It is funnily paradoxical how the MCU is back to 'dark & gritty' with Thunderbolts* while DCEU tried and failed with the same formula

The early reviews for Thunderbolts* are out, and they are mainly focusing on the fact that this new MCU entry is "dark" and "complex" and brings back the old MCU magic to the screen. That seems surprising since the MCU has often focused on relatively light-hearted and wholesome entertainment. They often included some jokes to lighten the mood when things got dark, whether literally or metaphorically.

So, "darkness" has not been a penchant for the MCU as it has been for the DCEU (Extended Universe). Christopher Nolan may have set the precedent with his Batman trilogy, which offered gritty and grounded stories that embraced darkness. Although big-budget blockbusters, these movies explored a grim world where Bruce Wayne questioned his origins while the villains dropped some truth bombs that people would hesitate to admit.

After its conclusion with The Dark Knight Rises, the DC-adjacent projects were significantly darker, whether Man of Steel, Dawn of Justice, or Justice League. They did not rely much on comic relief and focused on how power and responsibility affect these heroes. The characters were oftentimes morally grey, and the movies were self-serious, unlike the MCU projects. However, the latest Thunderbolts* reviews make it seem like the MCU is embracing a DCEU formula.

The early reviews for Thunderbolts* show the MCU going the "dark and gritty" DCEU way

If you take a shot every time someone calls it dark, you will surely be drunk by the end! However, many MCU fans believe that this "darkness" is precisely what the universe needs.

Matt Neglia from Next Big Picture begins his X (formerly Twitter) post by saying:

"THUNDERBOLTS* is, in many ways, different from other MCU films that have come before it, and that freshness couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time when the franchise is in need of new blood and direction."

He further discusses the flawed characters in Thunderbolts* that give it an edge over the recent MCU offerings:

"It’s some of Marvel’s darkest material to date, dealing with the emotional wreckage of broken individuals grappling with their past choices and finding camaraderie amidst the emptiness of their lives.—It may not be the flashiest, funniest, or strongest Marvel film, but its rough edges and imperfections somehow all feel fitting for this anti-hero team of misfits."

Neglia's comments make sense since the movie shows these emotionally wounded characters seeking justice to redeem themselves. So, they aren't exactly like the Avengers, who acted to protect others. While not selfish, their motives seem far more personal. They want to defeat the darkness as they want to prove that their flaws or imperfections do not define them.

In line with Neglia's comments, other reviews also spoke about Thunderbolts*' grittier tone. Amon Warmann said that it is:

"A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront."

Mia Pflüger spoke about Florence Pugh's performance as Yelena Belova by saying,

"Florence Pugh brings Yelena Belova to another level in #Thunderbolts*. She brings her another layer of vulnerability, strength, and also imperfection."

Brandan Norwood pointed out that Thunderbolts* is:

"Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel that has us for a decade plus. Wish we'd gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry too."

All these comments also tie in with the fact that Thunderbolts* has received a PG-13 rating with a "strong violence" verdict, reportedly making it the first since Iron Man.

DCU is heading into the Marvel territory of emotional storytelling

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Avengers: Endgame felt like the end of an era to the MCU fans, who have been looking forward to this team-up for years. However, after the Infinity Saga, Marvel has been struggling with either the audience or the critics. There hasn't been a unanimously praised project under their wings until Deadpool & Wolverine, which shattered box office records despite being an R-rated movie. So, that may have led the studio to a creative overhaul to emphasize similar movies that push the boundaries instead of staying in their lane of wholesome entertainment.

MCU may not be the only one going through a creative re-adjustment. The latest DC project, Superman, makes it look like the emotional storytelling that Marvel has often banked on. While there might still be some dark themes, it does not look remotely as dark as the Zack Snyder projects that the DCEU brought to life. You can't help but see this as a strategic decision to steer the ship farther instead of letting it sink due to a lack of creative change.

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