by Dan Locke

Thunderbolts marks a significant departure for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on a team of anti-heroes rather than established superheroes. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film assembles a ragtag group of morally ambiguous characters – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster – under the dubious leadership of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The movie explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the search for purpose, all while delivering a healthy dose of action and humor.

One of the characters with the most strength is Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Let’s analyze the role of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Thunderbolts and explore the question of whether the Thunderbolts are the MCU’s “New Avengers.”

Valentina’s Role and Influence:

Character Introduction: Valentina, often referred to as Val, is a mysterious and powerful figure in the MCU. She first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and has also shown up in Black Widow. She operates in the shadows and appears to be recruiting individuals with unique skills and often questionable backgrounds, hinting at a larger, potentially sinister plan.

People forget she show up in Black Panther: Wakan

Master Manipulator: Valentina is the architect behind the Thunderbolts, handpicking individuals with unique skills and a willingness to operate in the morally gray areas of the MCU. She acts as the team’s handler, providing them with missions and direction.

Motivations Unclear: Valentina’s ultimate goals remain shrouded in mystery, creating suspense and uncertainty around the team’s actions and their overall place in the MCU. She seems to be building her own power base, and the Thunderbolts are just one piece of that puzzle.

Dreyfus’s Performance: Julia Louis-Dreyfus portrays Valentina with a cool, calculating demeanor, projecting a sense of power and control while masking her true intentions. Her performance adds layers of intrigue to the character, making her a compelling figure in the MCU.

Are the Thunderbolts the New Avengers?

Valentina’s Spin: In the climax of the movie, Valentina publicly rebrands the Thunderbolts as the “New Avengers,” a move that is more about controlling the narrative than an accurate reflection of the team’s identity. This act highlights Valentina’s manipulative nature and her desire to shape public perception.

Team’s Disapproval: The Thunderbolts, as a group, are not thrilled with this forced rebranding, as they understand their roles are more complex than the “hero” label suggests. This suggests a potential conflict between Valentina’s agenda and the team’s desire to chart their own path.

Not a Direct Replacement: The Thunderbolts are a very different team than the Avengers. The Avengers are known for their noble motivations and unwavering commitment to protecting the world. The Thunderbolts, on the other hand, are a collection of anti-heroes, each with their own checkered past and motivations. The “New Avengers” title is more of a PR move on Valentina’s part rather than an accurate representation of the team’s purpose.

Future Implications: The ambiguous nature of the Thunderbolts and their relationship with Valentina opens the door for interesting future storylines. Will they remain under her thumb? Will they ultimately turn against her? These questions make the Thunderbolts a dynamic and unpredictable force in the MCU.

In Conclusion:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a key figure in Thunderbolts, both as the assembler of the team and a driving force behind the narrative. However, the team’s rebranding as the “New Avengers” is more of a power move on Valentina’s part than a true reflection of the Thunderbolts’ identity or purpose. They are a unique and morally ambiguous group, not a direct replacement or successor to the Avengers.

By Rebecca Baker

Streaming on Prime Video

The arrival of Patrick into Marion and Tom’s home triggers the exploration of seismic events from 40 years previously.

Director- Michael Grandage

Writers- Ron Nyswaner(screenplay by)Bethan Roberts(based upon the book by)

Starring- Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, and Gina McKee

My Policeman is a story of three selfish characters whose worst instincts are fueled by the oppressive times they live in; a time when homosexuality was punishable by imprisonment. I’m not sure if one or the other of these three was intended to be a villain, but none are particularly sympathetic. Late in life, Marion does the heroic thing of bringing an invalid (Patrick) into the home she shares with Tom, the titular Policeman. Is this an act of kindness and sacrifice on Marion’s part? Is it really heroic? Or is she trying to punish Tom? Or Patick? Or herself, for that matter? 

What once seemed a warm friendship turned sour when Marion realized—on her honeymoon—that Tom and Patrick were carrying on an affair. In keeping up appearances of propriety, Marion settled for an unfulfilling life (emotionally and sexually) rather than leave Tom. She did not let on that she knew of the love affair. Tom was physically drawn to Patrick, but also drawn to the façade of living a normal life. He went between his wife and his lover as his whims carried him. That is, until he went to Venice with Patrick and Marion could take no more. She reported Patrick for suspicion of his unacceptable lifestyle which led to his incarceration. The beatings he suffered at the hands of other prisoners may likely have led to the stroke that put him in Tom and Marion’s home. 

While central to the storyline set in 1950’s England, Tom is mysteriously scarce in the 1990’s. When he is seen, he’s inexplicably hostile/angry towards Marion for caring for Patrick’s needs. After reflecting upon her life while also seeing into Tom and Patrick’s shared moment’s through Patrick’s diaries, Marion decides to leave them both. Unfortunately, she makes this decision about forty years too late.