It must be lonely being a superhero. Think about it. Why else would they like company so much? They’re like cape-wearing Shriners or Knights of Pythias: Avengers, Justice League, Fantastic Four (“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” comes out July 25), Eternals, Thunderbolts.
Or as the title of the movie has it, “Thunderbolts*.” It’s usually not a good sign when something comes with an asterisk attached, and that’s the case here. The movie’s first 40 minutes are pretty good, actually, but don’t get your superhopes up. By the end of this latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Thunderbolts are labeled the New Avengers. They’re pretty much a junior-varsity squad in the superhero league, though — new, yes; improved, no.
The standout in both movie and group is Yelena Belova, introduced as the title character’s kid sister back in “Black Widow” (2021). Yelena doesn’t have superpowers, but she has a lot of firepower — and blade power — punch and kick power, too. As played by Florence Pugh, she’s the best thing in the movie, as matter-of-factly insolent as she is matter-of-factly lethal.
Also here from “Black Widow” is David Harbour, as Yelena’s stepfather. Now he’s Red Guardian. Pugh’s Russian accent is spot on. Harbour’s is Trans-Siberian broad: too much borscht in too small a bowl. Also, considering the troubles Harbour’s character in “Stranger Things” has had with the Soviets, there’s a risk of viewer cognitive dissonance watching his antics here.
Wyatt Russell plays John Walker, a former Captain America (yes, that’s confusing — the “C” in MCU should stand for “confusion”). Hannah John-Kamen is Ava Starr, a.k.a. Ghost. The best-known Thunderbolt is Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. Winter Soldier. Bucky’s now a freshman congressman. In his previous role, Sebastian Stan earned a best actor Oscar nomination, playing Donald Trump (“The Apprentice,” 2024). Politics seems to have become a specialty.
The baddie the Thunderbolts are up against is CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a name so silly it’s worth giving in full. As played with phony-smile gusto by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, she’s the Cruella de Ville of Langley (right down to the white lightning-streak in her hair — aha, Thunderbolts/lightning). What a Dolores Umbridge Louis-Dreyfus could be in an American version of “Harry Potter.” Playing De Fontaine’s executive assistant is Geraldine Viswanathan, who’s as appealing, and put upon, as she was in “Drive-Away Dolls” (2024).
The wild card here is a barefoot guy named Bob. Bob, it turns out, was the subject of some experiments in Malaysia that — well, never mind. Is he Thunderbolt nemesis or ally? Let’s hope the former, since as de Fontaine says, “He’s stronger than all of the Avengers rolled into one and soon to be known as Earth’s mightiest hero.” What is so peculiar about this description is that, as played by Lewis Pullman, Bob gives off a distinctly Keanu Reeves vibe: amiable, slightly blank, a bit disengaged. Say what you will about superheroes (supervillains, too): Disengagement tends not to be an issue.
No thanks to Bob, de Fontaine is in danger of being impeached — a word that’s become rather fraught over the past few years — and when she announces, “I determine how to keep the American people safe, answering to no one and unimpeachable,” that sounds even more loaded. Throw in the fact that Russell, with his beard and deep-set eyes, looks like a version of J.D. Vance who’s cut back on the groceries, and, well, who knows what those Hollywood liberals are up to.
“Thunderbolts*” may be the MCU’s most political movie — or not: There’s that waterboarding torture scene in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007). It’s definitely the most touchie-feelie. There are multiple flashbacks to several characters’ childhoods, and a lot of serious self-realization is going on. Yelena and her stepfather have major family issues, as do both John Walker and Bob (him, especially).
The movie’s ostensible climax is, as one has come to expect, some major New York City smash-crash-bash. With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 coming up next year, such scenes are getting a bit … unnerving. But the real climax comes via several of the characters confronting their inner demons. It’s like an episode of “Dr. Phil,” only with CGI. Just to make sure we get the point, there’s a reference to the show. Or should that be “Dr. Phil*”?
★★
THUNDERBOLTS*
Directed by Jake Schreier. Written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo. Starring Florence Pugh, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, Geraldine Viswanathan. At Boston theaters, Kendall Square, West Newton, suburbs. 126 minutes. PG-13 (not for younger kids; besides lots, and lots, of violence, there are scenes of children in peril and, in one case, a child gets murdered — yup, that’s right, Marvel is owned by Disney)
Mark Feeney can be reached at mark.feeney@globe.com.