The biggest issue with Marvel movies of late (which is actually last five years or so) has to be the fact that they all are primarily setting up something big, or trying to establish connection between this, that and them. Of course this is an universe thing and there's no harm in it but most of them didn't even feel like movies, let alone providing any kind of joy (baring the only exception, Guardians 3).

Thunderbolts*, thankfully, feels like a proper movie that is more concerned about its own arc than fitting into the scheme of the MCU. And fortunately, this is genuinely well-made. In fact, the brightest spot here is the whole mental health angle not coming off as a preachy gimmick. Lewis Pullman, who plays the 'supposed' villain gets a lot of focus from the beginning to end; and thanks to how well written the character is, the actor delivers. Pullman is easily the best thing here, who's ably ed by Florence Pugh - who finally establishes herself as a MCU star and Sebastian Stan - who is seldom not great in anything these days. Also, it's been ages since Marvel has actually given us an actually important post-credit scene.