‘The fantastic four: first steps’ review

By Nadia Dalimonte

Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby in The Fantastic Four: First Steps ​© 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

Since the 2005 release of Tim Story’s messy sitcom-centric Fantastic Four, adaptations of Marvel’s first family never quite cracked the code for the superhero quartet. It took several decades, but director Matt Shakman (known for the MCU’s WandaVision television series) finally gives the Fantastic Four a cinematic journey with real stakes and an enthusiastic cast. Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) get a retro-style spin in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a giant leap towards a fresh start in the superhero world. The MCU pressed the creative refresh button at an incredibly opportune time. Having closed out Phase Five with surprisingly mature and emotional storytelling in Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts*, the studio begins Phase Six on an optimistic back-to-basics note. 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t require baseball knowledge of a convoluted multiverse, nor does it indulge in the characters stumbling upon their superpowers. Set in 1960s New York and dipped in a futuristic palette, the film begins four years after the Fantastic Four embarked on their fated mission and became celebrities. Early scenes, such as the variety show sizzle reel celebrating the Fantastic Four’s accomplishments, indicate a seasoned team who have gotten used to all the attention. They also understand their unique abilities, from elasticity and force fields to super strength and pyrokinesis. But with great power comes great responsibility. 

The general public are head over heels for their heroes. The Fantastic Four are Earth’s only peacekeepers, and as astronauts, they represent a symbol of American heroism that was especially prevalent in the 60s. The film excels at conveying a sense of pride and propaganda around how the Fantastic Four are perceived. The group have managed to uphold an image of safety and security, presumably without missing a beat, over the course of four years. But the all-consuming space god Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) threaten to disrupt these godly pedestals, posing the question: what do heroes owe to the citizens of Earth?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches these questions with the subject of parenthood - how it changes the fabric of an entire being and alters the weight of the world. When Sue (Kirby) discovers she’s pregnant, the news adds worry and stress to her husband Reed (Pascal), who immediately begins to calculate whether the baby will be born with cosmic powers. His anxiety is balanced by Sue’s calm in the eye of the storm, which Kirby and Pascal play brilliantly in the film’s domestic-focused scenes. Pascal makes for a charismatic, sensitive, and conflicted Reed Richards; he carries a sense of guilt in not wanting his child to be like him. He always thinks of the worst case scenario for every problem, and it’s Sue who helps him through the moral crossroads. The two complement each other’s sensibilities to the point where a single look can drive the energy of a conversation. One particularly compelling scene - a discussion about Reed and Sue’s newborn child Franklin being the target of conflict - shows how Sue can quickly spot the analytical part of Reed’s brain and identify his train of thought. She swiftly shuts down an idea that at first upsets her, but ultimately places her into the heart and soul of this film.

Those who have seen Kornél Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman will know that the birthing scene in First Steps is not Kirby’s first time playing a woman giving birth, but it is the first time in space. The zero gravity logistics of the sequence are visually engaging and immersive. But it’s the maternal fierceness in Kirby’s performance that elevates this moment into one of real humanity and poignancy. Rarely do we get such a primal moment depicted onscreen in a big studio piece to begin with, let alone in a Marvel superhero film. The scene pushes First Steps on a path of exploring weighty topics through a family-friendly superhero lens. Kirby’s performance also keeps the character grounded and avoids underlining familiar tropes where strong female leads are portrayed without the capacity for softness or vulnerability.

The birth of Sue and Reed’s child explores how parenthood intersects with the pressures of being a superhero. The drive to protect baby Franklin, and the determination not to give up on society as a whole, balances everyday family scenarios with a genuinely threatening intergalactic force. The sheer scale and the deep, menacing voice of Galactus (Ineson) make him one of the more effective Marvel villains. He wants to devour the entire planet in ways that get personal for the Fantastic Four family. He goes after innocence, shown effectively with the character of Silver Surfer, also known as Shalla-Bal (Garner). She follows his every command and acts as a spokesperson for Earth’s demise, traveling to Times Square to deliver the ominous message. But there is more to Shalla-Bal than meets the eye, and Johnny (Quinn) finds a way to communicate with her for answers. Their dynamic adds some flirtatious banter and speaks to Johnny’s character: he’s a little naughty, insecure, and will do anything to protect his family. 

The retro-futurism world building, familial themes, and character-driven conflict set The Fantastic Four: First Steps apart as a contained story in a convoluted multiverse of superhero interconnectedness. The stylish production design captures a vibrant 60s Manhattan, from the presence of robot assistant H.E.R.B.I.E. to the mid-century inspired architecture and the flying Fantasticar. Additionally, Michael Giacchino’s stellar score gives dimension and personality to the story. Certain narrative explorations do feel incomplete — such as the lack of character development for Ben/The Thing (Bachrach). While Bachrach delivers a standout performance and shares fun banter with the cast, his scenes suggest a lot of material left on the cutting room floor. As well, when the general public start to turn against the Fantastic Four in the final act, the shift in devotion unravels far too suddenly and collectively to feel believable.
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When it comes to production value and emotional resonance, The Fantastic Four: First Steps never quite reaches the heights of the zero gravity birth scene. But the film wisely centres Sue Storm’s character throughout, which elevates a poignant emotional through line far more resonating than any CGI spectacle. At the core of First Steps is a family working together to stay connected to one another for a brighter future. Supported by the talented trio of Pascal, Quinn, and Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby shines as the heart and soul of this story.