Synopsis: In Thunderbolts*, a team of anti-heroes is recruited for a dangerous mission. Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker form the group of misfits and rejects who, caught in a trap by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, are forced to embark on an offensive plan that will make them confront their greatest traumas and scars from the past. Ready to act for dubious causes, the six seem like the wrong choice to handle the high-stakes challenges alongside the government. Yelena is a former spy and highly trained assassin for the Russian criminal organization Red Room. Red Guardian was a Russian super soldier who was alongside Yelena on one of her secret missions in the United States. Ava Starr, known as Ghost, was a SHIELD spy exploited for her quantum abilities. John Walker, the American Agent, was a hero discarded from his position as Steve Rogers/Captain America's replacement due to his impulsive and violent ways. Trainer is the daughter of the leader of the Red Room, who underwent an experimental treatment that turned her into a cybernetically enhanced assassin. And finally, Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, was a mind-controlled assassin by the secret organization HYDRA.
Of the three feature films scheduled for 2025 (Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four) this was the one that made me most curious to watch. Because the members of this group are not heroes.
In fact, Yelena Belova (former Black Widow), Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), John Walker (American Agent), Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian) and Ava Starr (Ghost) are more like anti-heroes. Having watched these films, I already knew them and their stories so I was excited to see them act together.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, director of the CIA, is facing impeachment proceedings. She is being accused (rightly) of being involved in illegal experiments on people. The director then sends Yelena Belova to various laboratories to get rid of any evidence that could convict her.
Yelena is on another mission, which consists of eliminating an invader from one of Valentina's secret facilities, when she is attacked by the American Agent. John Walker was sent there to eliminate Yelena, just as she was sent to kill Ghost and Ghost to get rid of Taskmaster (who was also there). As soon as they realize that everyone works for Valentina, they also realize that they are trapped, that it was all a trap and that the director's real objective is to eliminate them, so that there is no one left who can testify against her.
But the mercenaries aren't the only ones in this place. Because appearing out of nowhere is Bob, a somewhat foolish guy who has no idea how he got there.
Now these people, who have always worked alone, will have to join forces and learn to trust each other to escape.
As the plot unfolds, some questions remain in the air, with the aim of finding answers: will they be able to do it? Also, who is Bob? What was he doing there, and why does every time someone holds his hand they end up having a glimpse of a sad moment from the past?
And I wasn't disappointed! Thunderbolts is a very welcome breath of fresh air after so many stagnant productions.
But this is almost 100% due to the fact that the protagonists are people who have made mistakes, but who do not have a bad nature. In fact, all they have ever wanted is to be accepted. That's what the film is about: Loneliness, trauma and the desire to become something different than what you already are, something better.
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