Released on May 2nd, Thunderbolts marks a bold shift in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a refreshing change of pace for a darker tone and more mature themes. Centered around a team of antiheroes, the film explores the weight of mental health and the redemptive power of unity.
Eleventh grader Louis Farias shared his thoughts on the movie, saying, “It was a grounded movie that had a great message on mental health and the importance of the family we choose. My favorite scene by far was when Red Guardian goes through so much trouble to save a little girl, just for the Void to make her vanish out of thin air.” This moment stood out because of its emotional impact and shock value. Audiences are used to seeing heroes succeed after doing the right thing, but here, despite all the effort to save her, the girl is simply erased. The scene doesn’t just highlight the villain’s power; it reminds viewers how fragile life is in the MCU and raises the question: if the Void can do this to a normal human, what chance does the team have?
Eleventh grader Kamari Baldelomar was impressed by the movie’s twist, saying, “The villain being this character that we felt for the whole movie was such an amazing twist. His powers were on another level, and he might have the coolest villain name in the entire MCU, the Void.”
The Void, revealed to be a manifestation of Bob’s split personality, adds complexity to the story. His internal battle between light and darkness becomes the emotional core of the movie. With support from his newfound teammates, who gradually become more like family, Bob regains control over his mind. While it’s become a bit of a cliché in superhero films to defeat villains through emotional breakthroughs, Thunderbolts executes this arc so naturally and beautifully that it feels earned.
One of the movie’s biggest strengths is how it elevates underused Marvel characters, many of them previously seen as glorified sidekicks, by giving them depth, flaws, and emotional baggage. Each team member isn’t just fighting supervillains; they’re also battling their own inner demons. The film sends a powerful message: even heroes struggle like the rest of us, but with support, they can rise above it.
Thunderbolts is a bold, emotional, and action-packed film that blends meaningful themes with gripping twists. It might make you cry, but the heartwarming message at its core is worth it. For its strong character development, emotional depth, and entertaining action, this film earns a solid 8.5 out of 10.
