Summary
Thelma is a 2024 comedy-drama written, directed, and edited by Josh Margolin.
It tells the story of Thelma Post, a 93-year-old grandmother (played by June Squibb) who becomes the victim of a ruthless phone scam, someone pretends to be her grandson in jail and convinces her to send money.
Humiliated but determined, Thelma embarks on a mission to reclaim what was stolen, aided by her grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger) and an old friend, Ben (Richard Roundtree), in a caper that mixes humor, action tropes, and a heartfelt meditation on aging.
Plot
Thelma is a widow living alone in Los Angeles, navigating the challenges of old age with wit and stubbornness. She shares a close bond with her grandson Daniel, a young man adrift in life. When Thelma receives a phone call from someone claiming to be Daniel — supposedly jailed and needing bail money — she is convinced to send $10,000 to help him.
Once she realizes she’s been scammed and her family dismisses her concerns, Thelma refuses to be a passive victim. She enlists Ben, a longtime friend with limited mobility, borrows his two-seat mobility scooter, and sets off across the city in a kind of “Mission: Impossible”-style quest tailored to her age.
Along the way, she confronts not only the scammer but also her own limitations and the way society underestimates seniors.
The story climaxes in a mix of tender moments, action beats, and emotional reconciliation.
Main Actors
- June Squibb as Thelma Post — her first leading role, embodying a grandmother’s grit and vulnerability.
- Fred Hechinger as Daniel, her grandson — lost but loving, a generational counterpoint.
- Richard Roundtree as Ben, Thelma’s old friend — his final film role; his chemistry with Thelma is touching and vital.
- Parker Posey as Gail, Thelma’s daughter.
- Clark Gregg as Alan, Thelma’s son-in-law.
- Malcolm McDowell in a pivotal role as well.
Where to Watch
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Thelma was released theatrically on June 21, 2024, and became available on streaming from July 19, 2024. Some viewers report it’s available on Hulu.
Awards & Recognition
- Thelma premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
- It was named one of the Top 10 Independent Films of 2024 by the National Board of Review.
- On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an extremely high 98% Tomatometer based on over 200 critic reviews.
- On Metacritic, it has a score of 77, indicating generally favorable reviews.
Review
Thelma is deceptively powerful. At first glance, it might seem like a quirky comedy about a granny on a scooter, but director Josh Margolin weaves in real social commentary about aging, dignity, and exploitation. The film’s pacing and tone strike an impressive balance: it’s lighthearted without trivializing the very real trauma of elder scams.
June Squibb is the heart and soul of the film. Her performance is warm, spirited, fearless — she carries the weight of the plot with humor and grace, making Thelma both relatable and heroic. Even more touching is her relationship with Daniel (Hechinger): their scenes feel lived in, not overly sentimental, and grounded in real generational tension.
Richard Roundtree’s presence as Ben adds emotional resonance. The scooter ride across the city is funny but also bittersweet — a symbol of both freedom and frailty. The screenplay cleverly mimics action-movie tropes (there are echoes of Mission: Impossible) but adapts them for someone in her nineties. Critics like Roger Ebert highlight this blend of action and intimate family drama as one of the film’s greatest strengths.
The film also tackles the stigma around aging: Thelma refuses to be “put away,” and her quest isn’t just about money — it’s about proving her agency and worth. The humor is sharp but never demeaning, and Margolin beautifully avoids turning Thelma into a stereotype or a punchline. The Guardian praises this very aspect, noting how the film “values the dignity Thelma seeks in a society that infantilizes and marginalizes elderly people.”
Personal Opinion
For me, Thelma stands out as one of the most touching and original films of 2024. It’s rare to see a movie centered on a nonagenarian with such energy and purpose. Watching Thelma ride her scooter into action felt oddly liberating — like seeing someone refuse to fade quietly into the sunset.
I loved how the film didn’t shy away from real issues: phone scams scaring seniors, loneliness, the criminalization (or dismissal) of their voices. But it also gives hope: Thelma doesn’t wait for rescue; she designs her own mission. Squibb’s performance is a highlight of her career, and Roundtree’s final role is dignified and memorable.
The movie made me laugh, but it also made me want to call my grandparents and check in on them. Thelma is both a gentle warning and a celebration — a reminder that age is not weakness, and that courage takes many forms.
Why This Matters for Readers of Video Game / Mini PC Sites
If you enjoy comparisons and reviews on complex tech — whether it’s comparing video game consoles, hardware performance or usability — you’ll appreciate Thelma’s deeper message about intergenerational connection and underestimation. Just like how one might write a review for a mini PC on a site like MiniPC-Review, Thelma prompts us to think critically about how we value experience, age, and resilience.
On a broader note, understanding real-world stories like Thelma can influence how we design technology and interfaces for older users. It’s the kind of film that makes you reflect on user experience beyond just specs — much like how comparisons on Video Game Console Reviews take into account how different audiences (hardcore gamers, casual players, newcomers) actually use their devices.
