Unmasking the Stigma: Thunderbolts Gritty Look at Trauma & Healing

Mental health is not something you would typically think of when you think of a superhero film, right?You might think of lots of action and a heroic figure saving the day! Well, Marvel’s Cinematic Universe shifted that narrative when it came to Thunderbolts. Released in May of 2025, this film carried many themes of mental health and portrayed them quite boldly.

Thunderbolts is a superhero film about an unconventional group of anti-heroes who embark on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their past. The key characters all had visible struggles, including depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, shame, addiction, and loneliness. It’s one of few superhero films that fully embraced the complex- and human- theme of mental health struggles.

Thunderbolts excels not because it treats trauma and mental illness as a plot device, but as a central, humanizing force, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the conventional stigma associated with mental health.

This article will discuss why this film was so impactful and the healing that we all can choose when it comes to mental health struggles and the hurt we’ve been through.

Disclaimer: This article will discuss trauma and traumatic response patterns. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call, text, or chat 988. It is free and available 24/7.

One of the main characters of the film, Yelena (played by Florence Pugh), portrays an emotional numbness and isolation in response to her past. We can tell that there is a lot of hurt and shame that has not been dealt with, as later on she experiences flashbacks to those traumatic events. This was certainly relatable to many of us who struggle with coming face to face with our past hurt.

For context, a traumatic event is any situation that causes physiological, emotional, or physical harm. And the key factor about trauma is that it is up to the individual on whether they find an event traumatic. It’s all about perception.

In our world, we still very much have a stigma associated with mental health. We are making progress with being more open, but we are still collectively uncomfortable in dealing with people who are struggling with their mental health. People struggling are often seen as broken or unable to be dealt with. The characters in this film reflect that societal stigma of people with mental health struggles. They are cast aside, too much to deal with.

The villain in this film is not the typical one we think of in superhero movies (scary alien or monster from another planet). Instead, it is an internal force, a manifestation of the character’s shame and fear. A very powerful metaphor and physical embodiment of his phycological suffering. Notably, it is called The Void. The character, The Sentry/Bob, is played by Lewis Pullman, and he goes through quite a journey throughout the film.

Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms that interfere with daily life. Combined with trauma, this can be a very complex mental health condition to experience.

The Void is a spot-on name for going through something as heavy as that. In real life, this “void” may feel like an emptiness, an overwhelming sense of paralyzing numbness, which starts to take over our whole life. In the film, the big “fight scene” portrays the team having to actively confront their or his worst memories.

Avoidance, which is a common trauma response, only makes the internal “void” stronger. It just keeps growing and taking control. Facing the trauma, ideally with the support of others, is the best path to healing and taking back control. Yelena’s character even says “I’m here. You’re not alone” in a very moving scene.

The final conflict wasn’t a physical, superhero vs. villain fight, it was a culmination of connection, compassion and shared experience. Each character faced the overwhelming vulnerabilities to save their friend from “The Void”.

We can all gain a valuable lesson from this film. When we or someone we care about is struggling with their mental health, we don’t need to be the perfect “Avenger”. We need to just be present, compassionate, and respond with empathy.

This film shed light on the reality of mental health struggles and what it looks- and feels- like to face our past. It is a beautiful reminder that we cannot heal by ourselves. We must view strength through vulnerability, seek connection, and challenge the stigma of mental health. And that sometimes, we actually can be inspired by an action film about a team of anti-heroes who ended up on a healing journey together.

If you are in need of mental health support or resources, please contact 988. There are also great therapy services that help with the processing and healing journey from trauma, such as EMDR. Hope is available.