The Fantastic Four: First Steps—Finally a Leap Forward

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

★ ★ ★ ½

After three forgettable (and sometimes embarrassing) attempts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally gives Marvel’s original superhero team the movie they deserve. The story follows four astronauts—Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission. When the film begins, it’s four years after that event.

They’re soon confronted by an all-metal alien on a surfboard called The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). She asks if they’re the protectors of this world. When they say yes, she tells them that Earth is marked for destruction and that The Devourer, a.k.a. Galactus (Ralph Ineson), will soon be there to consume the planet. If you’re unfamiliar with the comics, Galactus is massive—and so is his ship, capable of tearing through entire planets with ease.

Of course, it’s up to the Fantastic Four team to not let that happen.

Julia Garner as The Silver Surfer
© 2025 Walt Disney Pictures / Marvel Studios

There’s a lot that really works well in this film. To say that this is the best attempt at a Fantastic Four movie isn’t saying much given the low bar its predecessors set. But the chemistry between the characters works so well, and the story is so fun and engaging, this film sets a new bar for the next wave of Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

The story unfolds in a sharply imagined alternate 1964, one of the film’s most striking choices. The retro-futuristic set design is striking, reimagining 2025-era tech as it might have looked and functioned 60 years ago.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
© 2025 Walt Disney Pictures / Marvel Studios

Quinn is excellent as Johnny Storm delivering a deep character that’s reckless but with a purpose. Unlike previous Fantastic Four films, he’s actually given something to do with real meaning. It’s notable that Quinn bears a slight resemblance to Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. in both physical features and mannerisms. Quinn could easily play a younger Tony Stark.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how well this film treats Ben Grimm. He’s not the two-dimensional self-loathing, goofy strong guy as portrayed in the other films. Moss-Bachrach puts a warm pulse and heartbeat in Grimm—no small feat for a man whose superpower has a serious physical impact. He’s literally made of rocks. Here, he’s both endearing and a force to be reckoned with.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
© 2025 Walt Disney Pictures / Marvel Studios

Kirby turns in a compelling performance as Sue. She and Reed discover early in the film that they’re pregnant with their first child. She’s at once excited and overwhelmed by the pregnancy, trying to parse how superhero duties will impact her motherhood.

But Pascal’s Reed Richards is woefully drab. Pascal has an understated, sort of elite tone that works in roles such as The Mandalorian. Sadly, that appears to be the extent of his range. It should work well here—Reed is an intellectual, emotionally reserved character who deeply cares for those around him. Pascal’s performance leaned into Reed’s aloof nature a tad too hard which worked against the scenes that required deeper emotion.

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm
© 2025 Walt Disney Pictures / Marvel Studios

The showdown between Galactus is foreshadowed so deeply, his destructive powers so encompassing, the final showdown is a bit of a letdown. Without spoiling, the final battle came and went rather abruptly and was somewhat underwhelming.

Even with its flaws, First Steps is a great time at the movies. Had it dug a little deeper emotionally—and with a livelier lead turn from Pascal—it might’ve joined the ranks of Batman Begins, Deadpool or Iron Man. It doesn’t quite reach those heights, but after three films, it’s still a clear win. Turns out, fourth time’s the charm.