Thunderbolts* opens with dark superhero introspection suffused with cynicism as Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) reflects on her life, then plunges from a New York City rooftop. Pugh does dark spectacularly well and brings a depth to her character in this latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking Yelena well beyond Black Widow’s little sister. Directed by Jack Schreier, with a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, Thunderbolts* enthusiastically delivers all the fast-paced action, intrigue, and adrenaline infused thrills one expects from the MCU, but just as compelling and integral to the narrative is the emotional force of the film. Schreier’s previous films, Robot & Frank (2012) and Paper Towns (2015) are both very much occupied with feelings and relationships, and that sensibility permeates Thunderbolts*.
Spoiler alert – Yelena leaps from the rooftop into yet another cleanup job for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Taking some agency and recognizing that she is stuck in a negative pattern, she bargains for a more “public facing” job after this one. Little does she imagine how duplicitous, heartless, and conniving Valentina can be, until she is confronted with the outcome in a hidden lab dug into a mountain in Malaysia, in the form of John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). Violence ensues.
Lurking beneath the action are Yelena’s feelings, which she takes to the Red Guardian, Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour). In a goofy yet sweet sort of “fake it till you make it” these two, who were set up as part of the fake spy family that included assassin Melina Vostokoff as the mother, and Natasha Romanoff as Yelena’s older sister, do have a somewhat familial relationship. Troubled by doubts and depression, Yelena comes to Shostakov, who, despite living in a mess and lolling on the couch in boxers, tells her, “The light inside you is dim, even by Eastern European standards.” Shostakov carries much of the humor of the film with his genial, blundering sincerity.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is spectacularly evil as Valentina, and a worthy opponent for any superhero. While covertly managing her nefarious plots, she is also very publicly facing an impeachment trial in Washington D.C. headed by Congressman Gary (Wendell Pierce). There, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) keeps trying to convince Valentina’s loyal assistant Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan) to switch teams. Meanwhile, back at the secret lab, a stranger suddenly appears, who only knows that his name is Bob (Lewis Pullman) and he woke up in the lab. The band of three – Yelena, John, and Ava – inevitably and somewhat reluctantly take Bob with them as they try to escape. Pullman is endearing as the eager and insecure Bob; his trajectory and transformation is at the core of the film.
Thunderbolts*
Director: Jake Schreier; Screenplay: Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo; Story: Eric Pearson; Cinematography: Andres Droz Palermo; Editors: Angela M. Catanzaro, Harry Yoon; Music: Son Lux; Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
