Thor: Love and Thunder may be the fourth Thor film and the character's eighth film appearance, but that doesn't mean that the God of Thunder has hit his twilight years. Even after all of the Avengers have passed the torch, Thor Odinson has remained a hero, making his way through the galaxy and helping others where he can. But even though it may seem like he's at the tail end of his tenure, Asgardian ages would beg to differ. In fact, Thor: Love and Thunder isn't about a god in a mid-life crisis. Instead, it's more like a god in his quarter-life crisis.
When Thor left Earth in Avengers: Endgame, he had given up his time as King of Asgard, giving the role to Valkyrie, and resolved to spend his years trying to find a new purpose. Rather than be someone he should be, he'd rather be someone he wants to be. This has since been shown in trailers by his meditation and constant soul searching. Redditor Emperor_Z16 then posited that the reason for this isn't because he's in his later years. It's quite the opposite. After some quick conversions, it's revealed that with Thor being just over 1500 years old based on Avengers: Infinity War and Asgardians living for about 5000 years according to Thor: The Dark World, Thor would be closer to 24 years old in Asgardian years. This would mean he still hasn't found who he is as a god or a man yet and has now hit a point in his life where that is his main focus.
Ironically, placing Thor in his mid-20s and experiencing his own existential crisis also helps to make sense of the rest of his character's journey. For starters, he's always been a hotheaded Avenger but went through the most change of any of the others. Where he began as someone dutiful, he later learned that there was more to life than vengeance or glory. These changes impacted his life as an Avenger and placed him on the path he's been on since he left Earth with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
However, Thor's franchise had the character go through an even earlier growth as he changed from an arrogant young man to a dutiful god and later into someone who had to make tough choices as King of Asgard. This particular arc showed him that even as a king, he couldn't save everyone. But with that knowledge, he had essentially learned how harsh the universe could be. This juxtaposes how most teenagers who graduate into adulthood must quickly see that the world can be an unforgiving place should they let it walk all over them. Eventually, this lesson shapes people into who they are meant to be and often requires some inward inspection.
Thor is at this particular point in his life, which could mean major revelations for the character. Now, he will be in a position to finally discover who he really is. This could mean he will either be a hero or something else entirely. Nevertheless, he may learn what that is at the end of Love and Thunder. But when the time comes, it will surely be a shock for those watching, especially if Thor's next step leaves him without a name and a weapon.
Thor: Love and Thunder will show a god who has experienced much in his young life and is ready to find where his true purpose lies. To do this, he will have to grow inwardly and figure out what makes him his best self. But in the end, that is how life is for many young adults. It may be similar to a mid-life crisis, but a quarter-life crisis is something more; it's a chance for a person to become who they'll be forever.
Thor: Love and Thunder arrives in theaters on July 8.