Florence Pugh’s Thunderbolts* Performance Gets Five *s

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Marvel’s reputation among critics is once again strong, and it seems like all Kevin Feige needed was to produce a film reminiscent of A24 productions. The movie’s “pure cinema” teaser suggests that many talented individuals who have worked with A24 in the past were involved, starting with Jake Schreier (known for ‘Beef’). Hitting theaters on May 2, this new installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a team of anti-heroes: Yelena Belova (played by Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). Critics, regardless of their level of enjoyment or perception of the movie as an indie drama, have agreed on one thing: Florence Pugh’s performance. Here are some glowing reviews that every actress would be proud to hear, featuring the upcoming ‘Thunderbolts‘.

The fact that a group of unconventional anti-heroes managing to challenge a god of despair is mainly due to the talented cast and Schreier’s realization that they are more captivating than traditional action sequences, except for an overly shadowy fight in a hallway. Pugh stands out as she adds a sense of emotional authenticity to the film, making it seem more tangible and solid compared to recent Marvel productions. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) initially gained popularity by connecting its grand narratives with something closer to reality, starting with Iron Man, who is a weapons manufacturer seeking redemption through technological innovation. It’s ironic that as the genre appears to be heading back towards old-fashioned sincerity with reboots of Fantastic Four and Superman, Thunderbolts arrives with one of the most profound metaphors for superpowers in the MCU to date. (Alison Willmore, Vulture)

In a nutshell, Julia Pugh gives a captivating performance in Thunderbolts that would likely earn her accolades, if not for the fact it’s a superhero film. She skillfully delivers her jokes with impeccable timing, particularly when she spars wittily with Red Guardian. Moreover, she manages to convey raw emotion convincingly while keeping up a good Russian accent and acrobatically navigating through fight scenes. This is one reason Thunderbolts stands out amongst most Marvel films post-Endgame. It isn’t merely because it’s an action-packed spy thriller featuring endearing anti-heroes; the real appeal lies in its charismatic central figure like Pugh.

In numerous aspects, “Thunderbolts” appears as a refreshing change and an impressive progression for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), considering it revolves around a group of characters who were previously considered leftovers from past Marvel stories – loose ends that had been left untied. The film’s writers, Eric Pearson (known for “Black Widow” and “Thor: Ragnarok”) and Joanna Calo (who has contributed to shows like “Bojack Horseman” and co-showran FX’s “The Bear”), along with director Jake Schreier, skillfully craft engaging, frequently humorous interactions among these unusual characters. They manage to find amusing and relatable aspects in each character, making them feel more endearing to the audience.

In simple terms, the movie “Thunderbolts” presents a story where having a sense of purpose is portrayed as the greatest superpower. The film, written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, who also co-manages “The Bear,” successfully introduces a new dimension to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) before it concludes. This transformation is evident from the character Yelena, whose role as a ‘disillusioned Soviet assassin seeking meaning in life’ allows Florence Pugh to develop a compelling character reminiscent of the original Avengers. The movie skillfully blends guilt and melancholy without becoming overly sentimental. Yelena becomes the central figure in the humorous narrative that unfolds around her, a narrative that wouldn’t be effective if Yelena didn’t convincingly touch the hearts of those around her in the story. This analysis is by David Ehrlich from IndieWire.

Similar to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, it’s the strained dynamics within a group that forms out of necessity rather than friendship that works well in this film. The Marvel producers cleverly centered the story around Yelena, not because she is an exceptionally captivating character, but due to the actress portraying her. In Pugh’s capable hands, Yelena experiences a more relatable identity crisis than most Marvel heroes. While A-list characters grapple with the burden of what Spider-Man called great power and great responsibility, the Thunderbolts mirror many young adults today: they feel overwhelmed, question their abilities, and are still being called to greatness despite these doubts.

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2025-05-05 22:54