Thelma Review

One grandma has one chance to do the impossible.

Revenge never tasted so…old?! Thelma, starring June Squibb, is one of the most delightful and best surprises of 2024. It's a film that entertains, respects and values older people, while also delivering a hefty dose of comedy. Thelma's comedic play on the Mission Impossible and Ocean's 11 franchise from the perspective of a grounded grandmother had me smiling ear to ear throughout the entire run-time. Most importantly, the real loving relationship I could feel between the grandmother and grandson and Thelma's connection to her older friend Ben elevated the film to some absolute new heights with the amount of heart and care put into it.

Thelma follows June Squib, the titular character, as she seeks revenge on scammers who tricked her. June Squibb shines brightly with impeccable comedic timing, sweetness, and badassery for doing these stunts at her age. The earnestness between her and her grandson, played by Fred Hechinger, is not just lovely; it's deeply touching. The way Fred tenderly helps his struggling grandmother use a computer, the way June tries to give her grandson random things in her home, and the way they sit down and understand each other's sentiments on the couch while they watch Tom Cruise do his crazy running in Mission Impossible is just incredibly heartwarming. Again, it's clear director Josh Margolin loves his grandparents immensely based on these sweet interactions.

The other standout here is Ben, played by Richard Roundtree, and his emotional rollercoaster of a ride he goes on with Thelma. They team up Ocean's 11 style to take down the scammers, and how their bond builds over the film is excellent. His presence and comedic execution just frankly rocks. He brings a different element to the film and helps flush out another older person dealing with the struggles of age and how one thrives. There is no looking down or shame for older folks here in Thelma. It's all just a massive love letter to them, and it's so cool they went for it here.

Now, the action. The film's framing device rests on your buying in on the joke of Thelma doing what would be complex tasks for an older person behind Mission Impossible/Spy music. For me, they nailed it. Not just the hilarious nature of the bits, but it also gave real tension to the scenes, which was quite tricky to pull off. The editing and music choices here help these "action" moments not feel dull along with various tasks. I know many people wanted Jason Statham to rip off the heads of scammers like in this year's The Beekeeper, but this was a well-executed classic comedy routine.

There is stuff that doesn't work here, for sure. The parent's relationship with the grandson and his ties to his ex-girlfriend—that material didn't all land for me. I understand why it's there, but it wasn't enough for me to care or find it memorable. I think it’s shot fine; nothing is outstanding about the cinematography, but it still looks nice. The real heart of Thelma is the delightful and hilarious performances and well-crafted ideas for action sequences.

Thelma will be a cherished family favorite from 2024. From Thelma trying to ask every other older person in the movie if they know them to high-speed scooter chases through retirement homes, there's a lot of fun to be had here. What remains ultimately is a love for your grandparents and those older than us. If you need me, I am on the phone with my Nana and Pops, telling them I appreciate and love them dearly.

Final Score: 8/10

Written by Kevin J. Pettit