Thelma (2024)

Director: Josh Margolin

Starring: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree

When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.

Its not often we see a movie where the lead character is 93 years old; let alone the protagonist being 93! What makes it even more incredible, is the fact the lead actress, June Squibb, was 93 years of age when the film was made!

June Squibb stars as Thelma, an old lady who is just learning about computers thanks to her Grandson Danny, (Fred Hechinger). One day she gets a call from Danny saying he was in an accident and that he is in jail, and needs $10,000. Frantic, Thelma sends the money, only to find out soon after Danny never phoned her, and wasn’t in an accident. She’s been scammed.

Now, Thelma is trying to figure out who scammed her – and she wants her money back! Her old friend Ben reluctantly joins her on her quest, while her family is searching for her. While ‘Thelma’ might seem like just a delightful comedy, there’s a few lessons here as well if you read between the lines. We also get a glimpse of what it must be like to get old. I really enjoyed the film’s elderly cast.

Most of the events in the film are realistic, and although the conclusion might be too easy and not entirely realistic, it sure as hell is entertaining! June Squibb carries the film with ease, despite her age, and she makes a worthy – and funny – protagonist! She was fabulous!

The film is inspired by the events of the real Thelma (now 103 years old), who almost lost a small fortune to scammers. The real Thelma makes an appearance during the credits.

Would I watch it again? Maybe.