Thunderbolts*: Superhero Story of Trauma and Self-acceptance

As a huge Marvel fan, Thunderbolts* was one of the movies I was most looking forward to this year. When it hit theatres a few months ago, I walked in expecting the usual— big action scenes, epic battles, and classic superhero moments. But what I got was something quite different, and honestly, even more meaningful. Thunderbolts* isn't just a typical action-packed Marvel film. It’s also a powerful story about mental health, and I think it’s a film worth talking about.

(Spoilers ahead, read with caution!)

The movie is about a team of anti-heroes known as the Thunderbolts and their battle against The Sentry. The Sentry is a character who can read and control minds, forcing people to relive their most painful memories. Each Thunderbolt member carries their own emotional baggage, and the only way they can defeat The Sentry is by confronting the trauma they've tried to bury. For example, the main character Yelena was once a Russian assassin. When she comes under The Sentry’s control, she is trapped in a heartbreaking loop. She keeps reliving the childhood moment where her actions accidentally led to the death of her best friend. To break the loop, she has to face the guilt and start healing from it.

But to me, the most complex and touching character isn’t any of the Thunderbolts but The Sentry himself— Robert “Bob” Reynolds. He’s a man torn between three parts of himself:

1. Bob, the original self, full of self-doubt and never feeling good enough;
2. The Sentry, overly confident and arrogant, overcompensating his inner inferiority and trauma through his superpowers;
3. The Void, the darkest part of his mind, representing all the trauma he’s tried to suppress.

These sides of him show how he reacts differently to trauma.

One line that really stuck with me was when Bob muttered "always making things worse" to himself. That honest moment showed just how lost and helpless he felt. And maybe you've had those thoughts too, even if just for a second. At the beginning of the film, Yelena tells Bob to "shove it way down" and “push it down” when feeling a void. It reflects a common myth in our society— ignoring emotional wounds will make them go away. But the movie challenges that idea.

Instead of ending in a typical Marvel-style showdown, the final act is about each team member bravely confronting The Void, symbolizing them to grow through their trauma and pain. Yelena, in particular, goes through a powerful transformation. She starts off believing that suppressing her pain is the best way to heal, but after facing The Void, she realizes that accepting and living with those memories is the real path toward healing. In the film’s climax, the team helps Bob overcome The Void. Not through force, but by helping him accept that The Void is a part of him, and leading him to find liberation from pain.

Yelena’s realization is actually supported by a therapy approach in psychology called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A UK study found that avoiding painful memories can actually slow down recovery and keep negative emotions stuck (Pineles et al., 2011). On the other hand, accepting your experiences and emotions, rather than fighting them, can build resilience and self-compassion (Dvir et al., 2021).

Yelena’s shift in perspective, and Bob’s struggle between denial, overcompensation, and eventually self-acceptance, show us what a healthy path to healing can look like. The movie reminds us that everyone has their own pace and way of dealing with pain. Just because someone isn’t ready to face their past doesn't mean they’re weak or incomplete. What matters most is having people who are willing to stand by you with empathy, respect, and support. That kind of presence can become the strength that someone needs to begin their journey of healing. And that, I believe, is the key message of Thunderbolts*.

If this resonates with you, I truly recommend giving the film a watch. It’s more than just a superhero story. It’s a story about trauma, redemption, and healing. I believe it will bring you new insights and inspiration.

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Reference:

1. Pineles, Suzanne L et al. “Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: a moderating relationship?” Journal of Abnormal Psychology vol. 120,1 (2011): 240-6. doi:10.1037/a0022123
2. Dvir, Yael, et al. "Trauma, PTSD, and Trauma-Informed Care for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System." Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, June 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212144718303363.