Yelena Belova wakes in a low-lit motel room, listless after a string of covert missions she has carried out under the direction of Contessa Valentina de Fontaine. She sits on the bed and goes through a dossier that Valentina supplied for a recent operation, her face registering fatigue and doubt as she flips through the files. News coverage plays on a small television: Valentina faces a congressional inquiry and mounting public outrage as allegations surface about clandestine programs she oversees. Valentina learns that impeachment is imminent and, fearing exposure, constructs a contingency plan meant to eliminate every loose end tied to her covert activities.

Valentina activates that plan by assigning four operatives--Yelena Belova, Ava Starr (known as Ghost), John Walker (the U.S. Agent), and Antonia Dreykov (the Taskmaster)--to a set of coordinated strikes meant to erase evidence and, if necessary, each other. Valentina provides them with orders, profiles, and a single civilian target: Robert "Bob" Reynolds, a previously unknown man with a complicated medical past. Valentina's briefing emphasizes secrecy; she stresses that any link between these operatives and her programs must be destroyed. Each operative receives similar instructions with different deadlines and locations, so that the missions will overlap and any surviving participants can be written off as collateral.

On the evening the plan is set to unfold, John Walker stakes out a midtown apartment building where he believes Bob resides. Yelena tails a different lead around a nearby shipping yard where she expects to intercept documents tied to Bob. Antonia Dreykov, Taskmaster, tracks Bob to a storage facility, relying on mimicry and preternatural combat reflexes to close the distance. Ava Starr materializes at a Chelsea gallery where Bob had been seen arguing with a curator earlier in the day. Their separate approaches converge when all four operatives encounter Bob on the roof of the storage facility; the coordination is tighter than any could have predicted.

The moment the four operatives confront Bob, each recognizes signatures of the same operation--Valentina's fingerprints, both literal and figurative. As Taskmaster moves to execute Bob, Ava phases through the rooftop structure and into the physical space around Taskmaster, disrupting his balance and destabilizing the weapons he uses to mimic combat forms. Ava's intangibility causes Taskmaster's equipment to malfunction and he tumbles over the edge of the rooftop. He strikes a metal awning on the way down and dies on impact. The remaining operatives freeze. Walker levels his shield and demands answers. Yelena, breathing hard, steps between them and Bob. Too many details match between their orders; they realize they have been set up to kill one another and eliminate a civilian who could link them to Valentina's programs.

Robert Reynolds does not answer their questions coherently. He appears fragmented, speaking in jerks and referencing people and events that do not line up with his apparent age or occupation. In private interrogations held in an abandoned warehouse, Walker presses Bob for the truth; Bob rattles off disjointed memories of clinical lights and laboratory voices. Yelena, skeptical but pragmatic, proposes a partnership of convenience: they can work together long enough to locate whoever orchestrated the hit--Valentina--and expose or stop her. Walker resists but agrees; Ava, unused to working with other people, keeps a quiet distance. The four reluctantly form a temporary truce.

Valentina hears that her assassins have survived and that Bob is still alive. She has access to classified files and an archived project dossier titled Project Sentry. When she reviews the program documents, she learns that Bob is the only living test subject of that initiative, a government effort launched after the Avengers disbanded to create a controllable superhuman. The program had been shuttered when test subjects proved unstable; Bob's survival had been covered up and his records buried. Valentina calculates the risk: Bob's mental instability makes him an unpredictable weapon. If Bob manifests superhuman abilities on a large scale, he will expose Valentina's role and threaten her political survival. Valentina's response is twofold: she tightens surveillance on Bob and escalates measures to ensure that any evidence tying him to Project Sentry disappears.

Yelena takes the lead in tracking Project Sentry's past. She and Walker force a retired scientist who worked on Sentry to reveal the location of a clandestine lab in the Hudson Valley. In that lab they discover archived equipment, a panicked audio log, and a sealed chamber that once housed the program's subject. Documents show attempts to implant a failsafe device--a killswitch--intended to shut down the subject's powers should he become uncontrollable. The records also identify an assistant named Mel, who moved to Valentina's team after Project Sentry's closure. The Thunderbolts--Yelena, Walker, Ava and the civilian Bob--realize they will need greater firepower and institutional knowledge to confront Valentina and anything tied to Sentry.

Bucky Barnes and Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, appear as allies. Bucky arrives with information on Valentina's relationships inside the intelligence community and access to safe transport. Red Guardian steps into the group with blunt force and a determination born of previous alliances. Yelena recruits them to form a makeshift team, adopting the working moniker "the Thunderbolts." They plan a direct assault on Valentina's current base of operations: a fortified communications hub in Manhattan where Valentina stores hard drives, secure servers, and backup copies of all her covert program files.

The Thunderbolts coordinate a night assault. Walker breaches the perimeter with his shield, taking cast-iron doors and automated turrets in repeated strikes. Bucky moves through ventilation shafts and disables security cameras; Red Guardian smashes through reinforced walls to create an unexpected entry. Yelena quietly neutralizes guards with precision strikes, and Ava phases through locked doors to access control panels and silence alarms. Inside, they find Valentina facing a bank of consoles, her expression unreadable. A confrontation erupts. Valentina refuses to surrender the files and activates a failsafe firewall to erase her data if the team attempts to seize it.

As the Thunderbolts attempt to restrain her and seize the servers, Valentina reveals more than the files: she reveals an escape plan involving Bob. She has been monitoring Sentry's stabilization and has moved Bob back into a controlled environment under the pretense of protection. Valentina intends to use Bob as both a weapon and a shield--if he is publicized as a new protector, she can leverage his existence to justify sweeping authority. The team moves to the hidden lab where Bob is being held. There they find the subject awake and changed. Bob appears sleep-deprived and jittery; his eyes glint with a strange intensity that precedes a release of power.

The battle that follows spans Midtown Manhattan. Bob's transformation manifests as a concentrated, gravity-defying force. He lifts cars and hurls them through brick facades, tears open street sections, and emits concentric blasts of energy that shatter glass on adjacent skyscrapers. Walker engages Bob head-on, using his shield to block kinetic waves that ripple through the street, but the force throws him back and tears away sections of his uniform. Bucky attempts to tackle Bob while using his bionic arm to absorb pulses of energy, but the arm overloads and sparks. Red Guardian intercepts a flying vehicle intended for pedestrians, redirecting it into an empty avenue to avoid mass casualties. Yelena closes distance and tries to reach Bob physically, calling his name through the cacophony of alarms and sirens.

Valentina's assistant Mel appears on a catwalk above the fight. She carries a device--a physical killswitch--meant to override Bob's amplification circuits and force him into a dormant state. Mel has been waiting for the right window to use it. As Bob's rampage intensifies and he lunges at Valentina, who stands frozen amid the chaos, Mel leaps down and yells that she can stop him but only by initiating the killswitch. She slams the device against Bob's containment collar and activates it. For a moment Bob convulses; the raw energy dissipates as he tumbles to the pavement and appears to subside.

The moment the killswitch engages, a different phenomenon occurs: darkness blooms outward from Bob like spilled ink. The urban lighting grid flickers and dies; LED screens go black, traffic lights vanish, and windows lose illumination across blocks. The darkness is not simple absence of light--it manifests as a creeping, tangible void that absorbs heat and sound. People trapped in the dark slump to the ground as if an invisible hand presses on their chests. The Void, as Bucky comes to call it, ripples outward from Bob's fallen body and begins to enshroud the surrounding cityscape. Communication equipment malfunctions; radio transmissions become static. The physical world at the edges of the void twists--a streetlamp bends inward toward the darkness and melts into blackness.

Yelena steps forward, grabs Bob's wrist, and is pulled toward the blackness. The surface of the Void takes on a viscid quality and she is drawn into it headfirst. Inside, she does not perceive ordinary space; instead, she experiences a corridor of images and sounds--memories not only of Bob but of her own life. She hears distant voices that echo through the darkness: Natasha's laughter, orders barked by handlers, lively family meals jarringly interrupted by violence. Painful flashes of her past missions and the consequences of those missions bombard her, each memory manifesting as an obstacle she must pass. The Void attacks by dredging up guilt and remorse, using Yelena's past to distract her from Bob's current reality.

While Yelena fights through memory, the remaining Thunderbolts refuse to pull back. Bucky slams his shoulder into the barricade that forms between the Void and the living city, trying to hold it at bay with brute strength. Red Guardian uses his shield to batter at the edges, creating temporary openings through which civilian rescue teams can drag people free. Walker attempts to punch through the dark tendrils, but every strike sinks into nothingness like hitting smoke. Ava phases parts of the Void and extends her intangibility to create a path for Yelena; the strain of manipulating the Void's borders causes her to phase in and out with less control than usual, but she perseveres.

Inside the Void, Yelena reaches Bob. He occupies a spherical center of darkness and is alternately present as a frightened man and as a colossal figure of consuming shadow that throbs with destructive intent. The Void confronts Yelena by reshaping Bob's memories into monstrous tableaux: a child lying in a clinical bed, flashes of injections, and scientists arguing behind glass. Yelena speaks into the darkness; she does not attempt to overpower the entity physically. Instead, she recounts specific facts about Bob--personal, mundane details that Valentina's files do not contain--memories she extracts from their conversations since finding him. She tells Bob about the color of the mug he used to keep, the pattern of a bruise on his wrist, and a joke he made earlier that afternoon. Those details anchor Bob to his human identity rather than to the void that seeks to consume him.

Outside, the Thunderbolts coordinate to reinforce Yelena's tether. Bucky uses his cybernetic arm to generate electromagnetic pulses at the Void's periphery, disrupting its coherence for seconds at a time. Red Guardian creates audible beats with his shield to synchronize with Ava's phasing rhythm; together they produce alternating windows of solidity and intangibility through which Yelena can operate. Walker, battered but persistent, deploys a provocation strategy: he engages the Void's tendrils directly to draw their focus away from Yelena for a crucial beat. These combined efforts provide Yelena the opportunity to reach deeper into Bob's consciousness.

Yelena clutches Bob's wrist and refuses to let go. She recounts memories shared earlier--such as a name he muttered and a childhood fear--until Bob's speech becomes less fragmented. He cries out, and the monstrous shape that surrounds him stutters. The Void contracts, the blackness around the center wavers, and a current of warmth leaks back into the night. Bob's breathing steadies. The Void does not vanish immediately; it tightens like a fist and recoils, losing mass as Bob regains control. The darkness that had crept across neighborhoods recedes gradationally, the lights stuttering back to life like a city blinking awake. Civilians who were slumped begin to stir; paramedics take over. The physical damage remains--smashed facades, seared pavement, and lives knocked off their axis--but the immediate threat of the Void's expansion ends as Bob collapses into a deep sleep, exhausted.

Valentina, who had watched the event unfold from a surveillance station, attempts to regain control of the narrative. Before the Thunderbolts can detain or kill her, she stages a press interception. She broadcasts to international news channels that the entire crisis was a controlled demonstration--an introduction of a new collective of heroes who will fill the vacuum left by the disbanded Avengers. She claims that she orchestrated the event to show the need for a new team and that she has saved the world from the Sentry. Footage that Valentina releases to the networks portrays the Thunderbolts as agents in her program, and she frames the team's involvement as part of her plan from the outset.

The Thunderbolts react with anger and caution. They have physical evidence of Valentina's machinations and the orchestration of the assassination orders, but the public narrative is now favoring Valentina's version. Yelena, Walker, Ava, Bucky, and Red Guardian meet in a secure room to decide how to proceed. They agree they cannot allow Valentina to retain unchallenged political power; at the same time, they also recognize the tactical advantage of being presented publicly as a sanctioned team. Rather than immediately exposing Valentina, they accept the public designation that Valentina pushes--temporarily adopting the title "New Avengers" in her messaging--so they can operate with visibility and access while preserving the ability to reveal Valentina's crimes later if she crosses them again.

In the days after the confrontation, the group consolidates. Bob is transported to a monitored facility where specialists and the Thunderbolts keep watch. Mel is detained and questioned about her role; she provides testimony that deepens the team's understanding of Project Sentry. No other members of the team die in the battle; the only confirmed casualty is Antonia Dreykov, the Taskmaster, who dies when Ava's phasing causes his equipment to fail and he falls from the rooftop at the opening confrontation. The city begins to repair smashed streets and rebuild facades, and the Thunderbolts attend a staged public event arranged by Valentina in which they are introduced as the New Avengers. Valentina stands on a podium beside them and addresses a global audience, delivering a prepared statement about unity and security while cameras frame the Thunderbolts as a reassuring presence.

The film closes with the newly named New Avengers adjusting to the role the public and Valentina expect them to fill. They rehearse public-facing exercises, coordinate with municipal authorities on disaster response, and continue to monitor Bob's condition and Valentina's political moves. In the final sequence, the team looks upward from a rooftop in New York City as an alert notifies them of a new, unrelated crisis: a spacecraft is entering Earth's orbit. The camera follows their gaze to the sky where, painted in bold on the craft's hull, a large numeral 4 rotates into view. The New Avengers react to this new sign as the screen cuts to black, leaving the team poised to respond to the next emergent threat.

The ending of Thunderbolts (2025) centers on the team rallying around Bob, also known as The Sentry, as he battles his dark alter ego, The Void. The Thunderbolts support Bob emotionally and physically, helping him overcome the darkness within. The Void is defeated, light returns to Manhattan, and the citizens transformed into shadows revert to normal. The film closes with the Thunderbolts having saved the day not by brute force but by healing Bob from within.

Expanding on the ending scene by scene:

The climax unfolds with Bob, overwhelmed by The Void, a dark and destructive alter ego threatening to consume him entirely. The Thunderbolts find themselves unable to intervene directly at first, as The Void nearly overwhelms Bob. However, the team gathers around him, both literally and figuratively, reaching out to remind Bob that he is not alone. Each member affirms their support, rejecting the isolation and shame that The Void feeds on.

This moment of solidarity weakens The Void's hold. Bob hears the voices of his new friends, summoning the strength to fight back in an intense inner battle. With the Thunderbolts at his side, Bob confronts The Void, pushing with all his willpower to overcome the darkness. The shadow realm that The Void inhabits shatters like glass, and the real world begins to regain its light.

As sunlight breaks through over Manhattan, the dark energy dissipates. Citizens who had been transmuted into shadowy forms revert to their normal selves. The Thunderbolts' victory is not through overpowering a villain but through healing the man at the center of the conflict, Bob. This resolution is noted for its emotional depth and heart, unusual for a Marvel finale, highlighting the team's growth and unity.

Regarding the fate of the main characters involved in the ending:

• Bob / The Sentry: He overcomes his dark alter ego, The Void, with the help of the Thunderbolts, emerging healed and stronger.
• The Thunderbolts team: They stand united, their support crucial in Bob's victory. Their solidarity is a key theme in the resolution.
• Other characters like Yelena, Walker, Ghost, Red Guardian, and Bucky Barnes are involved in the broader story but the ending focuses on the team's emotional victory over The Void.

The post-credit scenes further set up the future of the MCU, showing the Thunderbolts rebranding as the new Avengers and hinting at the arrival of the Fantastic Four, but these occur after the main ending and focus on future storylines.

In the 2025 movie Thunderbolts | A Special Look, only one major character dies: Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov). She is killed early in the film by a gunshot to the head fired by Ava Starr (Ghost) during a confrontation at a remote facility. This death occurs as part of a covert assassination scheme orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, where several assassins are sent to eliminate each other. Taskmaster's death is sudden and brutal, marked by a point-blank headshot through her mask, and it happens before the film's first act concludes.

No other main or supporting hero characters die in the movie. Although The Void causes massive destruction in New York City, the victims apparently reappear later, indicating they do not die permanently. The rest of the Thunderbolts team, including Bob (Sentry), Yelena Belova, John Walker, and others, survive the events of the film.

Yes, the 2025 movie Thunderbolts | A Special Look has two post-credits scenes. The first is a mid-credits scene that is short and comedic, featuring one of the more humorous members of the team. The second is a longer, more significant post-credits scene that sets up future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) events, particularly the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and the Fantastic Four movie.

In the main post-credits scene, the team helps Bob Reynolds (played by the MCU's latest addition, Bob) defeat the Void, a dark personality that had taken over Bob's body and threatened the world. The Thunderbolts enter the Void's realm to reach the real Bob buried beneath the darkness. Together, they manage to lock the Void deep inside Bob instead of letting it take over completely.

Following this victory, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Val) spins the chaos to her advantage by publicly presenting the Thunderbolts as heroes, declaring them "The New Avengers." The world hails the Thunderbolts as the new protectors, marking a significant shift in their status.

The scene then transitions to a major arrival: the Fantastic Four's rocket lands, linking directly to the Fantastic Four First Steps trailer. This arrival is directed by the Russo Brothers and serves as a direct setup for Avengers: Doomsday, teasing a conflict between the New Avengers (the Thunderbolts) and Sam Wilson's Avengers team.

In summary, the post-credits scenes provide both a humorous moment and a pivotal narrative bridge to upcoming MCU films, highlighting the Thunderbolts' new role and introducing the Fantastic Four's entry into the ongoing saga.

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.