Cast of Thunderbolts (2025) | Meet the Antiheroes of the MCU

Directed by Jake Schreier.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts (2025) is scheduled for release in the United States on May 2, 2025.

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States.

Movie Review

Marvel’s Thunderbolts (2025) delivers a fresh, emotionally grounded entry into the MCU, shifting focus from world-ending threats to the personal battles of its flawed heroes.

Directed by Jake Schreier, the film assembles a darker lineup including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Sentry (Lewis Pullman).

Recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the team embarks on a morally complex mission that forces each member to confront their past.

Unlike traditional Marvel films, Thunderbolts emphasizes introspection, trauma, and redemption over sheer spectacle.

Florence Pugh shines as Yelena, delivering a performance full of wit, vulnerability, and grit.

David Harbour adds warmth and humor, while Sebastian Stan grounds the story with stoic intensity.

The film’s tone is often likened to an indie drama, offering a refreshing break from typical MCU bombast.

While some critics mention uneven pacing and a less impactful villain, Thunderbolts is praised for its character depth, thematic weight, and emotional storytelling.

Ratings:

Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

Metacritic: 69/100

Google Audience Score: 95% liked this movie.

Thunderbolt (2025) Actors

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova / Black Widow

DOB: January 3, 1996  

Bio: Born in Oxford, England, Florence trained at St. Edward’s School after an early passion for accents and theater.

She won a British Independent Film Award for Lady Macbeth and earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Little Women.

A vocal advocate for mental health and gender equality, she balances blockbuster roles with indie passion projects.

Role: The newly minted Black Widow and de facto field leader, whose blend of lethal skill and sarcastic humor keeps the team together.

What to Expect: Fierce hand-to-hand combat, unexpected emotional beats, and biting one-liners.

Favorite Things: Experimenting with comfort-food recipes, long drives with her dog, and reading feminist essays.

Notable Works: Midsommar, Lady Macbeth, Little Women, Black Widow.

Sebastian Stan as James “Bucky” Barnes / Winter Soldier

DOB: August 13, 1982

Bio: Romanian-born and raised partly in Austria before settling in New York, Sebastian earned a BFA from Rutgers and honed his craft at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

He broke out as Bucky Barnes in Captain America, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nods for Pam & Tommy. Off-screen, he’s a dedicated storyteller who mentors young actors.

Role: The team’s moral center and tactical second-in-command, fighting to atone for his past as the Winter Soldier.

What to Expect: Poignant mentor-mentee moments, steel-arm action, and quiet reflections on identity.

Favorite Things: Writing short stories, returning to the stage, and coaching high-school drama clubs.

Notable Works: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Captain America series, Pam & Tommy, I, Tonya.

David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian

DOB: April 10, 1975

Bio: A Tony-nominated stage actor turned screen star, David trained at Rutgers before his breakout in Stranger Things.

Known for his deadpan humor and gravitas, he’s also an outspoken mental-health advocate.

Role: Russia’s patriotic super-soldier, whose brash humor and unexpected heart make him both muscle and mentor.

What to Expect: Booming Soviet one-liners, gripping display of super-strength, and surprisingly tender moments.

Favorite Things: Playing bass guitar in his band, landscape painting, and public talks on mental wellness.

Notable Works: Stranger Things, Hellboy, Black Widow, Extraction.

Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent

DOB: July 10, 1986

Bio: Son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Wyatt swapped pro-hockey for acting, training at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

He’s known for intense, conflicted characters and a dry wit.

Role: The government’s official super-soldier whose rigid code clashes with the team’s moral grey zones.

What to Expect: Heated ideological clashes, powerhouse combat scenes, and a crisis of conscience.

Favorite Things: Pick-up hockey games, family barbecues, and classic vinyl collecting.

Notable Works: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, 22 Jump Street, Overlord.

Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost

DOB: September 7, 1989

Bio: Trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Central School of Speech and Drama, Hannah rose through UK theatre before turning heads in Killjoys and Ready Player One.

She brings dancer-like physicality to every role.

Role: The phasing specialist haunted by her powers, seeking both control and redemption.

What to Expect: Stunning stealth sequences, emotional isolation arcs, and hard-won belonging.

Favorite Things: Contemporary dance, curating a vintage synth-wave vinyl collection, and urban exploration.

Notable Works: Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ready Player One, Killjoys.

Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster

DOB: November 14, 1979

Bio: Born in Berdyansk, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), Olga Kurylenko began her career as a model after moving to Paris at the age of 16.

She transitioned to acting in the early 2000s and gained international fame with her role as Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008).

Known for her striking screen presence and physical performance skills, Olga often performs her own stunts and brings a quiet intensity to her roles.

Fluent in Russian, French, and English, she has built a versatile career in both European and Hollywood cinema.

Role: The combat mimic whose every move mirrors her opponent—and who fights to reclaim her agency.

What to Expect: Chilling mirror-image combat, psychological tension, and a journey toward self-liberation.

Favorite Things: On-location photography, scuba diving, and international film festivals.

Notable Works: Quantum of Solace, Oblivion, Black Widow.

Lewis Pullman as Robert “Bob” Reynolds / Sentry & Void

DOB: January 29, 1993

Bio: A social work graduate from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, Lewis draws on his drummer’s rhythm to inform both timing and emotional beats.

He’s building a reputation for playing characters balanced on an edge.

Role: The planet-shaking powerhouse whose inner darkness threatens to consume him—and the team.

What to Expect: Awe-inspiring power displays, heartbreaking inner conflict, and explosive visual spectacle.

Favorite Things: Drumming in garage bands, urban sketching, and late-night philosophy podcasts.

Notable Works: Top Gun: Maverick, Bad Times at the El Royale, The Strangers: Prey at Night.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

DOB: January 13, 1961

Bio: A six-time Emmy winner and comedic icon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus began her career at Northwestern University before joining the Practical Theatre Company, which led to her casting on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s.

She rose to fame as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld and later earned critical acclaim for her leading role in Veep.

Beyond acting, she’s a vocal advocate for environmental causes and women’s health, particularly following her personal battle with breast cancer.

Role: The silver-tongued architect of the Thunderbolts program, whose true agenda remains tantalizingly murky.

What to Expect: Machiavellian maneuvering, acerbic humor, and the occasional unlikely reveal.

Favorite Things: Hiking national parks, lobbying for clean-energy legislation, and jazz saxophone.

Notable Works: Seinfeld, Veep, The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel

DOB: June 20, 1995

Bio: Born in Australia to a Swiss-Indian father and Sri Lankan mother, Geraldine broke out with her role in Blockers.

She’s acclaimed for blending sharp comedic timing with sincere emotional delivery.

Role: Valentina’s indispensable assistant, whose tech-wizardry and loyalty keep the mission on track.

What to Expect: Wry observations from behind the screens and unexpected moments of quiet courage.

Favorite Things: Abstract watercolor painting, astrophotography, and improv jam nights.

Notable Works: Blockers, Bad Education, Miracle Workers.

Chris Bauer as Holt

DOB: October 28, 1966

Bio: A Juilliard-trained actor, Chris cut his teeth on Shakespeare before memorable turns in The Wire and True Blood.

He’s known for lending authenticity to every role.

Role: The CIA liaison whose terse briefings and moral ambivalence underscore the political stakes.

What to Expect: Grounded realism, biting bureaucratic banter, and glimpses into the gray world of intelligence.

Favorite Things: Writing short stories, attending local theater productions, and coaching youth acting workshops.

Notable Works: The Wire, True Blood, The Deuce.

More Actors

• Wendell Pierce as Congressman Gary

• Violet McGraw as Young Yelena Belova

• Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross / Red Hulk

• Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster

• Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff 

FAQ – Thunderbolt 2025

What is the runtime and rating of the film?

Thunderbolts has a runtime of 126 minutes and is rated PG-13 for strong violence, profanity, thematic elements, and some drug references.

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

The film follows a group of antiheroes who are coerced into a dangerous mission by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

As they confront their pasts and the moral complexities of their actions, they must work together to navigate a deadly trap.

Is prior knowledge of the MCU necessary to enjoy the film?

While familiarity with previous MCU films may enhance the viewing experience, Thunderbolts is designed to stand on its own, focusing on character-driven storytelling that can be appreciated by both longtime fans and newcomers.

What themes does the film explore?

Thunderbolts delves into themes of redemption, trauma, and the moral ambiguity of its characters, offering a more introspective take on the superhero genre.

Where was Thunderbolts filmed?

Filming took place from February to June 2024 at Trilith Studios and Atlanta Metro Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as on location in Utah and Kuala Lumpur.

Conclusion

Thunderbolts (2025) proves that the Marvel Cinematic Universe still has room to grow beyond flashy battles and formulaic plots.

With a darker tone, emotionally rich storytelling, and standout performances—especially from Florence Pugh and David Harbour—it offers a fresh perspective on heroism and redemption.

While it may not have the high-octane pace or grand villain many expect, its character-driven narrative and grounded style deliver a deeper, more personal experience.

For fans eager to see the MCU explore new emotional territory, Thunderbolts is a compelling and rewarding watch.