Movies

Critics Have Seen Thunderbolts*, And They Can’t Stop Talking About Florence Pugh’s ‘Standout’ Performance

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In 2025, a few Marvel films are scheduled to debut, with one, titled “Thunderbolts,” standing out as it focuses on the villains. This movie will mark the conclusion of Phase 5 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s expected to reveal Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s ultimate plan. Critics have already previewed the film and can’t stop praising Florence Pugh’s performance.

As a dedicated Marvel fan, I can’t help but feel an electrifying excitement about the upcoming MCU project, the Thunderbolts. The recent behind-the-scenes footage released by director Jake Schreier, filled with explosive action, has only fueled my anticipation. The story revolves around Yelena Belova, portrayed by Florence Pugh, who is grappling with grief and joining forces with other antiheroes to confront a shared adversary. In TopMob’s review of Thunderbolts, Eric Eisenberg praises the film as one of the MCU’s standout recent productions, ticking off necessary boxes ahead of next summer’s Avengers: Doomsday. He awards the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars in his write-up.

A more suitable title for the movie could be “Yelena Belova and Her Companions,” as Yelena, a graduate from the Black Widow program, clearly steals the show in this production. However, it’s still a wise choice to wager on the film, given Florence Pugh’s exceptional acting skills and the intriguing journey of her character.

According to Nicholas Barber from BBC, this Marvel production is one of their top-notch releases in recent years, earning a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. He describes it as an entertaining mix of roughness and earthiness, likening it to a charming, unpolished gem. Remarkably well-structured, you can grasp the storyline and appreciate the journey regardless of whether you’re deeply immersed in Marvel lore or not – largely due to Florence Pugh’s captivating performance. Barber further praises the film.

Pugh gives a remarkable performance that could earn her accolades if she weren’t acting in a superhero movie. Her delivery of one-liners is flawless, especially when she’s engaging in witty banter with Red Guardian. Yet, she also manages to convey deep emotion convincingly. To top it off, she maintains a good Russian accent and performs impressive acrobatic fight scenes. This is why Thunderbolts stands out among Marvel’s post-Endgame films. It’s not just because it offers an engaging spy thriller about endearing anti-heroes. Its primary strength lies in having an actor as captivating as Pugh leading the cast.

Jesse Hassenger from The AV Club awards the upcoming superhero film a B, noting that Marvel manages to regain some of its original charm with this partially-sequel to Black Widow. In an unexpectedly clever way, Thunderbolts* introduces these antiheroes as the main focus.

This movie, titled Thunderbolts*, might easily become overly focused on the action-packed Thunderbolts moments, but it’s primarily designed as a psychological drama for those who typically steer clear of such genres. However, with Pugh in the lead role, there’s a definite boundary to how contrived the movie might feel. Despite its similarities to shows like The Boys and The Suicide Squad, Pugh manages to infuse her character with genuine human emotion through her smudged, soulful portrayal. Is there another actor who can seamlessly blend a caricatured Eastern European accent into both humorous deadpan delivery and a deeply moving sense of empathy?

As a movie buff diving into the vast world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I can’t help but agree with Peter Debruge from Variety. He notes that the latest blockbuster masterfully blends humor that pokes fun at itself with thoughtful explorations of mental health issues. To fully appreciate this blend and understand the MCU’s trajectory, it seems essential to catch up on those lesser-known Marvel characters (so I guess I need to start re-watching those Marvel movies!). Debruge echoes the consensus that Florence Pugh truly shines in this film, making it her movie in every sense.

Similar to how Guardians of the Galaxy movies effectively use the strained camaraderie among a group bound by necessity rather than friendship, this film also thrives on this dynamic. The masterminds behind Marvel films cleverly centered the story around Yelena, not for her unique appeal as a character, but because of who portrays her. With Pugh in the role, Yelena experiences a more human-like identity struggle than most Marvel heroes usually do.

According to Clint Gage from IGN, this production receives a “Good” 7 out of 10 rating. He finds the relationship between David Harbour and Florence Pugh as father and daughter particularly enjoyable to watch. Interestingly, Thunderbolts* stands out with its somber and troubling themes. Overall, Gage considers it one of the strongest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films in recent times, summing up his thoughts by stating that it’s a noteworthy addition to the MCU lineup.

The latest installment of Thunderbolts* seems to have strengthened the core timeline more than it has in some time, offering an adventure that truly suits its underrated protagonists. Although it skillfully delves into a grimmer atmosphere, exploring the psychological well-being of both heroes and villains, the filmmakers find it challenging to harmonize this somber tone with a quick, humorous vibe. Despite the overall movie leaving me with a sense of melancholy, it’s still a positive kind of melancholy, as I am eagerly anticipating encountering these characters once more.

It appears that many critics are in agreement: Florence Pugh’s acting is a significant factor behind Thunderbolts‘s standing as one of Marvel’s top productions in recent times. Remarkably, this film has been recognized as ‘Fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring an impressive 89% on the Tomatometer. Fortunately, you won’t have to wait any longer to see it for yourself, as the movie tied to MCU Phase 5 is set to premiere in theaters on May 2.

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2025-05-01 22:10

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