In a year where Marvel has struggled to reclaim its former glory, The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives as an unexpected triumph.
★★★★☆
Previous efforts from the once-unstoppable franchise have failed to resonate critically, financially, or both. Brave New World wallowed in creative stagnation, Thunderbolts collapsed under its own weight, and Daredevil: Born Again lost the edge of its former self. However, this new outing dares to do what few Marvel projects in 2025 have managed: remind audiences why they ever cared in the first place.
Set in the alternate universe of Earth-828 (a loving tribute to co-creator Jack Kirby’s birthday), Marvel’s iconic foursome must battle Galactus, the planet-devouring despot, to save both their world and their expanding, unconventional family.
By setting the story in an alternate universe, Fantastic Four smartly detaches itself from the bloated continuity of the main MCU timeline. It sheds the burden of excessive interconnection that has weighed down recent entries like Brave New World and Thunderbolts. There’s no mandatory catch-up on prior films needed, nor does the film take drastic measures to set up the franchise’s next phase (which the Four are set to be a big part of).
Instead, we focus on the present, returning to the storytelling approach that defined Marvel’s early successes: self-contained, character-driven narratives like Iron Man (2008) and Thor (2011) that didn’t depend on a web of references to resonate.
Starting on this Earth also means Marvel finally leverages the multiverse concept cleverly. For too long, it has felt like a gimmick to insert cameos (No Way Home, Multiverse of Madness, Deadpool & Wolverine). Here, it’s used for world-building and aesthetic, something that should have been the plan from the start of the Multiverse Saga. It also eliminates the need for awkward exposition about why the Four weren’t present for previous Earth-ending threats.
Visually and tonally, First Steps embraces a retro-futuristic aesthetic clearly inspired by Kirby’s iconic designs. The production design is rich and immersive, with director Matt Shakman (who helmed WandaVision in 2021) showing his love for vintage sci-fi throughout.
At the centre are the core four, who live up to their team’s title. Pedro Pascal brings gravitas and quiet authority to Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic. While his omnipresence across film and TV might be starting to wear thin, Pascal can still turn his hand to most roles. His interpretation is thoughtful and grounded, particularly in scenes opposite Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm/Invisible Woman.
Kirby’s Sue is not just the glue of the team but of the film. Her standout performance leaves the passive, sidelined version from the 2005 adaptation in its dust as Kirby’s Sue is active and deeply empathetic. Joseph Quinn brings vibrant energy and unexpected depth to Johnny Storm/Human Torch, adding substance that extends beyond the bravado of Chris Evans’ adored portrayal. Ebon Moss-Bachrach rounds out the quartet as rock-mutant Ben Grimm/The Thing. While he has the least screen time, he brings enough pathos and physicality to a role that could easily become a CGI footnote.
Mercifully, the film moderates Marvel’s over-reliance on humor. Jokes are used sparingly and organically, allowing the emotional stakes to land. The peril feels real, and the decisions carry weight. A standout sequence sees the team grappling with a devastating ultimatum from Galactus that could either save their Earth or doom it. The film devotes meaningful time to this ethical dilemma, and the tension is sustained throughout. It’s a return to storytelling that puts peril above punchlines.
Despite these strengths, there are flaws. Shakman’s direction, while strong in atmosphere and tone, falters in the third act. The climax slips into overly familiar superhero spectacle, complete with plot conveniences and CGI-heavy conflict that dilute the tension. The resolution feels rushed rather than carefully constructed.
The antagonists suffer as a result. Ralph Ineson is inspired casting as Galactus as his deep, resonant voice a force to shatter planets. However, the menace fades as the film progresses. His gothic, Lovecraftian introduction is undercut by later scenes that expose the limits of the visual effects, making him feel more like an attraction than an existential threat. Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer also fails to leave a lasting impression. The character’s tragic undertones are hindered by sparse screen time and, despite flashes of intrigue, she feels like an afterthought.
Still, The Fantastic Four: First Steps accomplishes something Marvel hasn’t managed in years: it makes the audience care. Though not flawless, it values character over continuity and comedy. In doing so, it carves out a distinct identity within a franchise desperate for reinvention.
The Verdict
Whether this new iteration becomes the foundation of the next MCU phase remains to be seen, but with these Four promised to lead the charge, the future may finally look bright.
Words by Joseph Jenkinson
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