Meet Your New Kick-Ass Superhero, 94-Year-Old June Squibb

Summary

• June Squibb shines in
  Thelma
  as a fearless action hero, proving age is just a number when embarking on wild escapades.
• Thelma
  brings a fresh and fun twist to the action genre, filled with humor, heartwarming moments, and stellar performances from supporting actors like Richard Roundtree, Fred Hechinger, and Parker Posey.
• Director Josh Margolin crafts a delightful film that celebrates friendship, family, and the adventurous spirit of living boldly at any age.

Step aside Ryan Gosling and Tom Cruise — there’s a new action hero commanding the spotlight. That’s June Squibb, the 94-year-old Oscar-nominated actress (Nebraska) who delights in writer/director Josh Margolin’s spirited action spoof, Thelma. The nonagenarian proves that you’re never too old to believe in yourself and partake in unexpected adventures — both on and off-screen. Heck, Squibb is the emotional elixir we’ve all been waiting for in yet another contentious election year that can so easily spawn existential malaise.

Thelma is the farthest thing from that. Squibb plays Thelma Post, a 93-year-old grandmother with fiery determination. When Thelma gets conned by a slick phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (her actual grandson is played by the incredibly warm Fred Hechinger of The White Lotus), she isn’t about to let it pass. Instead, she sets out on a dangerous yet hilarious quest across Los Angeles, bringing along an aging pal (Shaft’sRichard Roundtree in his last performance) and his motorized scooter, to out-swindle her swindler and get back what was taken from her.

Parker Posey (The White Lotus, Party Girl), Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell round out the cast in one of the most engaging and heartwarming films to hit the screen in years.

Thelma Offers a Fun Twist to the Action Genre

Thelma (2024)

4.5/5

Thelma is a 2024 comedy film written and directed by Josh Margolin. Thelma Post finds herself duped out of money and more when a scam caller pretends to be her grandson. Unwilling to sit back and let herself be a victim, she sets off into the city to find the perpetrator and take back what is hers.

Release Date June 21, 2024

Director Josh Margolin

Runtime 1h 37m

Writers Josh Margolin

Studio(s) Zurich Avenue , Invention Studios , Bandwagon

Distributor(s) Magnolia Pictures

Pros

• June Squibb is triumphant in Thelma, and you root for her more than practically any film character in 2024.
• Josh Margolin’s funny and sweet writing, excellent action editing, and confident direction are great.
• Thelma is incredibly inspiring and fun, and the whole cast is phenomenal.

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Based on the real-life experiences of Margolin’s own grandmother, Thelma is a joyous affair that puts a crafty spin on blockbusters like Mission: Impossible. The story finds Thelma fully self-sufficient and living on her own, but that doesn’t ease her daughter, Gail’s (Posey), worries. There’s a shared bond with grandson Danny (Hechinger), who helps out with all things tech, which fascinates Thelma to no end. Bottom line: she’s no wilting daisy. At one point, Thelma muses, “You start acting like a baby, people start treating you like a baby.”

It’s with that kind of vigor that Thelma decides to do the seemingly impossible: Hunt down the phone scammer who robbed her of $10,000. She’ll need help, however, and she’s not one to go to her daughter with her troubles. Instead, Thelma heads to the assisted living facility and calls upon her pal, Ben (Roundtree), who isn’t all that keen on the idea initially. Thelma scooter-jacks herself toward freedom, but Ben, devoted as he is, insists on coming along for the ride — literally — to make sure his friend diverts danger.

This groovy twist on the action-movie genre delivers its share of infectious humor as Thelma — and Squibb — steer the film into a wacky misadventure in its second half. The few bumps in Thelma’s plan attempt to get resolved as she treks through L.A. proper, before the next challenge emerges — ultimately confronting the scammer. As befits a fun tale such as this, several plot twists emerge related to how Thelma got scammed and why. It further drives the narrative, and when news of Thelma’s disappearance sends warning signals to her family, soon they’re on a quest to find her, with Danny leading the way.

Related: 12 Great Action Movies With Older Main Characters

June Squibb Becomes a Nonagenarian Action Star

Three months ago, few of us would have believed that a 94-year-old actress (Squibb) and an 81-year-old actor (Roundtree) scooting around San Fernando Valley would be the best form of therapy around. Squibb and Roundtree are a perfect dynamic duo. Squibb, who did most of her own “stunts” in the film, recalls the heartwarming and ageless appeal of Betty White, who also so often reminded us in her later roles that age is just a number, and that maybe we are, indeed, more resilient than we can ever imagine. Squibb is sharp, funny, playful, curious, and self-assured. Meet your new national treasure.

Writer/director Josh Margolin might offer a sweet spin on the familiar tropes of the action-movie genre, but he also goes after your heart without manipulating his way there. Thankfully, the film doesn’t rush to make its point. The writing is even and clear, and the director’s execution is steady and grounded. Margolin also serves as the film’s editor and there’s something to appreciate in the way his action scenes emerge organically. In the hands of another director, things would have been played way over the top.

Related 13 of the Best Action Comedies, Ranked

The past couple of decades have seen a rise in dark humor and violence on-screen, which have combined to create some phenomenal action comedies.

This also marks Margolin’s feature film debut, and Squibb’s first role as a main headliner after many decades playing supporting roles — from her first film role in 1990’s Alice to The Age of Innocence, About Schmidt, and Far from Heaven. The supporting cast all hit their marks, with Fred Hechinger’s Danny emerging as a nice ally for his grandmother.

Thelma Is a Movie for Everybody

Thelma is as much about the deepening bonds of friendship and family, as it is about allowing your curiosity and spirit to soar. It’s also a movie about the little dangers people face at various stages of age. Maybe that’s what makes Squibb, and, in turn, Thelma, so fabulous. It’s a movie for everybody.

It’s surely not about the end of life. Thelma is about living as boldly as you can wherever you find yourself in linear time and space. Watch for a stellar pulse-pounding kick toward the end of the film as our dear Thelma gets to live out her Tom Cruise action-hero fantasy. Wonderfully handled. Bottom line: Thelma packs a punch and melts your heart in the process. Thelma hits theaters June 21, 2024, from Magnolia Pictures.

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