The Fantastic Four: First Steps Parents Guide

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Rated PG-13 by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for action/violence and some language.

Okay, I’ll say it The Fantastic Four: First Steps might be the first time Marvel’s First Family actually feels… fantastic. Not just serviceable. Not just a setup for crossovers. But genuinely, gloriously alive on screen. This isn’t just another MCU cog trying to sell you the next phase. It’s a full-bodied cinematic love letter to the weird, wonderful roots of these characters and it finally gives them the soulful, cosmic playground they’ve deserved for decades.

The Story & What It Tries to Say

The story follows Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they embark on a government-sponsored mission to the far edges of space. But instead of landing among stars, they crash headlong into cosmic chaos and emerge changed. Physically, yes, but also emotionally. This isn’t just a story of powers. It’s a story of identity. And of reconciling what it means to be part of something larger than yourself whether it’s family, fate, or an entire planet.

What immediately stands out is how much the film cares about the people beneath the powers. It takes its time letting us sit with their confusion, their awe, their fear. These aren’t quippy, overconfident heroes ready to roll into battle. They’re scientists. A pilot. A woman with a sharp mind and a big heart. People who got caught in something bigger than they understand, and now have to live with the consequences together.

Enter Galactus. Not just as a looming world-eater, but as a godlike presence distant, unknowable, and oddly mournful. He’s less a villain and more a force of nature. The real human drama lies in Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), his Herald and a fascinating twist on the Silver Surfer role. She’s torn, not just between master and mission, but between two moralities. Her scenes with Sue, especially, crackle with emotional weight two powerful women caught in systems much older and colder than them.

Underneath the sci-fi trappings, First Steps is really about the bonds we choose. The messy, painful work of sticking together when things get hard. It’s about family the kind you’re born into, and the kind you build. And unlike most superhero movies, it’s not afraid to slow down and actually sit in those moments.

Performances & Characters

Let’s talk casting, because this might be the most balanced Fantastic Four ensemble we’ve ever had.

Pedro Pascal is pitch-perfect as Reed. He plays him not as a cold genius or an absent-minded jerk (finally!), but as someone deeply curious and quietly burdened. You get the sense that his mind is always 10 steps ahead, but his heart is trying really trying to catch up. His relationship with Sue has a subtle maturity to it. They feel like a real couple: sometimes out of sync, sometimes perfectly in rhythm. And there’s a tender undercurrent  especially when Sue’s potential pregnancy is hinted at  that gives their scenes a quiet emotional gravity.

Vanessa Kirby is, no exaggeration, incredible as Sue Storm. She brings a layered vulnerability and strength that grounds the film. Sue’s powers are often treated as an afterthought in past versions, but not here. Kirby turns her into the team’s emotional core, the glue that holds everyone together even as she herself is fracturing. She’s intelligent, calm under pressure, and fiercely protective  not just of her family, but of what’s right. I’d argue this is the best version of Sue we’ve ever had on screen.

Joseph Quinn’s Johnny is… exactly what you hope he’d be. Charismatic, a little reckless, but with a heart of gold buried under the swagger. He brings a rockstar energy to the Human Torch — and yes, his flame effects look amazing. But more than that, you believe he cares, even when he’s pretending he doesn’t.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach surprised me the most. His Ben Grimm isn’t a sad-sack pity machine. He’s funny, grounded, a little bitter  but there’s so much life in his eyes (even under all that orange rock). He gives us a Thing that feels tragic and noble without being overly maudlin. He’s the kind of character you just want to hug, even though he could crush you by accident.

And then there’s Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal the reimagined Silver Surfer. Ethereal. Haunted. Almost alien in her presence, but deeply human in her conflict. Garner brings a quiet storm to every scene. Her arc is one of the film’s strongest  and her showdown with Sue might be the emotional climax of the entire story.

Highly Recommended:

Direction, Visuals & Pacing

Matt Shakman deserves a round of applause  or, honestly, a standing ovation. He commits to this retro aesthetic with such confidence, it’s kind of astounding. The film looks like it was shot in 1965, but with 2025-level precision. Practical sets dominate. The costumes are tactile. The Fantasticar is real, chunky, and impossibly cool.

The cinematography is painterly at times, echoing Kirby’s cosmic swirls and bold colors. There’s a shot of Galactus rising from a nebula that straight-up gave me chills. And the use of lighting — soft pastels for family scenes, stark whites and deep purples for the cosmic stuff — creates this emotional contrast that really works.

Pacing-wise, it’s not afraid to slow down. That might bother some folks expecting a nonstop action fest, but I appreciated the restraint. It earns its quiet moments. It lets us breathe. And when the action does hit — especially in the final act — it’s big, weighty, and character-driven.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Parents Guide

Violence: Plenty of superhero-style action: big explosions, cosmic battles, superpower fights — but nothing gory or graphic. Galactus brings some massive destruction, and there are a few intense moments, but no blood or disturbing imagery. Think Guardians of the Galaxy level.

Language: Mild swearing here and there — “hell,” “damn,” maybe a “crap.” Nothing shocking or excessive. No f-bombs.

Sexual Content: None. No nudity, no sex, no suggestive jokes. Reed and Sue have a loving, married relationship with a hint at pregnancy, but it’s handled tastefully and stays PG.

Substance Use: No drinking, no drugs, no smoking. Clean across the board.

Scary Moments: Galactus is big, loud, and intimidating — younger kids might find him a little scary. Some scenes show characters in real danger, but there’s always a sense of hope and heroism. No horror vibes.

Age Recommendation: Best for ages 10 and up.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

The Fantastic Four: First Steps isn’t just a reboot. It’s a course correction. A reclamation. A reminder that Marvel’s First Family isn’t just filler between Avenger cameos. They are the story  weird, brilliant, dysfunctional, and brave.

Is it perfect? No. Some exposition gets clunky. A few jokes don’t land. And I could’ve used just a bit more of Ben’s iconic New York sass. But these are nitpicks in what’s otherwise a wildly ambitious and emotionally resonant film.

If you’re burnt out on formulaic capes and CGI soup, this one might just reignite your love for the genre. It certainly did for me.