It’s both the years and the mileage in geriatric revenge thriller Thelma.
Revenge thrillers have been all the rage, recently – maybe because rage seems to be all around us these days. But move over, John Wick. Make way, Nobody – there’s a new vigilante on the block, and she’s got years of experience, and then some. Thelma is not your typical senior citizen cinematic caper. It’s less about watching an elderly woman’s slow decline and more about seeing her take charge—albeit at a pace more suited to leisurely scooter rides than high-speed chases.
After Thelma (June Squibb) is scammed out of $10,000 dollars, her family, led by her overly cautious daughter Gail (Parker Posey), frets that perhaps it’s time to move Thelma into a care home. But Thelma, ever defiant, decides it’s actually time for action. Enlisting Ben (Richard Roundtree), her grumpy yet good-hearted widower friend, the two set off on a mission to recover her cash.
Squibb’s portrayal of Thelma is the heart of the film, and her mix of stubbornness and wit ensures that while she might need a hand up after a fall, she certainly doesn’t need anyone to fight her battles for her. Watching her and Roundtree bicker, scheme, and occasionally blunder their way through the streets, you can’t help but root for them. It’s like The Golden Girls meets Mission: Impossible – but with less grandstanding stunt work than the latter and less sex than the former.
Thelma’s greatest strength is that it never turns its characters into the punchline of its gentle humour. Sure, there’s the odd stumble (both literally and figuratively), but the laughs come from the characters’ interactions and quirks rather than any cheap shots at their age. Thelma and Ben are treated with respect, even when they’re in over their heads, as they often are.
There’s a particularly sharp edge to Thelma’s comedy – Margolin’s direction never lets the film drift into mawkishness. Instead, the jokes and heartfelt moments land with a grace that only comes with experience, much like the film’s cast. Richard Roundtree, in his final role, gives a performance that’s as gruff as it is tender. His chemistry with Squibb is delightful, and their odd-couple dynamic keeps things moving even when their characters aren’t.
Of course, you can’t have a revenge thriller without a bad guy to take revenge against and that’s where Malcolm McDowell comes in with a turn as a sleazy scammer adds just the right amount of menace, and pathos to this otherwise light-hearted tale. He’s a perfect foil for Thelma, but you can’t help but sympathise with him just a little as it becomes clear he’s maybe a bit out of his depth, too.
In the end, Thelma treats the subject of growing old with a much more contemplative and empathetic air than you might expect from its zany central premise. It’s a film that finds heart and humour in the human experience of growing old – or adapting to loved ones growing older – without ever poking fun at its characters for doing just that. It’s a reminder that while age might slow you down, it doesn’t stop you from fighting for what’s right—especially when that fight involves getting your money back, one slow, steady step at a time.
