Thunder Force

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two childhood friends become superheroes in this Netflix comedy that somehow united critics and audiences in mutual disappointment.

4.6/10

22%

23%

→

Thunder Force

movie

PG-13, 2021

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two childhood friends become superheroes in this Netflix comedy that somehow united critics and audiences in mutual disappointment.

4.6

22%

Jump to

Also rated on

4.6/10

22%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this: Thunder Force is rough. With a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and a dismal 1.8/5 on Letterboxd, this is one of those rare movies where critics and regular viewers actually agreed—it's just not good.

The premise is fine: two estranged friends reunite and gain superpowers to fight villains. But the execution is painful. The jokes don't land, the pacing drags, and even the action sequences feel uninspired. Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are talented performers stuck in a script that wastes them.

Is it safe? Sure. Will your teen be traumatized? No. Will they be bored out of their minds and ask why you picked this when The Mitchells vs. The Machines exists? Absolutely. There's a reason Netflix has quietly let this one fade into obscurity.

The WISE score reflects reality: this is skippable content in a world overflowing with better superhero options.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests 13+, which feels right for the crude humor and action violence. But honestly, even 13-year-olds have better options. This is really for die-hard Melissa McCarthy completists or families who've exhausted literally every other superhero movie on Netflix.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Features a friendship-reunion storyline and themes of teamwork, but the humor is often crude and relies on physical comedy that borders on mean-spirited. The tone is chaotic rather than emotionally grounded, with slapstick that doesn't model particularly positive behavior. The core friendship message is there, but buried under lowbrow gags.

Imaginative

The superhero premise of ordinary people gaining powers is well-worn territory executed without fresh ideas. The movie doesn't invite curiosity or creative thinking—it's a paint-by-numbers superhero comedy that brings nothing new to the genre. No world-building that sparks imagination or encourages exploration of ideas.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 13+, and while there's superhero action violence, it's cartoonish and not graphic. No sexual content, gore, or traumatic surprise deaths. The main safety concerns are crude humor and some language. For a superhero comedy, it stays within expected bounds—no shocking content that would blindside viewers.

Enriching

Offers minimal cognitive or ethical growth. The friendship-empowerment message is surface-level at best. No meaningful skill-building, limited empathy development, and forgettable takeaways. More importantly, it's simply not entertaining—the universally poor critical reception (22% RT critics, 23% audience, 4.6 IMDb, 1.8/5 Letterboxd) indicates it fails even as basic entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Features a female-led superhero story with leads over 40, which is genuinely rare in the genre
The core friendship-reunion theme could resonate if you can get past the execution
Safe superhero action without graphic violence—good for younger teens who want powers without MCU intensity
Melissa McCarthy fans might find a few laughs, though even they seem scarce based on reviews

⚠

What to Watch For

Crude humor throughout—lots of physical comedy and lowbrow jokes that might not land with your family
The pacing is chaotic and the jokes fall flat more often than not (those ratings don't lie)
At 1 hour 47 minutes, it feels longer than it should for what little story it tells
Your kids will probably be bored—there are so many better superhero options on Netflix

Conversation Starters

"If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you actually use it day-to-day?"
"The movie is about old friends reconnecting—who's someone from your past you'd want to hang out with again?"
"Why do you think this movie got such bad reviews when the idea seems fun on paper?"

Stills