While in high school, I downloaded LimeWire so I could play old video games. After two weeks and a realization that I’d compromised my computer, I deleted it. Unfortunately, I also accidentally wiped my computer of most of the writing I’d done, causing me to panic. Five days and three failed attempts later, it dawned on me that I’d never see those files again. It took two years to get over the slump I fell into as a result.
Despite various attempts to try and move on, my depressive state consumed me. I rarely smiled, I struggled to eat, my sleep patterns were ruined and my schoolwork started to suffer in quality. It wasn’t until my senior year that I was able to actually move on. Even now, I sometimes regret not retrieving what I lost. It was tough.
I mention this because I hadn’t seen an action movie accurately portray the emptiness of depression until Thunderbolts*. I’d seen other genres deal with it, like Inside Out, but the action landscape felt more concerned with explosions and carnage. So it was to my surprise that a Marvel movie would finally tackle that. But that’s what happened.
Despite various attempts to try and move on, my depressive state consumed me. I rarely smiled, I struggled to eat, my sleep patterns were ruined and my schoolwork started to suffer in quality. It wasn’t until my senior year that I was able to actually move on. Even now, I sometimes regret not retrieving what I lost. It was tough.
I mention this because I hadn’t seen an action movie accurately portray the emptiness of depression until Thunderbolts*. I’d seen other genres deal with it, like Inside Out, but the action landscape felt more concerned with explosions and carnage. So it was to my surprise that a Marvel movie would finally tackle that. But that’s what happened.
Taking place after Captain America: Brave New World, the film centres around Yelena Belova, former Black Widow operative and step-sister to Natasha Romanov, spiralling into emotional emptiness over her thankless job. Despite being good at her work, Yelena longs for meaning, which she feels she’s lacking. When a botched attempt at being incinerated forces her to team up with fellow operatives, Yelena discovers a man, named Bob, who’s suffering from an identity crisis. Who’s Bob really, and is he as helpless as he believes?
Unlike many, I’ve enjoyed Marvel’s post-Phase 3 stuff a lot. Much of it’s been better than people let on, and some of it’s even fantastic. Still, I recognize that The MCU’s been having serious identity issues, throwing around ideas and stories that haven’t gone anywhere. It’s felt like the franchise has been unsure of itself in recent years, which is why Thunderbolts* is so remarkable. Like the titular heroine, this is the franchise finding its way after years in the dark.
Perhaps its biggest accomplishment is giving a face to depression. Sentry, the movie’s antagonist, isn’t evil. He’s also Bob, and he struggles with depression. He might be super-powered, but he’s also unstable. He has plenty of grief from the cards dealt to him, and it makes him dangerous as his darkest form. I like how that adds layers to him.
Unlike many, I’ve enjoyed Marvel’s post-Phase 3 stuff a lot. Much of it’s been better than people let on, and some of it’s even fantastic. Still, I recognize that The MCU’s been having serious identity issues, throwing around ideas and stories that haven’t gone anywhere. It’s felt like the franchise has been unsure of itself in recent years, which is why Thunderbolts* is so remarkable. Like the titular heroine, this is the franchise finding its way after years in the dark.
Perhaps its biggest accomplishment is giving a face to depression. Sentry, the movie’s antagonist, isn’t evil. He’s also Bob, and he struggles with depression. He might be super-powered, but he’s also unstable. He has plenty of grief from the cards dealt to him, and it makes him dangerous as his darkest form. I like how that adds layers to him.
Sentry’s instability manifests as a void of darkness. True to real life, Sentry’s most dangerous when he doesn’t feel anything. He absorbs others and spreads his darkness like a plague, a fitting representation of how depression can negatively impact those around us. It’s great writing, and I appreciate how, unlike past enemies, Bob’s only able to defeat this void with the help of his friends. Because no explosions or fistfights can overcome a hug.
This is the kind of writing I never thought I’d see from The MCU, but I’m glad I did. I like The MCU, but it routinely shies away from such material because it’s too emotionally-heavy. Thunderbolts*, however, tackles it without second-guessing itself, which I appreciate. It validates the concerns and frustrations surrounding depression in an honest and sensitive manner. It also does this with conversation, as opposed to violence.
Above everything, this is the most mature story The MCU has ever tackled. And I don’t mean that in a violent or sexual way. People complain that Marvel movies don’t “intellectually stimulate” their target audience, but here’s one that does that with a mental health disorder. Depression’s rarely outwardly-visible, so seeing Bob’s struggles visually is a great way to show how dangerous they are.
This is the kind of writing I never thought I’d see from The MCU, but I’m glad I did. I like The MCU, but it routinely shies away from such material because it’s too emotionally-heavy. Thunderbolts*, however, tackles it without second-guessing itself, which I appreciate. It validates the concerns and frustrations surrounding depression in an honest and sensitive manner. It also does this with conversation, as opposed to violence.
Above everything, this is the most mature story The MCU has ever tackled. And I don’t mean that in a violent or sexual way. People complain that Marvel movies don’t “intellectually stimulate” their target audience, but here’s one that does that with a mental health disorder. Depression’s rarely outwardly-visible, so seeing Bob’s struggles visually is a great way to show how dangerous they are.
That’s not to say the writing’s perfect. Aside from some jokes that don’t land, I’m disappointed Taskmaster was killed off early on. Additionally, Valentina, arguably the scummiest character, never received her comeuppance, instead becoming a PR person for “The New Avengers”. And speaking of which, the title, which was spoiled in the film’s marketing, isn’t that creative or exciting, even if it makes sense. So yes, the movie has its share of issues.
But none of that overrides its strengths, specifically how it humanizes and visualizes the brain imbalance known as Depression. The entire time I watched the movie, particularly the scenes with Bob, I felt a pang in my chest knowing that I’ve been there. Depression, or any other mental illness, isn’t fun. It’s often debilitating, despite what many may claim. In that sense, watching this validates it, and it validates it respectfully.
I know not everyone will like this movie. As with all MCU entries, your mileage will vary, and that’s okay. But if Thunderbolts* is indicative of anything, it’s that detractors have sold the franchise short. Because it still has some tricks and surprises up its sleeve, and this is one of them. I only hope that’s enough to win critics over.
But none of that overrides its strengths, specifically how it humanizes and visualizes the brain imbalance known as Depression. The entire time I watched the movie, particularly the scenes with Bob, I felt a pang in my chest knowing that I’ve been there. Depression, or any other mental illness, isn’t fun. It’s often debilitating, despite what many may claim. In that sense, watching this validates it, and it validates it respectfully.
I know not everyone will like this movie. As with all MCU entries, your mileage will vary, and that’s okay. But if Thunderbolts* is indicative of anything, it’s that detractors have sold the franchise short. Because it still has some tricks and surprises up its sleeve, and this is one of them. I only hope that’s enough to win critics over.
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