When you think action thriller, you wouldn’t place a 93-year-old grandma as the lead. But that’s precisely what makes Thelma special. Part Mission: Impossible, part Matlock, part Golden Girls, this film is a charming and heartfelt adventure that proves age is no barrier to heroism.
June Squibb plays Thelma, a grandmother who gets scammed over the phone by a fraudster pretending to be her grandson, Danny, portrayed by Fred Hechinger. But instead of chalking it up as a loss, she does what any action hero would: she goes on a mission to get her money back. With help from her friend, Ben, played by Richard Roundtree (in his final role), Thelma embarks on a quest filled with just enough danger and plenty of comedic mishaps to make it a geriatric thrill ride.
Director Josh Margolin, inspired by his own grandmother’s real-life scam experience, balances humor with real emotional weight. The slow-speed scooter chases, Thelma’s deadpan defiance, and the sheer audacity of an elderly woman taking on a faceless scammer create a unique kind of tension. It’s funny, yes, but it’s also deeply satisfying to see a character so often sidelined in Hollywood take charge of her own narrative.
Thelma is a gem. It’s an action film that trades oozies and karate kicks for the pure dedication of a grandma scorned, proving that the best heroes don’t always have to run fast or fight hard. You’ll smile your way through the 99-minute film and reminisce about your own grandma, rooting for Thelma’s ultimate success.
RHFC Rating: 7.5/10 🍿
