Everything we said in our recent Thunderbolts* movie review is true: The film is a good time despite following the not-always-perfect Marvel Cinematic Universe formula. But it's also much darker than I expected. Much more raw and unfiltered. I'm not used to leaving an MCU showing unable to shake off a distinct heaviness left by a story that didn't try to appeal to my ever-growing desire for genuine, joyous escapism.
Of course we laughed -- you can't put Florence Pugh at the center of an MCU adventure and expect anything less. But jokes aside, I also found myself trying to laugh off the "hitting too close to home" moments. The void, the weight of darkness, admitting a lack of purpose or desire to move forward -- these aren't just superpowered heroes up there. They're us. They're me.
The MCU has gone to some fairly grim places before, and many of its characters have backstories that explain and sometimes even justify their ongoing inner torment. In that regard, on the surface, Thunderbolts* is nothing new. But it did happen to release at a very uncertain time in our world -- a time when many of us are feeling as though even our collective actions toward trying to save the world almost never feel like enough.
The filmm despite its heartbreaking themes, does radiate an essential message of hope. That if you're lucky enough to find the right people and vulnterable enough to let them help you, you'll never truly be alone. That's the part that sticks with me the most. We're all feeling extremely lonely for a number of reasons, and we so often find ourselves trapped in an endless cycle of isolation because we're tricked into believing that no one else feels the way we do. It couldn't be further from the truth.
Thunderbolts* was both enjoyable and difficult to experience. Perhaps, like me, you were tempted to conclude that this wasn't the movie you wanted right now. It's too sad, these characters' tragedies are too real and their vices too relatable. But that's exactly why we need it. We needed a story of heroes who weren't looking to save the world -- they were merely searching for an escape from their endless despair. In finding each other, they found purpose, and gave other people hope.
To be reminded of the importance of community, of finding help in the people around you no matter how much you think you don't need it -- who among us isn't tempted to reject that message, despite how comforting it really is underneath?