‘Thunderbolts’ First Reactions Praise How Florence Pugh “Brings The Heart” To Marvel Movie & Takes Yelena Belova “To Another Level” – Deadline
2025-04-23T01:45:00Z
The first reviews of Thunderbolts are coming in, and early reactions are praising the Marvel movie.
The first reviews of Thunderbolts are coming in, and early reactions are praising the Marvel movie.
Thunderbolts stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and more.
The superhero film follows a group of antiheroes forced to work together on a dangerous mission after being caught in a deadly trap.
Matt Neglia, the editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, took to social media to marvel at Thunderbolts, calling it “different from other MCU films” and coming at an “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 emotional wreckage of broken individuals grappling with their past choices and finding camaraderie amidst the emptiness of their lives,” Neglia adds.
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The editor also gave special props to Pugh, “who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back.”
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
Film writer Emily Murray said that Thunderbolts was “one of the best MCU movies in a long time,” adding the film “has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with.” Murray also noted that Pugh is “superb” in her role of Yelena.
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
Film critic Amon Warmann said that Thunderbolts “was pretty great,” calling the film “a visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront.” Warmann added that Pugh “brings the heart” to the film while Harbour “is consistently funny” and noted that Pullman “might be the stealth MVP.”
#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
Film writer Mia Pflüger praised Pugh for her stunt work, which the star recently discussed.
“Florence Pugh brings Yelena Belova to another level in #Thunderbolts*. She brings her another layer of vulnerability, strength and also imperfection. On top a perfect dramatic exchange between her and Alexei. The future of the new superhero generation is in good hands with her,” Pflüger posted on X.
Florence Pugh brings Yelena Belova to another level in #Thunderbolts*. She brings her another layer of vulnerability, strength and also imperfection. On top a perfect dramatic exchange between her and Alexei. The future of the new superhero generation is in good hands with her. pic.twitter.com/BSoB5RA5AE — Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) April 22, 2025
Film critic Brandon Norwood said they were “shocked how good Thunderbolts is,” adding, “Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel that has us for a decade plus.”
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