Thunderbolts* (2025) plunges audiences into a darker, character-driven chapter of the MCU by assembling a ragtag team of antiheroes and former villains. Directed by Jake Schreier and released on May 2, 2025, this ensemble includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier), David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, with Lewis Pullman stepping in as Sentry (a.k.a. Bob), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.The team is manipulated into a deadly mission orchestrated by Valentina, forcing them to confront personal traumas and moral ambiguity as they strive for redemption—converging themes of empathy and psychological healing over world-shattering spectacle Critics praised the film for its emotional depth, grounded tone, and strong performances—particularly Florence Pugh’s empathetic, nuanced portrayal—marking it as a standout among recent MCU offerings.