‘Thunderbolts’ First Reactions: Florence Pugh Is ‘Superb’ in ‘Some of Marvel’s Darkest Material to Date’

Marvel‘s “Thunderbolts” has been revealed to members of the film press, and the first reactions are calling the superhero tentpole a “bold dive into trauma, healing and redemption.” Cast member Florence Pugh, who made her Marvel debut in “Black Widow” as Yelena and is now headlining her first MCU movie after popping up in shows like “Hawkeye,” appears to have the standout performance. The Oscar nominee’s performance is being called “superb” and the one that “shines the brightest” among the cast.

Next Best Picture editor in chief Matt Neglia writes that “Thunderbolts” is “some of Marvel’s darkest material to date” and “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.”

Film writer Emily Murray called “Thunderbolts” easily “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.”

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

Following a group of mouthy anti-heroes teaming up against a common threat, the film stars Pugh (Yelena Belova), Pullman (Sentry), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barns), David Harbour (Red Gaurdian) and Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster). Jake Schreier serves as director while Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo penned the script.

Marvel is hoping for a win with “Thunderbolts” after February’s “Captain America: Brave New World” failed to achieve commercial and critical success. However, if “Thunderbolts” fizzles, MCU fans have “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” to look forward to in July. The studio also has the highly anticipated “Avengers” sequels, “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars,” set to release on May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively.

In the lead up to the premiere, Marvel promised a different kind of superhero movie with “Thunderbolts.” Back in March, a trailer ran in theaters boasting the film’s lineup of cast and crew who have worked on A24 films. Even before the trailer debuted, director Schreier touted the film as distinct from Marvel’s usual fare.

“The goal that Kevin [Feige, head of Marvel Studios] set at the beginning was to go in and try to make this different,” Schreier said at Comic-Con 2024. “If you can imagine a Marvel movie from people who make that kind of work, and imagine where those tones could meet, then I feel like that’s what we hope we’ve made.”

“Thunderbolts” opens in theaters May 2 from Disney and Marvel Studios.