When Villains Become SuperHeroes

I had mixed feelings going into Thunderbolts. While I have grown tired of The Avengers, and really anything Marvel, this movie looked interesting. Would it prove to be a disaster? In this Thunderbolt Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

Thunderbolt Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

In “Thunderbolts*” Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

The film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Edward Pierce, with David Harbour, with Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*” and Kevin Feige is the producer.  Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek and Jason Tamez serve as executive producers.

My Synopsis:

As Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is dealing with impeachment hearings, she is working hard to get rid of evidence that ties her to secret projects which include the use of assassins. These trained assassins are sent to a secret bunker to kill each other. When they realize that they are all working for the same person and the goal was eliminate all lose ends, they team up to save themselves and help save the world.

Thunderbolts Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

Extensive language includes repeatedly taking God’s name in vain such as “oh my g-d,” and “g-d d-mmit,” “Jesus” and “Jesus Christ.” Needless to say, it was excessive and offensive to a Christian. Foul language includes many uses of s-it, h-ll, d-mn, b-tch, a-s, a-sholes, “tiny d-cks,” “d-ck,” and sucks.

Surprisingly, there is not the almost expected use of the f-word.

Additionally, there were other uses of words that almost seem silly to mention after all that, but characters say unkind words such as idiot, call themselves “defective losers,” and “we’re all losers.”

Violence:

Repeated and aggressive violence includes fist fights, strangling, explosions, shooting, and in one scene an army of men line up and shoot at an individual.

In one of the worst scenes of the film, people are obliterated. People turn into black dust and disappear, including a young child. We find out that they are trapped in rooms where they have done wrong or wrong was done to them. A man beats his wife and abuses his child.

Helicopters fall out of the sky crashing into skyscrapers. Buildings fall down on people.

In another disturbing flashback scene, a girl is shown luring another young girl into the woods for her to be shot. This scene replays over and over.

Furthermore, adults talk about committing horrible crimes and feeling alone. The message being the only way to deal with it, is to push it down.

Spiritual Content:

A person who was a lab experiment and now has superpowers compares himself to a god. He asks, “Why would a god take orders?”

Another character says, “Righteousness without power is just an opinion.”

Other Content:

In one scene, a man brushes his teeth with dishwashing soap. I mention this because after movies depict someone doing a weird, unusual thing, youth and teens try it out. Brushing your teeth with dish soap probably is not extremely harmful as long as you spit it out, but repeated use probably is not healthy.

Drug and Alcohol Content:

There is plenty of drinking going around. One man is sitting on his couch drinking. Another woman is shown in a drunken stupor in the bathroom. That scene is particularly disturbing as the woman sees her younger self and the younger self picks up a bottle and forces her to drink.

Another man asks for the bottle of Vodka and takes a swig before making a Maltov cocktail.

Additionally, a man talks about being a meth addict and attacking people.

Positive Content:

Overall, the message of being alone is the only way to deal with pain, suffering, and the things you have done is overridden by the message of being able to help each other. We are not created to be alone and we are never really alone. Furthermore, we are created to walk with our God and to help one another.

Another great message the film portrays is that no matter what you have done in life, you life can be turned around and you can be redeemed. However, as Christians we know that true redemption comes through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Christian Movie Review of Thunderbolts – My Viewing Recommendations:

While I started off this reviewing saying that I was tired of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I really am, Thunderbolts* brought a freshness to a stale series of films. Now that’s not to say I wouldn’t mind more Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Surprisingly, the movie plot was entertaining and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. However, the extensive language, overall darkness of the movie, and repeated violence definitely mean this film is not for children. Keep in mind this film is rated PG-13, and rarely do I ever recommend a PG-13 film for anyone under 13. In fact, I usually think most children should wait to see PG-13 films until they are even older.

From a movie making standpoint, I recommend this film, but it is violent and offensive to Christians.

About the Movie:

Rating: PG-13 for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references.

Release Date: May 2, 2025

Runtime: 2 hours, 6 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

Studio: Marvel Studios

Directed by: Jake Schreier

Written by: Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo

Produced by: Kevin Feige

Edited by: Angela Catanzaro, Harry Yoon

Music by: Son Lux

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Cast of Thunderbolts:

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes

Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent

Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster

Lewis Pullman as Bob, Robert Reynolds, The Sentry, The Void

Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel

David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian

Hannah John Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Wendell Edward Pierce as Congressman Gary

Chris Bauer as Holt

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there an end credit scene for Thunderbolts?

Yes, there is an pretty long end-credit scene for Thunderbolts. It is worth staying to the very end to see it.