As Thunderbolts (2025) hits theaters on May 2, 2025, it has already cemented its place as the highest-rated film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Phase 5, boasting an impressive 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Jake Schreier and featuring a stellar ensemble cast led by Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and newcomers like Lewis Pullman, the film marks a refreshing return to the MCU’s roots with its focus on character-driven storytelling and emotional depth. Among the standout performers, Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, and Florence Pugh have drawn significant attention, not only for their on-screen chemistry but also for the behind-the-scenes camaraderie that has fueled the film’s success. This article explores the film’s critical reception, its narrative strengths, and the behind-the-scenes insights from John-Kamen, Harbour, and Pugh, shedding light on how their collaboration shaped this unexpected MCU gem.

A Critical and Commercial Resurgence

Thunderbolts arrives at a pivotal moment for the MCU, following a Phase 5 marred by mixed reviews and underwhelming box office performances from films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. The film introduces an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova (Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Stan), Red Guardian (Harbour), Ghost (John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell)—recruited by the manipulative Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) for a dangerous mission. The plot centers on their entrapment in a deadly scheme, forcing them to confront their pasts while battling a new threat, the Sentry (Pullman), whose mental health struggles add a poignant layer to the narrative.

Critics have praised Thunderbolts for its departure from the multiverse-heavy plots of recent MCU entries, instead emphasizing grounded action and personal redemption. The film’s 88% rating, based on 257 reviews, reflects its success in balancing dark themes with humor, a feat attributed to the screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo. The Washington Post noted that the cast elevates an otherwise “ho-hum” MCU entry, while IGN highlighted the film’s ability to create compelling character dynamics, reminiscent of Avengers: Infinity War. Commercially, it grossed $162.1 million globally in its opening weekend, with $76 million domestically, signaling a renewed audience interest in Marvel’s storytelling.

The film’s visual aesthetic, crafted by cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo, stands out with its muted, dreary tones that mirror the characters’ emotional states, punctuated by surreal sequences of traumatic memories. This stylistic choice, combined with practical action sequences—such as Pugh’s gravity-defying jump from Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 18 building—has been lauded as a visual treat, marking a departure from the CGI-heavy spectacles of late.

Analyzing the Film’s Narrative and Cast

At its core, Thunderbolts tackles themes of mental health and isolation, with Yelena Belova serving as the emotional anchor. Pugh’s portrayal of the disillusioned assassin, grieving her sister Natasha Romanoff, resonates deeply, offering a rare vulnerability in the MCU. Her dynamic with Harbour’s Red Guardian, her adoptive father, provides comic relief and heartfelt moments, echoing their chemistry from Black Widow (2021). Harbour’s Alexei, a retired Soviet super-soldier with a penchant for theatricality, brings levity, while his interactions with Stan’s Bucky Barnes over their shared super-soldier history add depth.

Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, reprising her role from Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), emerges as a quiet force, her dry wit balancing the group’s dynamic despite limited screen time. John-Kamen has described her character’s evolution from a “volcanic” state of pain to one of control, reflecting a newfound decisiveness that enriches the team’s interplay. Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, once a divisive figure in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, finds redemption here, his narcissism tempered by a surprising heart, a shift critics have celebrated.

The introduction of Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, a superhero grappling with loneliness and a dark alter-ego, The Void, serves as a narrative pivot. His mental health arc mirrors Yelena’s, creating a compelling opposition that forces the team to face their own demons. This focus on psychological complexity, rare for MCU films, has been a standout, with ScreenRant calling it a “fantastic” exploration that elevates the movie beyond typical superhero fare.

Behind the Scenes: A Collaborative Spirit

The behind-the-scenes stories from Thunderbolts reveal a cast deeply invested in their roles, with Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, and Florence Pugh at the forefront of a playful yet dedicated ensemble. Recent glimpses from set, shared through social media and interviews, showcase their camaraderie, which mirrors the film’s on-screen chemistry. David Harbour has teased the group’s dynamic, noting, “We just really wanted to mess with each other,” highlighting a mutual admiration for their “bad qualities” that fueled improvisational moments. This off-screen rapport translated into the film’s snappy banter, such as Yelena and Ghost mocking Walker’s Captain America helmet.

Florence Pugh’s determination to perform her own stunts has become a talking point. Her insistence on jumping off the Merdeka 18 building—Kuala Lumpur’s second-tallest structure at 2,227 feet—led to a months-long negotiation with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Pugh humorously recounted her “sassy Karen” emails, pushing for the stunt to set a Guinness World Record and boost the press tour. Though insurance concerns initially stalled the plan, her commitment to embodying Yelena’s mindset—“stepping into her headspace saved me from fear”—allowed her to execute the scene with minimal doubles, adding authenticity to the film’s opening.

David Harbour, juggling Thunderbolts with Stranger Things 5 and A Working Man, embraced the chaos of his schedule, calling it a labor of love. His lobbying for Rachel Weisz’s return as Melina Vostokoff from Black Widow reflects his desire to deepen Alexei’s arc, though it remains unfulfilled. Harbour’s theatrical energy on set, often chewing scenery, brought levity, with Pugh noting their father-daughter dynamic as a “real emotional need” that grounded the film’s darker tones.

Hannah John-Kamen, returning as Ghost, offered insights into her character’s transformation, emphasizing control over her phasing abilities as a metaphor for personal growth. Her behind-the-scenes presence, captured in photos with Pugh and Harbour, suggests a supportive role in the ensemble, her dry wit evident in off-screen interactions. The cast’s unconventional entrance at CinemaCon 2025, playfully blaming Wyatt Russell for a delay, further illustrates their lighthearted approach, a trait that permeates the film’s tone.

The Impact of Their Collaboration

The behind-the-scenes collaboration of John-Kamen, Harbour, and Pugh has been instrumental in Thunderbolts’ success. Pugh’s leadership, evident in her stunt advocacy and emotional anchoring, has elevated Yelena into a fan-favorite, with posts on X hailing her as the “star” of the film. Harbour’s comedic timing and willingness to push for narrative depth added a familial warmth, while John-Kamen’s understated performance brought balance, her character’s evolution hinting at future potential. Together, they’ve revitalized the MCU’s ensemble formula, proving that character focus can rival spectacle.

This synergy is particularly striking given the film’s indie sensibility, a nod to Schreier’s background in music videos and projects like Beef. The cast’s willingness to embrace this tone—Pugh’s raw vulnerability, Harbour’s hammy sincerity, and John-Kamen’s quiet strength—has resonated with audiences, earning an A- CinemaScore and 74% recommendation on PostTrak. Their behind-the-scenes efforts, from stunt negotiations to improvisational banter, underscore a passion that transcends the screen, offering hope for the MCU’s future as it heads into Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday.

Conclusion: A New MCU Benchmark

Thunderbolts stands as a testament to the power of a committed cast, with Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, and Florence Pugh leading the charge both on and off the set. The film’s critical acclaim and solid box office performance signal a potential reset for Marvel, blending indie flair with superhero spectacle. Their behind-the-scenes stories—of stunts, laughter, and mutual respect—reveal a creative process that mirrors the film’s themes of redemption and unity. As the MCU evolves, this trio’s contribution ensures Thunderbolts is not just a highlight of Phase 5 but a blueprint for what’s to come, proving that even antiheroes can shine with the right support.