Or “How a movie about superheroes supports mental health conversations for educators.”

TL/DR: Marvel’s Thunderbolts* isn’t just another superhero movie—it’s a groundbreaking exploration of depression, trauma, and healing that offers educators an unprecedented opportunity to engage students in meaningful conversations about mental health, community support, and emotional resilience.

A superhero movie that dares to be about something real

I saw Thunderbolts* with my teenagers the weekend it premiered, but I saved writing about it until I’d had time to reflect. The movie explores themes of isolation, trauma, and the power of asking for help, making it a very personal story for Marvel. Unlike the typical action-packed editions of the Universe, this movie centers mental health as its core narrative.

Potential spoiler here, but I did wait about a month to post this blog… it uses the metaphor of “The Void”—a literal manifestation of depression—to create a visual representation of mental illness, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder, and how cognitive behavioral therapy helps someone recover.

The film opens with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh’s character, Black Widow’s sister) jumping off a skyscraper while narrating her feelings of emptiness and purposelessness—a powerful, emotional scene that Florence Pugh apparently fought to keep in the film. This isn’t played for shock value; it’s a genuine exploration of what depression might feel like from the inside.

Why this matters

Thunderbolts* tackles depression in both the literal and figurative sense in a manner that speaks to a generation who grew up on the comic book movies. Our students have already lived through all kinds of global challenges—the COVID-19 pandemic, climate anxiety, social media pressures, and economic uncertainty. The movie’s central message is simple yet striking: sometimes all we really need is a reminder that we’re not alone, that there are people who care about us, and that the world wouldn’t necessarily be a better place without us in it.

Themes for discussion at school

1. Depression and mental health stigma

The film portrays depression not as a character flaw but as something that can affect anyone—even superheroes. It’s remarkable how many times the phrase “I’m fine”, “It’s fine”, or some variation is heard in Marvel’s Thunderbolts*, reflecting how often people mask their struggles.

2. Community and connection

Community and connection are some of the most important tools to fight against depression and other mental health struggles. More spoiler here: the film’s climax isn’t won through violence but through the characters literally embracing someone in crisis, showing that the best way to combat loneliness is not to be alone. I think the world could solve many of its problems through a little more personal connection.

3. Trauma and recovery

Each hero carries shame and starts the movie isolated. When the Void starts to take New York, Yelena steps in… One by one, each hero enters the void believing in Yelena. Each of them fights through their memories to find Bob and Yelena. This powerfully illustrates how healing happens in community. I loved the way Yelena looked at Bob in his biggest time of need. She didn’t just ask him to take her with him into the dark past – she told him to show her the worst.

The film shows that seeking help isn’t weakness—it’s necessary for survival and growth.

I used Claude to brainstorm some ways this can be covered in a classroom setting. Of course, use your judgement when working with your students based on their needs, culture, age, and backgrounds. I reviewed and edited the ideas, and have included them here.

Practical Classroom Applications

Pre-Viewing Discussion Questions

• What does the word “hero” mean to you? Can someone struggling with mental health still be heroic?
• How do you think trauma might affect someone’s ability to trust others?
• What are healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions?

Post-Viewing Reflection Activities

1. Character Analysis Papers – Have students choose one character and analyze their emotional journey throughout the film. Questions to explore:

• What trauma or challenge does this character face?
• How do they initially cope with their struggles?
• What changes by the end of the film?
• What real-world parallels can you draw?

2. The Metaphor of “The Void” – Lead a class discussion about how the film uses “The Void” as a metaphor for depression. Students can:

• Create their own metaphors for difficult emotions
• Discuss how visualization can help us understand mental health
• Explore how external support helps characters face their internal struggles

3. Community Support Mapping – Have students create “support maps” identifying:

• People they can turn to when struggling
• Warning signs that someone might need help
• Resources available in their school and community
• Ways they can support friends facing difficulties

4. Class Discussion Starters

• “Which character’s struggle felt most relatable to you, and why?”
• “How does the film challenge stereotypes about what strength looks like?”
• “What surprised you about how the characters supported each other?”
• “If you could give advice to one of these characters, what would you say?”

Cross-Curricular Connections

Language Arts – Analyze:

• The use of metaphor and symbolism in storytelling
• Character development and redemption arcs
• The power of narrative to create empathy
• How media representation affects social understanding

Social Studies – Explore:

• The social impact of trauma on communities
• How societies support (or fail to support) mental health
• The role of stigma in preventing people from seeking help
• Historical and cultural perspectives on mental health

The Bigger Picture: Why this all matters

In many ways, Thunderbolts* feels like a companion movie to Pixar’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, for a slightly older audience, that can be a tool to help teens and young adults understand feelings of depression and loneliness.

As educators, we have the opportunity to use this film’s powerful message to:

• Normalize conversations about mental health
• Teach students that seeking help is a sign of strength
• Model how communities can support struggling individuals
• Demonstrate that everyone deserves compassion and understanding

By bringing Thunderbolts* into our classrooms thoughtfully and safely, we’re not just teaching about a movie—we’re teaching about empathy, resilience, and the fundamental truth that none of us has to face our darkness alone.