The movie Thunderbolts (2025) begins in Malaysia, where Yelena Belova is seen destroying a laboratory on orders from CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. De Fontaine is trying to erase any evidence linking her to the O.X.E. Group's "Sentry" superhuman project. De Fontaine, facing imminent impeachment for her secret dealings, sends Yelena along with John Walker, Ava Starr (Ghost), and Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster)—all operatives who have worked for her—to a covert O.X.E. facility. Their orders are to kill each other, effectively eliminating all witnesses and evidence.

Inside the facility, a violent confrontation ensues. Ava kills Antonia during the fight. Meanwhile, an amnesiac man named Bob is released from a suspended animation pod in the same room. The group quickly realizes that de Fontaine intended for them to be incinerated along with the evidence. They decide to work together to escape the trap. When Yelena and Walker come into physical contact with Bob, they experience brief visions of some of their worst memories, hinting at Bob’s mysterious connection to them.

De Fontaine learns that the group has survived and that Bob was a presumed-dead volunteer in the Sentry trials. She arrives at the site, but Bob creates a diversion by drawing enemy fire, allowing Yelena, Walker, and Ava to escape. Bob is shot but sustains no injuries; he uncontrollably ascends into the air, then crash-lands back at the compound. He is captured and transported to the former Avengers Tower in Manhattan, now renamed the "Watchtower." De Fontaine plans to present Bob to the press as a super-powered protector, similar to the Avengers, hoping this will help her avoid impeachment.

Meanwhile, Yelena’s father-figure, Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), who overheard details of de Fontaine’s plot while working as a freelance chauffeur, rescues Yelena, Walker, and Ava. Alexei refers to the group as the "Thunderbolts," inspired by Yelena’s childhood soccer team.

The team now consists of Yelena Belova, John Walker, Ava Starr (Ghost), Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), and Bob (Sentry). They are a dysfunctional group of antiheroes, each with a troubled past. The film follows their dangerous mission, forcing them to confront their darkest memories and past mistakes. Throughout the movie, they struggle with internal conflicts and mistrust but gradually unite to face a greater threat posed by de Fontaine.

The film’s tone is serious and visually desaturated, with a muted color palette that reflects the somber and complex nature of the characters and their mission. The action sequences are choreographed but not highly stylized, focusing more on the characters’ interactions and psychological struggles.

By the end of the movie, the Thunderbolts have survived their mission. Bob, initially amnesiac and mysterious, becomes central to the team’s dynamic. The film closes with the group having found a tentative unity, though the narrative leaves open the possibility of future challenges. The main characters—Yelena, Walker, Ava, Alexei, Bucky, and Bob—are all alive, having survived the deadly trap and the mission set by de Fontaine.

This is the sequential narrative of Thunderbolts (2025) as visible to the viewer, scene by scene, focusing on the key events and character outcomes.

The main characters in Thunderbolts* have complex and troubled pasts that deeply influence their motivations. For example, Bob, one of the characters, has a history of childhood trauma and episodes linked to his father's abuse, which are connected to his powers and psychological state. The film also shows frozen shadows of the first Ox group texts, hinting at past events and experiments related to Project Century. Yolena and Bob share a tethered connection through the void, which is a significant element in their relationship and the story's progression.

Thunderbolts* explores the psychological depth of its characters, portraying therapy as a sign of strength and delving into the mental and emotional challenges they face. Bob's internal struggles are visualized through scenes in his 'void shame rooms,' and the film implies that his void powers and psychological episodes have murky origins tied to his past trauma. The characters confront their darkest corners, making the story raw and human rather than relying solely on action.

The 'void' is a central element in Thunderbolts*, representing both a power and a psychological space. Bob's void is never fully extracted, which creates a tether between him and Yolena, symbolizing their intertwined fates. The void also contains remnants of past events, such as the frozen shadows of the first Ox group texts. It serves as a backdrop for key moments, including Bob's attic scenes and his internal battles, influencing the plot and character relationships.

The action in Thunderbolts* is crafted to be practical and character-driven rather than relying on excessive camera moves or CGI. For instance, Florence Pugh's character performs a stunt descending from the second tallest building in the world, emphasizing realism and the character's commitment. The filmmakers aimed to give the action more weight and surprise, focusing on how it reveals character traits and advances the story rather than just spectacle.

In Thunderbolts*, a group of supervillains is recruited by the government to undertake dangerous missions. This setup forces the characters to confront their pasts and work together despite their differences. The recruitment highlights themes of redemption, moral ambiguity, and the complexity of antiheroes operating in a world where traditional heroes are absent. It sets the stage for the political and psychological drama that unfolds throughout the film.

The movie Thunderbolts (2025) is rated PG-13 and is not fully family friendly, especially for younger children or sensitive viewers. It contains strong violence, moderate profanity, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Violence & Gore: Moderate to strong violence with scenes of shootings, stabbing, punching, impalements, and physical fights. Some scenes involve a woman nearly being choked with a cord, repeated punching to the face, and off-screen shootings. Blood is shown but not excessively graphic.

• Language: Moderate use of profanity, including some suggestive remarks.

• Thematic Elements: Some mature themes and drug references are present, though not heavily detailed.

• Frightening & Intense Scenes: Several scenes are described as severe in intensity, which may be unsettling for sensitive viewers or children.

• Sex & Nudity: None reported, though there is some suggestive dialogue.

Overall, Thunderbolts contains action and mature content that may be inappropriate for children and sensitive audiences, making parental discretion advised.