Name: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Genre: Action, Adventure, Superhero, Sci-Fi
Released: 2025-07-25
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner

Marvel’s Biggest Summer Blockbuster is Here! Marvel’s first family, The Fantastic Four faces off against Galactus, Marvel’s Biggest villain after Thanos. Releasing on July 25th

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Bollywood Hungama

Times of India

India Today

The Indian Express

Pinkvilla

Firstpost

Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer and Kat Wood's story serves as a nice introduction of the superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer's screenplay keeps viewers captivated but is also a bit stagnant in some places. The dialogues are entertaining.

Matt Shakman's direction is supreme. Like SUPERMAN, the origin backstory is also not given much prominence, though in this film, the beginnings of the superheroes are shown through montages and not just in text form. The 60s vibe is also well captured. What works big time is the bond between the superheroes and how they always stay united. The scene where they refuse to accept Galactus’ condition and the effect of it on the humans is quite dramatic. The subtle comment made here on trolling and sensational news debates is very relatable. Matt, however, reserves the best for the finale. It is exhilarating and also touching. The mid-credit scene, meanwhile, would lead to a frenzy in cinemas.
On the flipside, the pace of the film drops in a few places. The entire track of Johnny learning the alien language is difficult to comprehend. One also doesn’t fully connect to the idea of Harvey aka Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser). In the quest to give a quick introduction, the makers didn’t give certain plot points their due. Meanwhile, the timing of the release can prove detrimental in India.
Pedro Pascal, as always, looks dashing and delivers a subtle yet effective performance. Vanessa Kirby gets to play a cool character, and she does total justice. She shines in the climax. Joseph Quinn is adorable and puts up a first-rate act. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ralph Ineson make their presence felt. Julia Garner leaves a huge mark. Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles (Lynne Nichols), Mark Gatiss (Ted Gilbert) and Natasha Lyonne (Rachel Rozman) get limited scope.
On the whole, THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is yet another fabulous entertainer from the Marvel Cinematic Universe after THUNDERBOLTS. Though it has managed good advance sales, it might not be able to reach its full box office potential due to the gigantic SAIYAARA wave.

Marvel’s ‘First Family’ finally joins the MCU, more than six decades after their comic book debut in 1961. Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s version of Earth—known as Earth 828—Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) are preparing for parenthood, having just announced their pregnancy. As they baby-proof their home, uncles Ben Grimm (The Thing) and Johnny Storm (Human Torch) engage in their usual friendly bickering. The narrative subtly sets up one of the film’s overarching themes: the strength of familial bonds. But their domestic bliss is short-lived, as Silver Surfer arrives with a dire warning. Galactus has already devoured a nearby planet and now sets his sights on Earth 828.
The latest superhero entry is a standalone tale, requiring no prior background, with the context efficiently established through a succinct opening sequence. While its look and feel are rooted in classic retro comic book origins, the film sets itself apart with spectacular set pieces and detailed character designs—Galactus, in particular, is a visual highlight, along with the space travel, other planets, and the construction of global portals to save the planet. What truly stands out is the film’s emotional core and its retro-futuristic aesthetic, which together help humanise these larger-than-life superheroes.
Conversely, the villains don’t receive the screen time or development their stature deserves. Galactus, though towering and menacing, appears in only a handful of scenes, and along with Silver Surfer (aka Shalla-Bal), is given an underwhelming backstory. Silver Surfer’s origins, in particular, are rushed through far too quickly.
At just under two hours, the movie remains engaging throughout, without a single dull moment. However, this brisk runtime also means that some character arcs and subplots feel unfinished.
Pedro Pascal stands out as Reed Richards, portraying the duality of a brilliant scientific mind who views everything through a pragmatic lens. His internal conflict over his unborn child’s normalcy—constantly running scans and tests—is handled with finesse.
Vanessa Kirby impresses as Sue Storm, balancing her duty as a superhero with that of a mother who refuses to sacrifice one for the other. Joseph Quinn brings charm and energy to Johnny Storm, the Human Torch and proud uncle, shining in the role. Ebon Moss-Bachrach delivers well-timed humour and complexity as the mutated Ben Grimm, making his conflicted personality feel grounded. Ralph Ineson’s voice acting as Galactus is both menacing and powerful, adding gravitas to the otherwise underwritten antagonist.
With enjoyable action sequences, sharp humour, and relatable characterisation balanced with stellar CGI and set pieces, this is a fantastic cinematic experience—one best enjoyed on the big screen.

In 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', Marvel hits refresh on one of its oldest properties, and for the first time in years, it feels like the studio is genuinely trying something new, or rather, old, in a stylishly new way. Set in an alternate universe drenched in 1960s retro-futurism, the film reintroduces us to Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a close-knit quartet who gain cosmic powers after a scientific mission goes awry.
But this isn’t your typical origin story. Instead of rehashing the well-worn beats of earlier failed attempts, 'First Steps' throws us straight into a world where the 'Fantastic Four' are already beloved public figures. The quartet is then shown facing a looming cosmic threat in the form of Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, which highlights their vulnerability, and the price even a ‘superhero’ needs to pay for heroism.

What truly sets 'First Steps' apart is its ensemble. Their chemistry is the glue that holds this glossy ship together, as expected. Pedro Pascal brings gentle gravitas to Reed Richards, a man torn between logic and love. Vanessa Kirby turns in the film’s most emotionally affecting performance as Sue Storm, whose journey through motherhood becomes the emotional spine of the story. Joseph Quinn is all ‘fire’ and swagger as Johnny, injecting kinetic energy into every scene he’s in. On the other hand, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben brings a surprising tenderness under all that rock and gruffness.
But let’s be honest, the real MVP is HERBIE, their robotic assistant and is bound to become a fan-favourite.

Director Matt Shakman ('WandaVision') proves to be a strong fit for this material, grounding the story in real emotion rather than overloading it with VFX noise. That said, the film does not lack visual spectacle. Every frame, be it the Baxter Building’s sleek penthouse to sprawling battlescapes, feels like it was pulled out from a Silver Age comic book. The production design is immaculate, the action choreography clean and engaging, and Michael Giacchino’s soaring score might just be his best Marvel work yet.
From the outset, 'First Steps' feels like a clean slate, unburdened by multiverse fatigue or lore-heavy history. It’s refreshing to watch a Marvel movie that doesn’t require homework. This could very well be a standalone film, in its true form.

Yet, for all the strengths in tone and texture, the film falters when it comes to its antagonists. Ralph Ineson’s Galactus has the voice and the presence, but the writing doesn’t back it up with anything distinct. He becomes just another abstract threat looming in the sky. Julia Garner’s side villain suffers even more, stuck in a formulaic “trauma begets evil” arc that Marvel’s newer entries haven’t yet moved beyond.
Where 'First Steps' succeeds in restoring some goodwill in a franchise suffering from superhero fatigue, is in its willingness to slow down and let its characters breathe. The quieter moments, especially stressing on the emotional arc and decisions of the ‘heroes’, are some of the most memorable. This is a film that likes its characters and wants you to like them too.

While the screenplay occasionally stumbles into Marvel’s old trap of rushing plot beats and leaving emotional payoffs half-baked, the heart, visuals, and performances keep things afloat. If this truly is the first step in a new era for the 'Fantastic Four', it’s a promising one, charmingly flawed, but worth rooting for, not because they’re superheroes, but because they’re family.

The film also got one of the best post-credit scenes in a Marvel film, in what feels like aeons of years. A post-credit tag declares, “'The Fantastic Four' will return in 'Avengers: Doomsday',” and we are here for it!

As far as world-destruction events go, First Steps is as ambitious as they come. Even more, you can say – with a creature by the name and size of ‘Galactus’, literally eating up planets to satisfy an unquenchable hunger. The ‘Devourer’, as he is also known, shall be defeated by our superheroes using all the science, chalks, blackboards, rare earth materials, robots, spacecraft, black holes, gravity, non-gravity, and Archimedes at their disposal.

It may seem all too familiar if you are just coming off the latest Superman. The difference is, unlike the chaos of that film from two weeks ago, you can slide into this Fantastic Four reboot, and feel safe and warm, like home.
A lot has to do with the fantastic four at the heart of this Marvel family, who live together and eat together, and are played by actors who play well off each other, particularly the always-splendid Kirby. As Susan Storm, who is pregnant at the start of the film and a mom not even halfway into it, her superpowers are not just the force field she can generate or the camouflage she can render as Invisible Woman, but also the fierce strength-cum-vulnerability she brings as a mother.
The fantastic four inhabit Earth-828, an alternative reality of the Marvel world. In terms of our world, it is the 1960s, with the look and feel retro-futuristic, or how the people then imagined the future to be. The TVs remain small and round-edged; there are no other screens barring what Reed (Pascal), the scientist and leader of the group of four, conjures up for his experiments; the people are well-turned-out to a fault; and they turn up good-naturedly to cheer their heroes on.
The baby angle is very gratuitous at times, right from delivery to when Galactus (Ineson) decides he wants the extremely cute and very expressive little thing for himself. Called Franklin, he is put successively in harm’s way, including being left in a pram-like concoction in the middle of Times Square as bait for an inter-galactic fight.
Where Kirby manages just the right mix of emotions to pull this off, the otherwise-reliable Pascal seems out of his depth. He seems confused between his personas of a cold, rational scientist, with his brain and stretchability getting him the moniker ‘Mister Fantastic’, and that of a warm, irrational father – and falls half-heartedly, and surprisingly downbeat, in between.
Unlike Johnny (Quinn), the Human Torch, and Ben (Moss-Bachrach), the Thing, Reed doesn’t get even that one burst of sheer exhilaration that superpowers call for. Johnny is supposed to be the joker of the pack, and Quinn keeps it light and simple, even if he is not as funny as he wants to be. Moss-Bachrach manages to bring real pathos and gravitas to his Ben, which is quite an achievement given he only gets a few moments without the orange rock that is now his being – and that is in a showreel at the beginning, through which the film conveys the fantastic four’s back story efficiently, in spare, broad strokes.

Director Shakman, who is relatively new to these big-ticket franchises, even manages to make Julia Garner, who is little more than liquid, shimmery metal mounted on a surf board, as a living, breathing, hurting woman called Shalla-Ball.

The fantastic four’s First Steps may not yet jump off the page, but hang on: those feet are meant for walking.

The film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic is a visual feast. The 1960s-inspired world blends sleek designs with vibrant colors. The cast’s chemistry makes the team feel like a genuine family. The story stands alone, free from the MCU’s heavy backstory demands. Thus, anyone can really watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps, without really being concerned about the timeline.
The background score delivers triumphant and emotional notes, especially in the space sequences. The visual effects for Galactus and the Silver Surfer are excellently done. The last 45 minutes are edge-of-the-seat stuff, packed with thrilling action and emotional payoffs.

The post-credits scene is worth every penny, delivering a game-changing tease for the MCU’s future. Overall, this movie is a vibrant, refreshing take on the Fantastic Four.
Vanessa Kirby delivers a standout performance as Sue Storm. She brings depth and warmth to the story. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards is smart and charming as he always is. Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm radiates brash energy, lighting up every scene. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm brings heart. The "It's Clobberin' time" phrase brings out the best in him. Julia Garner as Silver Surfer is captivating. However, she feels slightly underutilised. Other actors do well with whatever they get.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a triumphant return for Marvel's first family. It’s the best cinematic take on these characters, by a mile. The retro aesthetic, stellar cast, and deeply rooted family dynamics make it a must watch. The standalone story welcomes newcomers without MCU baggage.

The last 45 minutes deliver edge-of-the-seat thrills, and the post-credits scene is worth the ticket price alone. Minor issues like a simplistic plot and underdeveloped villains, don't bog down the film, much. Overall, it is a solid entry from Marvel.


The best thing about ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is that we didn’t have to do our regular homework like the way we are expected to do as critics, like watch the previous one and the previous one. This film was a fresh MCU product, otherwise all the other Marvel movies were getting a bit too repetitive. We were literally tired of the multiverse universe, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps was like a breath of fresh air.
_The Fantastic Four: First Steps_ is one the brightest and relatable things that Marvel has ever made. What will catch the attention of the audience is the engaging storytelling and what a visual treat it is that will completely drown you into the story. The new movie directed by Matt Shakman has all the qualities that makes for a fantastically relatable movie where ordinary people are gifted with extraordinary power.
Set in a sleek 1960s-inspired, retro‑futuristic world, First Steps follows the Fantastic Four as they try to thwart the planet-devouring threat of Galactus. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film features Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn and written by Josh Friedman, Cam Squires, and Eric Pearson.

The Fantastic Four, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm are here to save the Earth from Galactus who wants to consume the plant. The movie starts with a scene where Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and his wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) talking to each other and when Sue discloses to her husband that she is pregnant, something they have been trying hard for two-years. They are happy, but at the same time worried about what effect the exposure to cosmic rays have on the baby.
For the Fantastic Four family, friends and bonding are as important as saving the Earth from the clutches of Galactus. But how will they do it when world-devouring cosmic beings Galactus and her Silver Surfer girl are all out to consume Earth and make a tough bargain, that if they have to save the earth, they will have to sacrifice their baby.

There is a backstory to the Silver Surfer girl too and Julia Garner has done an absolute brilliant job. There is a mystery behind her and you will have to watch the whole movie to know what it is. In fact, she has the most complex character. But, Julia Garner deserved more screen time.
The deeper you sink your teeth into the plot, you realise how engaging every scene gets. As the movie proceeds, just like the people on earth, the Fantastic Four are equally confused. But the mother of the baby Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is not willing to give up on her child. She fights with heaven and earth to save it.

The scene-stealer comes right at the end of the movie. When everybody else fails, it is the touch of the miraculous baby which saves the mother. The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is indeed a bold, sharp and fantastic reboot which deserves every bit of your time. The message that the film tries to show that it is the love, chaos and sometimes differences of opinions is what keeps the whole family together and not the super powers. Long live the Fantastic Four; oops the Fantastic Five now!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Final  English Trailer | Only in Cinemas July 25

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Final Hindi Trailer | Only in Cinemas July 25

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Final Tamil Trailer | Only in Cinemas July 25

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Final Telugu Trailer | Only in Cinemas July 25

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Official English Trailer | Only in Cinemas July 25

Best known for appearing in shows like Game of Thrones, Law & Order, The Mentalist, Homeland and Narcos, Pedro Pascal is a Chilean- American actor. He has studied acting at the Orange County School of the Arts and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Closely associated with theater, Pascal has won several awards for his stage performances.

Pedro Pascal

Vanessa Kirby is a popular stage, television and film actor. Her debut movie was Love/Loss in 2010. She became a household name after appearing in the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations in 2011. Some of her popular movies are About Time, The Exchange, Everest, Genius, Kill Command and Me Before You.

Vanessa Kirby

Joseph Quinn

Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Julia Garner

A popular British artist, Ralph Ineson is a film & TV actor, and voice-over artist. He is best known for portraying Chris Finch, a recurring character in the BBC series The Office, William in The Witch, Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones and Amycus Carrow in the Harry Potter films.  Ineson has played minor roles in numerous TV series, including The Bill, The Cinder Path, This Life, Playing the Field, Bostock's Cup, Doctors, Between the sheets,A Line in the Sand, Coronation Street, Casualty, Suburban Shootout, and The IT Crowd. His other projects include The Body Farm, Ambassadors, The Interceptor, and Sherlock.  His Hollywood film credits include Is Anybody There?, The Damned United, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, Great Expectations, Guardians of the Galaxy, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Huntsman: Winter's War, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and The Hurricane Heist.  He has done voice over for video games such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and in films such as The Jungle Book.

Ralph Ineson

The Fantastic Four, one of Marvel's most recognizable families, returns to the big screen.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps(2025)