Was Black Widow depressed? Yes. Was the Sentry bipolar? Also yes. And this is a perfect chance to understand a little more about the two.

In this episode of Cinemental, we dive deep into Marvel's Thunderbolts* – a dark, gripping addition to the MCU – and explore how trauma, redemption, and identity crises shape its complex characters. From Yelena Belova’s depression to Bucky Barnes’ PTSD and Red Guardian’s delusions of grandeur, Thunderbolts* is more than just a superhero team-up – it's a psychological battlefield.

We unpack the mental health struggles hidden beneath the action, break down the film’s most introspective moments, and ask: can anti-heroes ever truly heal?

🔍 Topics Covered:

The significance of the Thunderbolts* asterisk: branding, meaning, and marketing
Bucky Barnes and PTSD in the post-Winter Soldier era
Yelena Belova’s depression
The Sentry's (Bob's) Bipolar Disorder
The ethics of redemption in Marvel’s “New Avengers” era
Mental health representation in superhero media

🧠 Cinemental is your twice weekly podcast exploring the intersection of cinema and mental health. Subscribe for more deep dives into the emotional and psychological core of your favorite films.

0:00 Introduction
5:30 Topics of the Day
7:49 Was Black Widow Depressed?
12:48 Did Black Widow Get Better?
14:29 Friendship cures all
16:48 Dads and Daughters
21:30 Was Bob Bipolar?
30:25 John Walker and Anger


For more episodes you can listen anywhere you get your podcasts by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/cinemental

or watch more on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3Ee9C7r

Follow Filmmaker Jeffrey Jones on Instagram @hugemanmissing
Follow Dr. Joshua Jones on BlueSky @usapsychiatrist

You can also email us at [email protected]

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