The Fantastic Four: First Steps — A Family Portrait with Cosmic Stakes

Set in a vibrant, retro-futuristic vision of the 1960s, a team of pioneering scientists — Reed Richards, Sue Storm, her brother Johnny, and Ben Grimm — are already four years into life as the legendary Fantastic Four on Earth-828. When the sleek herald (the Silver Surfer) arrives with the ominous declaration that the world will be consumed by the insatiable cosmic entity Galactus, the quartet find their greatest battle lies not just in saving the planet but protecting their own nascent family and legacy. As they grapple with alien technology, public expectation, and existential stakes, the Fantastic Four must band together in new ways—relying on love, trust, ingenuity and strength—to face a threat that demands a sacrifice none of them is prepared to make.

The central, undeniable theme of First Steps is the sanctity and complexity of the family unit, which resonates deeply with a Christian worldview. The movie is at its best when exploring Sue Storm’s development, highlighting a powerful and sacrificial motherly love—a profound reflection of the protective, nurturing love God demonstrates for His children. The team, bound by circumstances, must learn to operate not as four individuals, but as one integrated body, mirroring the New Testament call for unity and submission within a spiritual family. It thoughtfully presents a mature view of marriage and friendship as the crucible in which true character is forged, emphasizing that our greatest power is not in our individual gifts, but in our commitment to one another.

The direction by Matt Shakman leans into a stylish, retro-futuristic aesthetic that evokes the 1960s while still feeling modern. The narrative moves briskly: the origin story is bypassed, thrusting us into the team already established and under fire. That gives the film momentum, but also means some character arcs feel compressed. For instance, the emotional fallout of major events lands—yet there’s less time to dwell on the internal processing by characters. The visual design and filmmaking craft are strong: the action sequences, cosmic set-pieces and production design give the film a polished sheen. On the downside, pacing occasionally falters in the middle as several plot threads converge, and the scale of the threat sometimes overwhelms the personal stakes.

Pedro Pascal brings gravitas to Reed Richards—his intellect, vulnerability and fatherly concern all come through. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is compelling: her dual roles as hero and mother figure provide emotional weight. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm injects energy, though his arc is somewhat overshadowed by the larger plot. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing anchors the emotional heart of the film—his personal struggle with power and identity stands out. Supporting actors Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson add tension in their roles tied to cosmic scale threats. The characters do grow—particularly in how they lean on one another—but some growth feels too swift given the film’s runtime.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps earns its PG-13 rating for intense sci-fi action and moments of peril, so it’s best suited for older kids and teens rather than very young viewers. There’s no profanity or sexuality of concern, but the destruction and cosmic battles might overwhelm sensitive children.

From a Christian family standpoint, the movie offers positive themes—loyalty, teamwork, sacrifice, and perseverance—that can spark meaningful conversations. Still, it’s important to recognize that its ultimate message of hope rests in human (or superhuman) strength rather than in God’s power. Parents may want to remind their kids that no matter how noble the heroes appear, true salvation doesn’t come from superheroes—it comes from Jesus Christ.

Families who watch together can use the film as a teaching moment about the difference between heroism and holiness, and about how even the greatest earthly strength points us toward the greater hope found in Christ alone.