truly fantastic”.

He added: “The cast has electric chemistry with each other (Florence Pugh & Lewis Pullman are the standouts) and the action sequences are very strong. But most of all, the film’s story hit me like a ton of bricks, it’s bold, important & so well-written.”

THUNDERBOLTS* is truly fantastic, the cast has electric chemistry with each other (Florence Pugh & Lewis Pullman are the standouts) and the action sequences are very strong.
But most of all, the film’s story hit me like a ton of bricks, it’s bold, important & so well-written pic.twitter.com/dWPYSzBEJl
— Jacob (@JacobFisherDF) April 22, 2025

“Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel,” critic Brandon Norwood said. “Wish we’d gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry, too.”

Shocked how good THUNDERBOLTS* is. Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel that has us for a decade plus. Wish we'd gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry too.#Thunderbolts* #ThunderboltsMovie pic.twitter.com/LmXtiivKKV
— Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets) April 22, 2025

Film critic Mia Pflüger said that the film “introduces a new era for Marvel” and it is “the most humane film filled with allowing their anti hero being flawed, broken and regretful. Sebastian Stan has an absolute scene stealing moment, yet Florence Pugh shows she is the true lead of the new generation and team.”

#Thunderbolts* introduces a new era for Marvel, the most humane film filled with allowing their anti hero being flawed, broken and regretful. Sebastian Stan has an absolute scene stealing moment, yet Florence Pugh shows she is the true lead of the new generation and team. pic.twitter.com/laTDyRVCkr
— Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) April 22, 2025

Next Best Picture editor in chief, Matt Neglia also praised Pugh’s performance and wrote that Thunderbolts* is “some of Marvel’s darkest material to date”.

He added: “This may be a team-up film, but it very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back, while Lewis Pullman delivers a complex performance as a sympathetic character at war with himself. It may not be the flashiest, funniest, or strongest Marvel film, but its rough edges and imperfections somehow all feel fitting for this anti-hero team of misfits.”

THUNDERBOLTS* is, in many ways, different from other MCU films that have come before it, and that freshness couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time, when the franchise is in need of new blood and direction. It’s some of Marvel’s darkest material to date, dealing with the… pic.twitter.com/CxxejPPx77
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 22, 2025

Pugh meanwhile, recently revealed that she had to fight Marvel to allow her to perform a terrifying jump from Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

“I got on all the emails. It was in the script, and then slowly as we got closer and closer to shooting, they said they don’t think it’s going to happen because it’s a crazy insurance ordeal and obviously we’re not going to throw [me] off the second tallest building in the world,” she told Fandango. “I was like what the fuck? Of course, we are! We have to do that”.

Thunderbolts* is released in cinemas on May 2.

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