🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ben Falcone
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Superhero, Science Fiction
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 46min
- IMDb rating: 4.4/10 (68K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two middle-aged besties accidentally get superpowers, eat a lot of raw chicken, and then punch a guy with crab arms, all to stop a supervillain mayor from blowing up the city because he lost an election; basically, a really weird Chicago field trip.
🍿 Thunder Force: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Rise of Miscreants and Emily’s Determination
In 1983, cosmic rays bestowed superpowers upon sociopaths, leading to the emergence of supervillains known as ‘Miscreants.’ These villains terrorized the world, leaving ordinary people living in fear. One such Miscreant killed geneticist parents of young Emily Stanton, fueling her lifelong determination to find a way to fight back. She dedicated her life to finding a way to give normal people superpowers.

Childhood Friendship and a Lab Accident
During her research years, Emily made only one friend, Lydia Berman who was loyal and supportive of her dreams. Years later, when Lydia tries to reconnect with Emily, she accidentally injects herself with Emily’s experimental serum designed to grant superhuman strength. This sets off a chain of events that forces them to work together, as Emily starts a course of injections for herself to become invisible. This is how Thunder Force is created.

Becoming Thunder Force and Facing The King
After completing their training, Emily (Bingo) and Lydia (The Hammer) become the superhero team known as Thunder Force. They start fighting crime and quickly gain recognition, attracting the attention of William ‘The King’ Stevens, a mayoral candidate campaigning on ending Miscreant crime. The King is secretly a Miscreant himself who hires the supervillain Laser, and plots to eliminate Thunder Force to secure his power. The girls ultimately support the rival mayoral candidate, endangering their lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Lydia Berman (Melissa McCarthy): A loyal but impulsive woman who accidentally gains super strength and becomes part of Thunder Force.
- Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer): A brilliant scientist who develops superpowers and becomes the brains behind Thunder Force.
- The King (Bobby Cannavale): The corrupt mayoral candidate and super-powered Miscreant who seeks to control Chicago.
- The Crab (Jason Bateman): A Miscreant with crab arms who works for The King and develops a complicated relationship with Lydia.
- Laser (Pom Klementieff): A Miscreant with energy whip powers who serves as The King’s enforcer.
- Tracy (Taylor Mosby): Emily’s intelligent daughter who eventually joins the fight against the Miscreants.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lydia: “Did we just become superheroes?” – Lydia says this in disbelief and excitement after realizing she has super strength.
- The Crab: “You’re different, Lydia. You see me for who I am… which is a misunderstood crustacean.” – The Crab expresses his affection for Lydia, highlighting the film’s quirky humor.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Thunder Force Reviews
Personal Review
Honestly, I went in expecting a hilarious superhero flick, but it was kind of a letdown. Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer have great chemistry, but the jokes felt forced. Jason Bateman as The Crab was definitely the highlight, his scenes were genuinely funny. While it wasn’t the worst movie, it’s not one I’d rush to watch again, but it’s ok to watch it once and just laugh and have fun!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Melissa McCarthy’s comedic style”
- “Viewers looking for a lighthearted superhero spoof”
- “Those who enjoy buddy comedies with strong female leads”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some strong language”
- “Suggestive humor”
- “Superhero action violence”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “While the pairing of McCarthy and Spencer holds promise, the film’s humor often feels forced, and the plot is predictable. Ultimately, ‘Thunder Force’ misses the mark, failing to deliver the comedic punch and superhero action it aims for.
- JoBlo.com: “Thunder Force attempts to blend superhero action with buddy comedy, but it mostly just feels like a vehicle for Melissa McCarthy’s brand of humor. Octavia Spencer is wasted, and the plot is flimsy. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from super.
Audience Reactions
Jason Bateman’s portrayal of The Crab was a surprisingly hilarious and memorable part of the movie.: Many viewers found the movie enjoyable as a lighthearted and silly comedy, despite its flaws.
Overall Consensus: Thunder Force is a lighthearted superhero comedy that struggles to fully deliver on its potential, with some viewers finding the humor forced and the plot uninspired, though Jason Bateman’s performance is a highlight.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer have been friends for over 20 years, which helped create their on-screen chemistry.”
- “Ben Falcone, Melissa McCarthy’s husband, directed and wrote the film, continuing their collaborative partnership in comedy.”
- “The film’s premise plays on the idea of subverting superhero tropes by featuring unconventional heroes in terms of age and body type.”
🖥️ How to Watch Thunder Force?
Thunder Force is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original movie, it is not available for purchase or rental on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. A Netflix subscription is required to watch this film.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Thunder Force, you might like these similar films:
- Spy (2015): Shares Melissa McCarthy’s comedic style in an action-oriented setting, focusing on an unlikely hero.
- The Mask (1994): Features a regular person gaining extraordinary abilities and fighting crime with comedic results.
- My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006): Involves a superhero relationship with comedic elements and an unconventional take on superhero themes.
🛒 Thunder Force Related Products
- Thunder Force: The Graphic Novel: Explore the origin story of Thunder Force in this exclusive digital comic! Delve deeper into the world of Miscreants and the events that shaped Emily and Lydia’s destinies. Learn about their pasts and their struggles.
- Thunder Force: Power Punch Training Set: Get ready to train like Lydia with this exclusive training set! Includes mini weights, exercise band, and inspirational posters. This set allows young fans to engage in the themes of power and determination.
- Thunder Force Board Game: Team up with your friends to defeat the Miscreants in this cooperative board game. Use your unique superpowers to strategize and save Chicago! Perfect for family game night.
- Thunder Force T-Shirt – Team Logo: Show your support for the superhero duo with this officially licensed Thunder Force t-shirt. Features the iconic team logo and is available in various sizes. Made of super soft material!
🎧 Soundtrack
Thunder Force features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Thunder Force is rated PG-13 for language and superhero action violence. While it’s a comedy, parents should be aware of some mature language and suggestive humor. It’s generally suitable for older kids and teens but not for young children.
As of now, there are no confirmed plans for Thunder Force 2. However, the ending leaves room for potential sequels, and the popularity of the cast could lead to future installments if Netflix decides to move forward.
The Crab is a Miscreant with crab-like claws, played by Jason Bateman. He’s initially an antagonist working for The King but develops a romantic interest in Lydia, leading to a complicated alliance.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Funniest Bloopers From Thunder Force ft. Melissa McCarthy | Netflix
Ever wonder what it’s like on the set of a comedy movie? This blooper reel from Thunder Force will give you a good laugh and show you how much fun Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer had while filming. It’s guaranteed to crack you up!
Thunder Force (2021) | How Jason Bateman Got Crab Claws For Arms | Netflix
Remember that weird character with crab claws for arms? This video breaks down the scene where they explain *why* he has them, and it’s way more messed up than you’d expect. Honestly, it’s kinda hilarious and adds a whole new layer to the movie.
Laser- All Powers from Thunder Force
Curious about Laser’s powers in Thunder Force? This video shows all of Laser’s powers from the movie, including electrokinesis and durability. It’s a cool breakdown if you want a better grasp of what she can do!
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