Key players include Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster, each bringing unique backgrounds that set the stage for a darker chapter in the MCU.

Avengers' film starring Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh and David Harbour is enjoyably more down to earth than some recent Marvel movies.

But Thunderbolts* feels like an MCU throwback in the best way, one that allows its characters and own story to be the main focus rather than wider concerns. Like James Gunn did with Guardians 3, director Jake Schreier has been able to put his own stamp on it.