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Action comedy

Thunder Force (2021): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch

Thunder Force (2021) movie poster

Thunder Force is a 2021 action comedy directed by Ben Falcone, starring Jason Bateman as The Crab, Bobby Cannavale and Pom Klementieff. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
22%
Echo Score
48
Metascore
34
Thunder Force (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Ben Falcone
Genres
Action , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Thunder Force About?

The premise of Thunder Force without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

When a mysterious force grants them superpowers, childhood best friends Lydia and Emily reunite to become Thunder Force. They must work together to combat a league of supervillains known as the Miscreants, who are terrorizing their city. Emily’s brilliant mind pairs with Lydia’s daring nature as they face off against foes like The Crab, Laser, and The King. Their contrasting personalities and unbreakable bond lead to a hilarious and action-packed journey to save the day.

Thunder Force Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • superhero
  • superhero team
  • interracial friendship
  • supervillain
  • estranged friend
  • mother daughter relationship
  • female entrepreneur
  • throwing a bus
  • taser
  • jumping through a window
  • mayoral election
  • non comic book superhero
+38 more
  • power
  • interracial cooperation
  • invisibility
  • dance scene
  • mayoral candidate
  • mother daughter talk
  • first date
  • female mayor
  • knock knock joke
  • friend
  • old friend
  • protective suit
  • city
  • gadget
  • robbery
  • diner
  • diner owner
  • proud mother
  • restaurant
  • superhero action
  • title spoken by character
  • elevator
  • chicago illinois
  • suit
  • singing in a car
  • reference to slayer
  • reference to glenn frey
  • reference to van halen
  • saying grace
  • redheaded woman
  • reference to seal
  • superheroine
  • female protagonist
  • fight
  • defend
  • treatment
  • villain
  • superhero adventure
Where to watch

Where to Watch Thunder Force

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Thunder Force Cast & Characters

Jason Bateman leads the cast as The Crab, with Bobby Cannavale as The King and Pom Klementieff as Laser. Directed by Ben Falcone; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Thunder Force

· 6 more
Ratings

Thunder Force Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Thunder Force 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (35).

48 /100

Thunder Force Echo Score Breakdown

Thunder Force offers a mixed experience, balancing some entertaining moments with significant structural weaknesses. The film benefits from its world-building elements and the committed performances of its leads, but its comedic timing and narrative coherence frequently falter. Pacing shifts at awkward points, and tonal inconsistencies undermine both the action and humor. While occasional gags land successfully, the overall impact is diluted by predictable plotting and uneven execution. The net impression is a film with sparks of enjoyment overshadowed by persistent flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    Art & Craft aspect demonstrates modest visual engagement supported by its production design and costuming. The film’s backgrounds and world-building show occasional creativity, and the makeup and set details communicate the superhero premise effectively. However, cinematography remains functional rather than inspired, and editing choices sometimes dilute the energy of action sequences. Overall, the visual craftsmanship provides moments of interest but rarely achieves sustained stylistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character depth, the film offers a blend of strong central performances and underdeveloped arcs. Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer anchor the narrative with reliable humor and presence, yet many supporting figures remain one-dimensional and the emotional resonance is uneven. Chemistry between the leads occasionally falters during improvised exchanges. Ultimately, the portrayal of relationships yields intermittent warmth that is hindered by inconsistent character development.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, Thunder Force relies on a familiar superhero formula that seldom surprises. The premise of two friends reuniting with powers establishes initial interest, but the progression quickly becomes predictable and the pacing uneven. Instances of original world-building are undermined by lapses into formulaic plot beats and abrupt tonal shifts. Consequently, narrative engagement is sporadic, and the storyline fails to sustain momentum or depth.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering sensory experience, the film offers occasional auditory and visual highlights but lacks consistent stylistic cohesion. Costume designs and sound design moments enhance the superhero setting, and select humorous sound cues register effectively. However, the musical score generally remains unobtrusive and sound mixing does not elevate comedic or action sequences. Overall, sensory elements contribute sporadically to the film’s atmosphere without producing a unified aesthetic impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    With regard to rewatch factor, Thunder Force exhibits limited replay value due to its uneven execution and hit-or-miss humor. While a few comedic set pieces and the leads’ performances invite subsequent viewings, inconsistent pacing and repetitive jokes diminish long-term appeal. The novelty of the superhero spoof premise may hold brief interest, yet the film lacks sufficient depth or variety to encourage repeated engagement. Overall, rewatch enthusiasm remains modest at best.

Plot

Thunder Force Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Thunder Force from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In March 1983, a cataclysmic event bombarded Earth with cosmic rays, granting superpowers to sociopaths and creating a wave of super-villains known as the Miscreants. Ordinary citizens found themselves gripped by fear, living their lives under the looming threat of these powerful foes. After a Miscreant brutally murders her parents, renowned geneticists, young Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer) resolves to find a way to combat these formidable adversaries.

Full summary

The whole story of Thunder Force, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Thunder Force Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Thunder Force.

Thunder Force | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Thunder Force?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What event in 1983 led to the emergence of Miscreants?

Cars

Cars in Thunder Force

37 cars on screen, including the 2018 GMC Sierra HD Denali and the 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4.

All 37 cars
  • 2018 GMC Sierra HD Denali in Thunder Force 2018 GMC Sierra HD Denali Important role
  • 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 in Thunder Force 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Important role
  • 1986 Chevrolet Caprice in Thunder Force 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV in Thunder Force 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV Minor role
Details

Thunder Force Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “雷霆之力” and “Fuerza Trueno”.

Also known as
  • 雷霆之力
  • Fuerza Trueno
  • サンダーフォース -正義のスーパーヒロインズ-
  • Esquadrão Trovão
  • نیروی تندر
  • כוח רעם
  • A lecsap csapat
  • Громові сили
  • Bộ Đôi Sấm Sét
  • Сила Грома
  • Yıldırım Gücü
  • 雷霆女神
+9 more
  • 썬더 포스
  • Patrulla trueno
  • ธันเดอร์ฟอร์ซ ขบวนการฮีโร่ฟาดฟ้า
  • Gromovnice
  • Гръмотевична сила
  • Моћне муње
  • Perkūno galia
  • サンダーフォース ~正義のスーパーヒロインズ~
  • Forța tunetului

Seen Thunder Force?

FAQ

Thunder Force FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Thunder Force, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Thunder Force?

Thunder Force runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Thunder Force released?

Thunder Force was released on April 9, 2021.

Who directed Thunder Force?

Thunder Force was directed by Ben Falcone.

More films by Ben Falcone

Who is in the cast of Thunder Force?

Thunder Force stars Jason Bateman as The Crab, Bobby Cannavale as The King and Pom Klementieff as Laser, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Thunder Force?

In the US, Thunder Force is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How is Thunder Force rated?

Thunder Force has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Thunder Force have a post-credit scene?

No. Thunder Force has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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