Move over Liam Neeson, there is a new action star proving that age is just a number: June Squibb in Thelma. The 94-year-young Oscar-nominated actress headlines the action movie from the 2024 new movie schedule.
Thelma was one of the buzziest titles out of Sundance, which is no small feat considering among this year's crop of titles included the Kristen Stewart-led Love Lies Bleeding, the horror movie I Saw the TV Glow, Netflix movie Hit Man, the dramedy A Real Pain and the truly out there Sasquatch Sunset. But Thelma charmed audiences in Park City and then did so again in theaters.
Here is what you need to know about Thelma.
Thelma how to watch
Thelma is now streaming on Hulu in the US, as well as being available through digital on-demand platforms. In the UK, the movie is only on digital on-demand platforms.
Thelma cast
June Squibb got a later start to her movie and TV career, but she has only gotten more prolific in recent years. She has been a guest start on TV shows like Law & Order, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Young and the Restless, Girls, Glee, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Shameless, Grey's Anatomy and more. In movies, she has starred in In & Out, About Schmidt, 7 Days in Hell, Palm Springs, Hubie Halloween and Nebraska, the latter of which she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Not only is this the first action movie that Squibb has done (apparently including performing most of her own stunts), but it is the first leading role for the long-time character actress.
Though some of her supporting cast has experience in the genre, including the late Richard Roundtree, who gives his final big screen performance after a career highlighted by his role as Shaft, and Clark Gregg, a Marvel Cinematic Universe veteran.
Other members of the supporting cast include Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus season 1, The Pale Blue Eye), Parker Posey (Beau Is Afraid, The Staircase) and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Son of a Critch).
Thelma plot
With a script by Josh Margolin that is said to be based on the real-life experience of his own grandmother, Thelma follows Thelma Post, a 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her.
Thelma trailer
Check out this comedy/action-packed trailer for the film that should make you truly appreciate June Squibb.
Thelma reviews
Thelma has a 98% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praising Squibb's lead performance and proving to be a movie that has more to offer than just its gag of an elderly grandmother doing action sequences.
Thelma awards
Check out the major awards and nominations that Thelma has received:
Critics Choice Awards
- Best Comedy (nominee)
Independent Spirit Awards
- Best Lead Performance — June Squibb (nominee)
National Board of Review
- Top 10 Independent Film
Thelma director
In addition to writing Thelma, Josh Margolin made his feature directing debut with the movie. Margolin has worked as an actor and writer in various projects, including shorts, guest appearances on shows like Hot in Cleveland and indie movies, but Thelma is set to be his biggest project to date.
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