The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) - Review
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© 2025 20th Century Studios / © 2025 MARVEL
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Written by: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles
Runtime: 115 min
Synopsis: Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family - Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) - face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus' plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren't bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.
© 2025 20th Century Studios / © 2025 MARVEL
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Talking Films. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Fantastic Four: First Steps not only introduces a team with the potential to lead the MCU’s new era, but also establishes its own distinct identity: heartfelt, visually striking, and emotionally grounded. Between Michael Giacchino’s chilling score and the immersive retro-futuristic aesthetic – not to mention the undeniable chemistry among the four leads – there’s a rare cohesion in this origin story, despite a few secondary issues. The emotional weight in Vanessa Kirby’s expressions, the intimate dilemmas faced by Pedro Pascal, and the vulnerability shown by Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach reveal an uncommon care for human detail. If these are the first steps, they’re sure-footed – and full of soul.
