Scammed by a fake grandson, a grandmother teams up with a friend and his electric scooter on a wild adventure to take back what’s hers. A film by Josh Margolin, starring June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Clark Gregg, Parker Posey, and Malcolm McDowell.

Daniel Markowitz (Fred Hechinger), Thelma Post’s beloved grandson, helps his 93-year-old grandmother navigate her computer as she struggles to scroll through her emails. With patience, he teaches Thelma (June Squibb) how to use the mouse’s scroll wheel. Together, they finally locate the email she’s been searching for, an email from Bobby. To their delight, the email contains a recording of “Some Enchanted Evening,” a classic song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical South Pacific, presumably sung by her late husband Teddy.

“Some Enchanted Evening,” a song from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, is highly regarded and has achieved significant popularity over the decades. Originally recorded by Italian opera singer Ezio Pinza, the original Broadway cast member, it is often described as “the single biggest popular hit to come out of any Rodgers and Hammerstein show” and has been praised by notable figures, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, who called it “the greatest song ever written for a musical.” The song has been recorded by a variety of prominent artists, contributing to its enduring popularity. Perry Como’s version reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1949, while other artists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Jo Stafford also released successful renditions that charted well. Over the years, the song has been covered by a wide array of musicians, including Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, and The Temptations, further cementing its status as an American standard.

Daniel frequently visits Thelma who lives alone, helping out and keeping her company. While watching “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” together, Daniel mentions he’s still on a break with his girlfriend, Allie. Thelma, impressed by the action scenes, asks if it’s really Tom Cruise doing the stunts. Daniel confirms it is, much to her amazement.

As Daniel prepares to leave, Thelma gives him a marble and a jar of pretzels. Before going, he tries to convince her to wear a fall detector bracelet. Thelma resists, insisting she knows she’s “toast” if she falls, so she simply won’t fall. She argues that there’s no point in wearing it. Daniel gently persists, saying it would ease his mind. Thelma reluctantly agrees, allowing him to put it on her wrist. However, after Daniel’s gone, Thelma eventually removes the bracelet.

Thelma’s days alone follow a familiar routine. She starts by sorting her medications, then settles in front of the TV for some news and cross-stitching. Throughout the day, she checks her email, watching video clips and occasionally replying to messages she finds entertaining. She also enjoys a game of Mahjong on her computer, brews coffee, and pedals away on her pedal exerciser. While scrolling through Instagram, Thelma accidentally snaps a photo and posts it. She receives a message from Ben, who’s just got his scooter back from the shop and suggests meeting for lunch. Thelma, seemingly uninterested, erases the message. As evening falls, she winds down her day. With a familiar gesture, she removes her hearing aids and tucks herself into bed.

The next day, Thelma’s phone rings from an unknown caller. A voice calls her “grandma,” and she assumes it’s her grandson Daniel. The caller claims he’s been in an accident and is in jail. When Thelma notes his voice sounds odd, he explains it’s due to a broken nose. He tells her that a defense attorney will call about bail money. Suddenly, the “attorney” calls, instructing Thelma to mail $10,000 to an address he provides. Panicked, Thelma scrambles around her house, gathering cash she’s stashed away. She tries to reach her daughter Gail (Parker Posey), but can’t get through. Desperate, Thelma hails a cab to the post office, attempting to call her son-in-law Alan (Clark Gregg) en route, but he’s unavailable too. At the post office, Thelma grows impatient with the long line. On impulse, she steps out of the queue and drops an envelope stuffed with $10,000 cash directly into the mail collection box.

When Gail finally returns Thelma’s call after noticing five missed calls from her mother, panic sets in as she learns something has happened to her son, Daniel. Her anxiety intensifies when she tries to call Daniel, but he doesn’t answer. Alan, her husband, reaches out to ask what’s going on. Gail shares the distressing news she received from Thelma: Daniel is in jail, and someone has broken his nose. Gail quickly gets into her car and drives home while attempting to call Daniel again. This time, he answers, revealing that he has been sleeping at home all along.

Gail, Alan, and Daniel gather at Thelma’s home and learns she has fallen victim to a scam. Thelma feels embarrassed that she was fooled by a con artist posing as her grandson Daniel and lost $10,000. Together, they drive to the police station to file a report. However, Detective Morgan (Chase Kim) explains that recovering the money or catching the scammer is unlikely, especially since Thelma discarded the address she sent the cash to after mailing the envelope at the post office.

At Thelma’s home, thinking Thelma’s asleep, they begin to discuss Thelma’s her declining health and worsening confusion. Gail suggests they should consider whether living alone is still the best option for Thelma. However, Daniel believes he can manage the situation by checking on her more frequently, calling daily, and ensuring she wears her Lifeline Fall Detection device. Unbeknownst to them, Thelma overhears the conversation and becomes despondent.

The next morning, Thelma spots Tom Cruise on the front page of a newspaper. The headline proclaims, “Superstar Cruise shows audiences he’s still got it!” praising his latest Mission: Impossible film. This sparks a glimmer of hope in Thelma. She thinks, “If Tom Cruise can do his own stunts at his age, maybe I can get my money back too.”

Determined, she sets out on foot, walking several blocks to the post office. She heads straight for the restroom, where she begins rummaging through a trash bin. Thelma remembers tossing a piece of paper with the address she’d sent her money to. After some digging, her persistence pays off – she finds the crumpled note.

Excited, Thelma calls Daniel to share her good news. But instead of congratulating her, Daniel starts patronizing her when he learns she went out alone. “It’s not safe,” he insists. “If you want to go somewhere, you need to tell me so I can take you.” Thelma’s heart sinks. Daniel doesn’t seem eager to help her get her money back. When he asks if she’s at home, she lies, saying she is. After hanging up, Thelma starts calling friends who might drive her to the address. To her dismay, she discovers most of her friends have either passed away or moved far away. Feeling desperate and alone, Thelma watches an old man zip by on a small scooter. Suddenly, she remembers Ben mentioning his scooter, and an idea strikes her. She calls Daniel back, asking for a ride. It’s then that Daniel realizes Thelma lied about being at home.

Upon arriving at Belwood Village senior home where Ben lives, Thelma tells Daniel to wait in the car, assuring him she’ll only be thirty minutes. Inside, she approaches Ben (Richard Roundtree) with her plan to borrow his electric scooter. However, Ben proves more cautious than she anticipated, insisting on a full explanation before considering her request. Reluctantly, Thelma reveals her intention to confront the scammer who took her money. Ben flatly refuses, deeming the plan both insane and unsafe. He attempts to persuade her to abandon the idea altogether.

Undeterred, Thelma asks if she could test drive the scooter within the facility. Ben agrees, unaware of her true motives. Seizing the opportunity, Thelma attempts to make off with the scooter. However, Ben, displaying unexpected agility, manages to intercept her. Cornered, Thelma declares her resolve to take the scooter with or without Ben’s consent. Faced with her stubborn determination, Ben ultimately decides to accompany her on this risky mission, realizing it might be the only way to ensure her safety.

Written and directed by American filmmaker Josh Margolin in his directorial debut, THELMA is an action comedy that hits all the right notes. From its believable narrative and amazing cast chemistry to its spot-on comedy that elicits genuine laughter and touching dramatic moments that bring tears to your eyes, the film excels. The cinematography and instrumental soundtrack further elevate the atmosphere.

June Squibb shines as Thelma, a headstrong grandmother determined to reclaim her money at any cost. While her stubbornness occasionally borders on selfishness, Squibb’s portrayal is captivating. Remarkably, at 94, this is Squibb’s first leading role after 34 years in the industry, having debuted in Woody Allen’s “Alice” in 1990.

Fred Hechinger steals the show as Thelma’s grandson, Daniel. Though his character seems aimless and childish, struggling to find direction in life and love, Hechinger’s chemistry with Squibb is charming and genuine. You can feel the deep love he has for his grandmother, and Hechinger’s performance makes him a standout.

Clark Gregg and Parker Posey round out the cast with wonderful performances. Gregg plays Daniel’s cool and collected father, while Posey brings hilarious energy as Daniel’s frantic mother (and Thelma’s daughter). Both actors create memorable comedic and heartfelt moments.

While there are a few plot holes that occasionally stretch believability, THELMA is one of the best action comedy films in recent years. Fred Hechinger is my new favorite actor, and Josh Margolin is definitely on my list of directors to watch.

THELMA premiered at Sundance Film Festival on 18 January 2024. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 21 June, by Magnolia Pictures.