Skip to main content
  • TotalFilm
  • Edge
  • Newsarama
  • Retrogamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies
  4. Marvel Movies
  5. Thunderbolts

Hideo Kojima gives his verdict on Thunderbolts – and he liked it more than Captain America: Brave New World

News
By Megan Garside published 12 May 2025

Social media's best film critic has spoken!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Florence Pugh as Yelena in Marvel's Thunderbolts
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
1
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The internet’s favorite film reviewer, Hideo Kojima, has finally shared his thoughts on Marvel’s newest movie, Thunderbolts*, and it's his most positive MCU review of the year.

The game developer took to Twitter on May 11 to let his followers know just what he thinks of Thunderbolts. "I watched Thunderbolts*," said Kojima. "It’s not about eliminating a powerful external enemy to save the world. It’s about embracing lonely individuals and rescuing the audience from their own inner enemies. A truly kind-hearted MCU film."

However, it seems as though star Florence Pugh, who plays Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow’s rebellious younger sister Yelena Belova, seems to have stolen the show for Kojima, as he wrote, "...above all, Florence Pugh was phenomenal." Check out the full post below.

I watched “Thunderbolts*.” It’s not about eliminating a powerful “external enemy” to save the “world.” It’s about embracing lonely “individuals” and rescuing the “audience” from their own “inner enemies.” A truly “kind-hearted” MCU film. Jake Schreier’s sense of humor strikes a… pic.twitter.com/uwyViSwdO7May 11, 2025

Kojima’s Thunderbolts review is vastly different from what he had to say about Marvel’s first 2025 release, Captain America: Brave New World, which left the game designer in utter confusion. "I vaguely remember Sam receiving the shield in [Avengers: Endgame], but when did he officially become Cap?" asked Kojima via Twitter. "...I’m also getting it mixed up with the Thunderbolts trailer."

Of course, it is important to note that Kojima’s confusion over the fourth Captain America movie was probably due to him not having seen The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson officially donned the suit. However, this does reinforce the biggest problem with Marvel at the moment, in that you cannot watch a new MCU movie without having seen previous projects first.

Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts follows Marvel’s most unconventional group of antiheroes as they embark on a dangerous mission to save the world in the absence of The Avengers. Alongside Pugh, the movie stars Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), and Lewis Pullman (Bob).

Thunderbolts* is out now. For more, check out our guide to the other upcoming Marvel movies on the way in 2025 and beyond.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
Hideo Kojima
Megan Garside
Megan Garside
Social Links Navigation
Junior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Latest in Marvel Movies
A screenshot from a Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer clip featuring Spider-Man web-swinging while holding a man
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer launch – all the clips posted throughout the day from Spider-Man 4
 
 
Spider-Man: Brand New Day suit
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day's 24-hour trailer launch makes Avengers: Doomsday's cast reveal look small
 
 
Zendaya and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Superhero Movies Zendaya has seen a "good amount" of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and "feels very good about it"
 
 
Robert Downey Jr. in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement video
Marvel Movies The Oscars will have a "Marvel reunion," and MCU fans are wondering if it means an Avengers: Doomsday trailer is coming
 
 
Dafne Keen brandishing her claws as Laura/X-23 in Deadpool and Wolverine
Marvel Movies Marvel fans are debating whether Dafne Keen should become Wolverine or stay as X-23, and I've already chosen a side
 
 
Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Wyatt Russell as US Agent in Thunderbolts
Marvel Movies Marvel star Lewis Pullman puts Avengers: Doomsday cameo overload fears to rest: "Every character has their moment"
 
 
Latest in News
Grace enters a crime scene in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor "would love" to act in more video games: "I had so much fun"
 
 
Saga
Sci-Fi Movies Dune 3 reveals co-writer as Brian K. Vaughan, writer of one of the best comics of the 21st century
 
 
A screenshot of Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the best RPGs you can play in 2026
Games Daredevil actor Charlie Cox says he's acting in another video game after playing Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
 
 
Tangy TD developer Cakez appears emotional after learning of the game's sales
Games Solo dev breaks down in tears after opening Steam and learning his game made $250,000 in a week
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong looking angry with his arms raised
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza producer says the game's positive reception helps him "communicate the potential for that character"
 
 
Pikmin
Animated Movies New Super Mario Galaxy Movie teaser confirms that Pikmin will appear in the new movie
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Grace enters a crime scene in Resident Evil Requiem
    1
    Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor "would love" to act in more video games: "I had so much fun"
  2. 2
    Dune 3 reveals co-writer as Brian K. Vaughan, writer of one of the best comics of the 21st century
  3. 3
    Daredevil actor Charlie Cox says he's acting in another video game after playing Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
  4. 4
    Arc Raiders has a hidden "magic" system, and you've never noticed it because you're not supposed to
  5. 5
    Solo dev breaks down in tears after opening Steam and learning his game made $250,000 in a week

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...