The recent Marvel film Thunderbolts* brings together a team of complex characters that each carry deep emotional stories. Unlike the traditional Avengers, these heroes are brought together for all the wrong reasons. They were each sent to eliminate each other, but instead connected over their personal encounters with trauma, regret, guilt, and loss. This creates an unexpected yet compelling theme throughout the film.

At the heart of the story is Yelena Belova, whose grief over her sister Natasha Romanoff allows the film to hold emotional weight. As the group faces mental struggles and a powerful threat within Bob, also known as Sentry, Thunderbolts* explores what it means to fight not just for the world, but for oneself. It shines a light on mental health struggles, gives important new depth to each character, and sets up the multiverse for upcoming movies.

Image Credit: Marvel Studios from Wikimedia

Depth of Characters

Throughout the film, audiences see different sides of all the characters. Showcasing this means that people are able to feel connected and resonate with each character more than ever before. Filmmakers set up each character with emotion and captivating storylines that were brought to life through this film. Below is a short explanation of each person within the main group in Thunderbolts* and their backgrounds.

Yelena Belova was raised in the Red Room and trained as a Black Widow. We are first introduced to her in Black Widow, and later see her storyline develop in Hawkeye. She grew up in a fake family alongside Natasha Romanoff.

Though their family was created on lies, Yelena saw Natasha as her true sister. After Natasha sacrificed herself in Avengers: Endgame, Yelena struggles both mentally and emotionally. Her grief is raw, mixed up with guilt and unresolved anger.

Bucky Barnes, also known as The Winter Soldier, was once a brainwashed assassin. He has appeared throughout the MCU, starting in Captain America: The First Avenger as Steve Rogers’ best friend, later becoming the Winter Soldier in The Winter Soldier, and playing roles in Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. He’s spent years trying to make up for the lives he took while brainwashed and under someone else's control. He often suppresses his internal struggles, all while feeling the weight of wanting to undo everything he has done wrong.

John Walker is a soldier who lost control. After being stripped of the Captain America title for a violent act, he has been actively trying to rebuild his identity and reputation. He faces many personal battles, which can include his regret for how he has treated his daughter.

In Thunderbolts, Walker is not what you would expect. He is loyal but impulsive, driven by a need to prove himself.

Ava Starr, or Ghost, was left unstable by a quantum accident, giving her the ability to phase through matter. We are first introduced to this character in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Although quiet, guarded, and isolated, she is constantly struggling mentally. In the film, Ava finds an unexpected connection with Yelena and Bucky, who understand what it means to live with trauma.

Alexei Shostakov, Russia’s Red Guardian and Yelena’s adoptive father, was first introduced in Black Widow. He’s strong, nostalgic, and often comic relief, but beneath the surface, he feels regret. His reunion with Yelena in Thunderbolts is intense, but even so, he wants to reconnect.

Bob is one of the most powerful in the Marvel universe, but he’s also one of the most unstable. His alter ego, the Void, is a destructive force created from his own mind. In Thunderbolts*, Bob is a tragic character who is gentle and kind one moment, and terrifying the next. When transformed into the Void, he turns people into shadows, showing them their darkest and most painful thoughts/scenarios.

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Shining a Light on Mental Health

The world we live in today brings all walks of life together. Whether at school, work, or taking a walk around your neighborhood, you are likely to see someone. You may look at them from afar, or maybe you want to say "hello!" as you pass by.

Either way, you would never know what is going on inside their head or in their personal life. Even in friendships, how often do you check up on someone you love? How often do you ask your friend if they need someone to lean on when their mind gets too heavy?

Many times, people feel the topic is too heavy or that they shouldn't bring it up. Others who feel such an emotion think they will burden whoever it is they open up to about it. However, it is important to talk about because so many teens around the world struggle with mental health.

Each person deserves a hand extended to them, someone to reassure them that their feelings will never be a burden. Many would simply feel better having someone to listen and hear their thoughts, no matter how dark, anxious, or scary they may be. So many people would benefit from the outlet of just simply talking about it, and that is what Marvel gave their audiences through the film Thunderbolts.

Past Marvel films have given audiences the opportunity to connect with characters who face internal struggles, but even so, those struggles are never the theme of the movie. In Thunderbolts, each character fought their own battles. The most present internal conflict was within Yelena. Going back to when the Avengers failed to defeat Thanos in Infinity War, half of the population disappeared for five years.

Fast forward, and the Avengers found a way to time-travel and bring those who vanished back. Yet, in the process, Natasha Romanoff had sacrificed herself for the greater good. Audiences watched in Hawkeye how Yelena found out about her sister's death, reacting forcefully and heartbreakingly. Following that, in Thunderbolts, viewers watched as Yelena began to fall apart.

In Thunderbolts, Yelena explains,

"There is something wrong with me. An emptiness. I thought it started when my sister died, but now it feels like something bigger. Just a void."

She struggled to keep herself going every day, burdened with the constant thought that she had no purpose or reason to be in the world. Everyone watching can interpret her feelings in their own personal way, creating such a special connection to her character. Countless people, after watching the movie, have felt so much more seen.

The way that Yelena displays and later opens up about her mental health struggles draws the audience in. It helps people who struggle with similar emotions feel less alone, and gives them a person to look to for where to go next. Even with the countless struggles Yelena faces, she continues to be the fierce, witty, and charismatic character that she has been since we met her.

Fans appreciate seeing more depth in a character, especially when there is a focus on their mental health struggles and how they are working to overcome such challenging emotions. Marvel directors create such complex and tragic storylines, building on where a character began, and this film shed light on how many of those characters are dealing with their pasts. It is truly eye-opening watching a character you love fight battles that you also fight.

Setting the Scene for Upcoming Marvel Films

In recent Marvel news, there is much to come in the cinematic universe. Thunderbolts* sets up the MCU by bringing together characters like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, and John Walker. The end of their movie and post-credits scenes hint at them forming a new Avengers team.

The most recent appearance of these characters was in the animated show Marvel Zombies. It follows the plotline of trying to stop a zombie apocalypse. It is also rumored that Yelena will make an appearance in Spider-Man Brand New Day, but nothing is confirmed at this time.

This leads into the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday (2026), which will feature both Avengers and X-Men characters. The movie will bring highly anticipated hero crossovers. Since the release of Avengers: Endgame (2019), fans have mourned the loss of several powerful characters.

One of which that was mourned was Tony Stark or Iron Man, played over the years by Robert Downey Jr. During a Comic-Con event a while ago, it was announced that RDJ will make a return to the MCU as the character Dr. Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.

In addition to RDJ making a return as Dr. Doom, many fans are excited about the rest of the cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday. Various beloved character will be making their comeback in this film. In addition, Thunderbolts* character Yelena Belova will be part of this production, and many speculate the rest of the team will also be making appearances in upcoming films.

Lastly, the events of Thunderbolts* and Avengers: Doomsday set up the MCU’s next big chapter by forming a new Avengers team and bringing together heroes from multiple franchises. These storylines will build toward Avengers: Secret Wars, set to release 2027. This film will finish the Multiverse Saga and unite everyone's favorite characters for an epic showdown, concluding this era of Marvel.