Thelma (2024 film)

Last updated

Thelma
Thelma 2024 film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJosh Margolin
Written byJosh Margolin
Produced by
  • Zoë Worth
  • Chris Kaye
  • Nicholas Weinstock
  • Benjamin Simpson
  • Karl Spoerri
  • Viviana Vezzani
Starring
Cinematography David Bolen
Edited byJosh Margolin
Music byNick Chuba
Production
companies
  • Bandwagon
  • Zurich Avenue
  • Invention Studios
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures
Release dates
  • January 18, 2024 (2024-01-18)(Sundance)
  • June 21, 2024 (2024-06-21)(United States)
Running time
98 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$12 million [2] [3]

Thelma is a 2024 American comedy-drama film written, directed and edited by Josh Margolin. The film stars June Squibb as an elderly woman who falls victim to a phone scam, and sets out to find the perpetrators with the help of her grandson (Fred Hechinger) and friend (Richard Roundtree, in his final role); Clark Gregg, Parker Posey, and Malcolm McDowell also star. [4]

Contents

Thelma premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, and was released in the United States by Magnolia Pictures on June 21, 2024. The film received positive reviews and grossed $12 million worldwide.

Plot

93-year-old Thelma Post lives alone in Los Angeles. Her aimless but loving grandson Daniel "Danny" Markowitz often visits and looks after her needs despite not taking responsibility for his own life. Although Thelma is close with Danny, she finds his constant assistance patronizing.

A phone scammer calls Thelma posing as Danny, claiming he has been arrested. Thelma sends $10,000 to a local address as instructed. After a panic involving her daughter Gail and son-in-law Alan, Thelma finds out Danny is safe and she was scammed. Unable to get help from the police and unwilling to let the scammer get away with her money, Thelma evades her family and sets out to the address to retrieve it.

Thelma attempts to contact old friends for a favor but discovers most of them have died or moved away. She reluctantly enlists the help of Ben, a friend and widower living in assisted living whom she had been ignoring since her husband's death. They ride Ben's expensive 2-person scooter to the home of Mona, their elderly acquaintance. Thelma steals Mona's gun while Ben distracts her. Meanwhile, Danny, Gail, and Alan realize Thelma is missing and search for her to no avail. During an argument with his parents, Danny vents about his recent breakup with his girlfriend and his lack of skills aside from looking after Thelma, fearing he will go nowhere in life.

Thelma and Ben get lost in a shady neighborhood as they near the scammer's address. Ben insists on turning back, but Thelma refuses. They argue, and Ben chastises Thelma for her avoidance of him and her unwillingness to allow people to help her, which reminds him of how his impaired hearing prevented him from registering his late wife's fall years earlier until it was too late. Thelma admits she didn't need him, just his scooter. Ben’s scooter is then destroyed by a reckless driver, prompting him to abandon Thelma. Thelma continues alone on foot, eventually suffering a fall. She realizes she can not get up on her own and gives up hope until Ben returns to assist her and the two reconcile.

Thelma and Ben reach the address, where a young man collects Thelma's money from a PO box. They follow him to a rundown antique store. Ben listens through their connected phones while Thelma sneaks in and discovers the owner, Harvey, and his grandson Michael running a scam operation in the backroom. Thelma demands her money back, but they refuse, and Harvey grabs her arm. Harvey, who relies on an oxygen regulator and his grandson, laments that his store is failing and has resorted to scamming people to stay financially stable. Thelma pretends not to know who they are and apologizes for being a nuisance. Once seated, she pulls Mona's gun on Harvey. Michael tries to escape but is knocked out by Ben outside. Thelma uses Harvey’s computer while Ben holds Harvey at gunpoint but struggles with the banking system. She calls Danny for help, and he guides her through transferring the money while driving to pick them up. Michael re-enters the store, but Thelma tells him that Harvey talks down about him, leading Michael to abandon his grandfather. Thelma leaves Harvey $500 of the $10,000 transfer and scolds him for tricking people and not appreciating his grandson. Thelma and Ben exit the store triumphantly before being picked up by Danny.

Thelma is reunited with her family and they watch Ben perform in a play at the nursing home. She has a newfound respect for Ben, and they make plans to get together in the near future. While visiting her husband's gravesite with Danny, Thelma assures her grandson that he will be fine when she is eventually gone. As Daniel drives Thelma home, they talk in the car about how incredible it is that the trees are still alive, no matter how gnarled their roots look.

Cast

June Squibb and Fred Hechinger at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Sundance Film Festival 2024 - Thelma - June Squibb and Fred Hechinger-104A1882.jpg
June Squibb and Fred Hechinger at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Release

Thelma premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024. It was released theatrically in the United States by Magnolia Pictures on June 21, 2024. [5] [6] It released in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2024. [1]

This is Roundtree's final feature film, having been released after his death in 2023. [7]

Reception

Box office

Thelma grossed $9.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $12 million. [2] [3]

In the United States and Canada, Thelma was released alongside The Bikeriders and The Exorcism . [8] It grossed $2.3 million from 1,290 theaters in its opening weekend, finishing in eighth. [9]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 98% of 191 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10.The website's consensus reads: "A stellar showcase for the talented June Squibb, Thelma avoids cheap laughs as it finds the lighter side of some serious issues." [10] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Thelma & Louise</i> 1991 film by Ridley Scott

Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri. The film stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as Louise and Thelma, two friends who embark on a road trip that ends up in unforeseen circumstances. The supporting cast includes Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Brad Pitt. Filming took place in California and Utah from June to August 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregg Araki</span> American film director

Gregg Araki is an American filmmaker. He is noted for his heavy involvement with the New Queer Cinema movement. His film Kaboom (2010) was the first winner of the Cannes Film Festival Queer Palm.

<i>Wet Hot American Summer</i> 2001 American comedy film

Wet Hot American Summer is a 2001 American satirical comedy film directed by David Wain from a screenplay written by Wain and Michael Showalter. The film features an ensemble cast, with Janeane Garofalo and David Hyde Pierce starring alongside Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, Zak Orth, A. D. Miles, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Marisa Ryan, Kevin Sussman, Joe Lo Truglio, and Elizabeth Banks. It takes place during the last full day at a fictional summer camp in 1981, and spoofs the sex comedies aimed at teen audiences of that era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parker Posey</span> American actress and musician (born 1968)

Parker Christian Posey is an American actress. She was labeled "Queen of the Indies" for her roles in a succession of independent films throughout the 1990s, such as Dazed and Confused (1993), Party Girl, The Doom Generation, Kicking and Screaming, The Daytrippers (1996), The House of Yes, Clockwatchers, and Henry Fool (1998). She is the recipient of nominations for an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Satellite Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards.

<i>The Doom Generation</i> 1995 film by Gregg Araki

The Doom Generation is a 1995 independent black comedy thriller film co-produced, co-edited, written and directed by Gregg Araki, and starring Rose McGowan, James Duval and Jonathan Schaech. The plot follows two troubled teenage lovers who pick up an adolescent drifter and embark on a journey full of sex, violence, and convenience stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Roundtree</span> American actor (1942–2023)

Richard Arnold Roundtree was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel, as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974). He was also known for featuring in several TV series, including Roots, Generations, and Desperate Housewives.

<i>Duplex</i> (film) 2003 film by Danny DeVito

Duplex is a 2003 American black comedy film directed by Danny DeVito and written by Larry Doyle. The film stars Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore with Eileen Essell, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Wisdom, Justin Theroux and James Remar in supporting roles.

<i>The House of Yes</i> 1997 American film

The House of Yes is a 1997 American dark comedy film adapted from the play of the same name by Wendy MacLeod. The film was written and directed by Mark Waters, produced by Robert Berger, and stars Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Geneviève Bujold. It was released in the United States by Miramax Films on October 10, 1997. The House of Yes received a divided critical reaction, with Posey winning a Sundance Award and Spelling receiving a Razzie Award nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clark Gregg</span> American actor, director, and screenwriter (born 1962)

Robert Clark Gregg Jr. is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Phil Coulson in films and television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2008 to 2021. Gregg also voiced Coulson in the animated television series Ultimate Spider-Man (2012–2017) and the video games Lego Marvel Super Heroes (2013), Marvel Heroes (2013), and Lego Marvel's Avengers (2016).

<i>Newness</i> 2017 American film

Newness is a 2017 American romantic drama film directed by Drake Doremus from a screenplay by Ben York Jones. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, Courtney Eaton, Danny Huston and Esther Perel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooney Mara</span> American actress (born 1985)

Rooney Mara Phoenix is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a British Academy Film Award.

<i>V/H/S/2</i> 2013 horror anthology film

V/H/S/2 is a 2013 found footage horror anthology film produced by Bloody Disgusting and Roxanne Benjamin. The sequel to V/H/S (2012) and the second installment in the V/H/S franchise, it comprises four found footage segments linked together by a fifth frame narrative. The film features a largely different group of directors: Jason Eisener, Gareth Wuw Evans, Timo Tjahjanto, Eduardo Sánchez, and Gregg Hale, and franchise returnees Simon Barrett and Adam Wingard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">June Squibb</span> American actress (born 1929)

June Louise Squibb is an American actress. She began her career by making her Broadway debut in the musical Gypsy (1959). Her first film role was in the 1990 romantic comedy Alice by Woody Allen. She later had supporting roles in the films The Age of Innocence (1993), In & Out (1997), Meet Joe Black (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Far from Heaven (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hannah Fidell</span> American film director

Hannah Margalit Fidell is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Her directorial debut was the drama film A Teacher (2013). She also wrote and directed the romantic drama film 6 Years (2015) and the comedy film The Long Dumb Road (2018).

<i>Results</i> (film) 2015 American film

Results is a 2015 indie romantic comedy film written and directed by Andrew Bujalski. The film stars Guy Pearce, Cobie Smulders, Kevin Corrigan, Giovanni Ribisi, Brooklyn Decker, Anthony Michael Hall, and Constance Zimmer.

<i>James White</i> (film) 2015 American drama film by Josh Mond

James White is a 2015 American drama film written and directed by Josh Mond. The film stars Christopher Abbott, Cynthia Nixon, Scott Mescudi, Ron Livingston, Makenzie Leigh and David Call. James, a twenty-something New Yorker, struggles to take control of his self-destructive behavior in the face of momentous family challenges.

<i>The Discovery</i> (film) 2017 film by Charlie McDowell

The Discovery is a 2017 British-American romantic science fiction film, directed by Charlie McDowell from a screenplay by himself and Justin Lader. It stars Rooney Mara, Jason Segel, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough, and Ron Canada.

<i>Am I OK?</i> 2022 film by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne

Am I OK? is a 2022 American comedy drama film directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne and written by Lauren Pomerantz. It stars Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, Whitmer Thomas, Odessa A'zion, Sean Hayes, and Notaro. The film's screenplay is loosely based on screenwriter Pomerantz' personal life and her friendship with Jessica Elbaum, who also serves as producer.

"Bart's in Jail!" is the second episode of the thirty-third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 708th episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 3, 2021. The episode was directed by Steven Dean Moore, and written by Nick Dahan.

References

  1. 1 2 "Thelma (12A)". BBFC . June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Thelma – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Thelma". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ Grobar, Matt (November 21, 2022). "June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg & Malcolm McDowell Set For Josh Margolin Comedy 'Thelma'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  5. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (December 6, 2023). "2024 Sundance Film Festival Lineup: New Steven Soderbergh Film, Kristen Stewart Love Story and Devo Doc". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ Grobar, Matt (March 5, 2024). "June Squibb Action Comedy Thelma Sets Summer Release With Magnolia Pictures". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  7. ↑ Meilstrup, Adam (June 20, 2024). "'Miss Him a Lot': Richard Roundtree Honored by Co-Star of Final Film". CBR . Retrieved June 29, 2024. Squibb also added, 'I did love him. We all did. And I think we feel very honored that we shared his last film with him.'
  8. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 24, 2024). "Inside Out 2 Record Second Weekend For Animated Pic Bigger At $101M – Monday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Domestic 2024 Weekend 25". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Thelma". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved September 26, 2024. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  11. ↑ "Thelma". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.