June Squibb
Thelma
Overview
When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
Brent Marchant
According to playwright David Mamet, “Age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.” And, if 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) has anything to say about it in this fact-based action-comedy-drama, you can take that notion to the bank. In this story of a spry but sometimes-gullible widowed retiree living on her own, we watch – often in jaw-dropping awe – a feisty, independently minded senior determined to get her money back when she’s scammed out of her funds in a phone-based phishing scheme. Thelma says nothing about her plan to her family (Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg), who are already concerned about her ability to continue living on her own, and recruits the assistance of a wily old friend (Richard Roundtree) to join her in her quest to retrieve the stolen cash. The result is an uproarious farce featuring humor that’s clearly outlandish but never implausible or over the top. But there’s more to this offering than laughs – the sight of capable, underestimated elderly folks taking charge over their lives (and, in the case of this picture, even performing their own stunts!) is truly inspiring. This is backed by a potent, poignant (though never preachy) underlying look at what it’s like to grow old and the losses that come with it, a bittersweet meditation on the inevitable changes that come with age and how all too quickly they arrive, material that’s deftly and often philosophically interwoven with the comedy. Director Josh Margolin’s debut feature represents an impressive premiere for the writer-actor, featuring a superbly penned, well-balanced, evenly paced script relating the experiences of his own 103-year-old grandmother, who’s still alive and kicking and whose real-life home was used as one of the film’s principal movie sets. It’s also a triumph for 94-year-old Squibb in her career’s first-ever lead role, one worthy of Oscar contention that effectively depicts a wide-ranging talent that’s been bottled up for far too long. And the film is a fine showcase for Roundtree in his final feature film performance, one in which we see him in a different light from many of his previous roles and in which he’s perfectly matched with his cunning co-star. My only issue with the picture is with the portrayal of Thelma’s family, in which the development of its three principals never comes off quite right, seemingly reaching for something that doesn’t gel properly, an aspect of the narrative that clearly could have used some further refinement. Otherwise, though, “Thelma” (or “Thelmaf” as it was known in an alternate version of the title) is one of the funniest, best produced releases that I’ve seen in quite some time. So hop on your scooter and get your behind to see this one – or else.
Read full reviewCinemaSerf
Grandma "Thelma" (June Squibb) is rather cruelly fleeced by a man pretending that her beloved grandson "Daniel" (Fred Hechinger) has been in a car accident with a pregnant women. $10,000 lighter her family realise she's been scammed and she is having none of it. Recruiting her pal "Ben" (Richard Roundtree) - or, more accurately, car-napping his mobility scooter, she escapes from the protective custody of her family and sets off to find the culprit. Squibb and Roundtree are obviously having great fun here as the pair embark on an engaging series of geriatric adventures that illustrate, clearly, that though the body may be weak the spirit is very much alive and kicking - and you know you're in for a decent denouement with Malcolm McDowell in the starting line-up too. I thought Hechinger tried a bit too hard here, but there is still something enjoyable about his at times rather theatrical performance and his dynamic with the charming and formidably ingenious Squibb. Clark Gregg and Parker Posey make up the rest of the family and quite entertainingly shine a light on the problems of parents dealing with an elderly relative - about whom they do, genuinely, care, whilst also trying to live their own lives and keep an eye on a son who has, just to make matters slightly worse, recently split from the love of his life. It does have a bit of a wobble for ten minutes towards the end as it struggles a little to make a point about the stupidity of the bloody-minded but for the most part there's a good deal to giggle at as the pair go along. You probably won't recall this for long after you watch it, but it's a good laugh that just confirmed what I've thought for ages. Those buggies need a lane of their own!
Read full reviewgood.film
If it was created with a different set of sensibilities, Thelma could’ve easily been a cheap shot at seniors (and a forgettable experience). Imagine a sitcom-style movie with stale gags about how oldies can lose their marbles, their temper, or their bladder control. A film built around a character that’s there purely to be laughed at. Instead, we’re laughing with Thelma Post, and at the assumptions and stereotypes about the elder community that she pierces, one by one, and undermines. It’s great writing, brought to life by an ace June Squibb, firing on all cylinders. Together, they create a poignant reminder that even at 93 – perhaps especially at 93 – you’ve earned the right to maintain your independence and dignity. And maybe set off an explosion or two. Read our full Guide to THELMA at good.film: https://good.film/guide/thelma-makes-you-rethink-your-grandmas-use-by-date
Read full reviewAudience Opinions
Audience 7.3/10
"A warm, funny senior-caper movie powered by June Squibb’s fearless lead turn and an affectionate look at aging."
The mix of action, comedy, and heartfelt drama lands for most, with June Squibb’s stunt-heavy performance, her bond with Richard Roundtree, and the honest focus on elderly independence standing out as the big draw. At the same time, the scam-caper plot feels predictable, some family characters come off as shallow caricatures, and a slow start plus a flat final confrontation keep it from fully matching its most affecting moments.
What viewers praise
- June Squibb shines Her first major lead role at over 90 is described as funny, tough, and deeply moving, to the point some joke that she should replace Tom Cruise in action roles.
- Funny and heartfelt Combines big laughs with emotional beats that leave people both cracking up and quietly crying on the way home.
- Candid view of aging Shows the fears of becoming a burden, the loss of independence, and everyday hazards like stairs with unusual honesty and empathy.
- Touching relationships The bond between Thelma and her grandson, and the sweet, grounded rapport with Richard Roundtree’s character, give the story real warmth.
- Inventive action-comedy angle Reframes phone scams and mobility challenges as a low-key Mission: Impossible-style adventure, with mobility-scooter chases and playful genre nods.
Common complaints
- Thin supporting characters Family figures, especially the daughter and son-in-law, are written as over-the-top buffoons and feel like wasted potential for the actors involved.
- Predictable caper plot The scam and revenge story hits expected beats without many surprises, making the outcome easy to see coming.
- Uneven pacing The opening stretch drags and a few middle sections feel slow before the stronger final act kicks in.
- Overly cutesy tone A whimsical, intrusive score and insistence on keeping things light sometimes smother quieter, more mature moments about aging.
- Underwhelming finale The eventual showdown with the scammer is seen as silly and unsatisfying compared with the emotional build-up.
Recommended for
Heartwarming action-comedy fans June Squibb admirers Stories about aging and family Light caper movie lovers Richard Roundtree fans Feel-good weekend watches
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsGRANDMA WITH A GRUDGE: The Surprisingly Juicy Real-World Tea Behind Thelma (2024)
You thought Thelma was just a gentle little romp about a scammed granny on a scooter? Think again. Behind the mobility aids and mission-impossible VHS tapes lies a trail of stunt drama, awards-season outrage, Tom Cruise blessings, real-life heartbreak, and one extremely legendary grandma.
On-Set “Drama”: Roses, Wigs & a Scooter King
The Thelma set might be the least toxic workplace in Hollywood history, but it did produce one of the sweetest bits of “drama” you’ll ever hear.
Richard Roundtree crashed the set just to spoil June Squibb.
For Squibb’s birthday, the late Shaft icon showed up on a day he wasn’t even scheduled to work, carrying two dozen red roses just for her 
. Not a call sheet in sight—he just rolled in to celebrate his 94-year-old co-star.
He also wore… a white wig. On purpose.
As part of the birthday shenanigans, the team had a bunch of white wigs on hand. Roundtree popped one on to “match” Squibb’s look, and they posed for a photo she still keeps private. The visual: Shaft in a granny wig, lovingly clowning for his co-star [1].
Scooter squad goals.
Squibb has talked about how Roundtree would sit behind her on the mobility scooter between takes, essentially becoming her stunt sidekick as they putter around set together [1]. Instead of on-set feuds, you get grandparent energy and flowers. Hollywood, take notes.
Stunts, Insurance & a 94-Year-Old Who Refused To Sit Down
If there was any real tension behind Thelma, it was this: **How do you stop a 94-year-old Oscar nominee from doing her own stunts when she really wants to?**
June Squibb insisted on doing the falls herself.
Squibb told multiple outlets she doesn’t “think of [herself] as being old,” and pushed to do as much of the physical work as possible—including repeated pratfalls and physical gags 
.
The stunt team basically had to protect her from her own enthusiasm.
Stunt coordinator Ryan Sturz and director Josh Margolin confirmed they used veteran stuntwoman Heidi Pascoe for riskier bits, but Squibb still did a lot herself, which is distinctly not what insurance companies like to hear .
Even the producers got grilled about insuring the movie.
During a Reddit Q&A, a fan directly asked the team whether it was tough to insure a film built around nonagenarian action heroes. While they didn’t give a detailed answer, the very question hints at the behind-the-scenes anxiety of backing a stunt-hungry 94-year-old lead 
.
No scandals, but plenty of “Please don’t die on my set” energy.
Tom Cruise, Secret Benefactor: The Mission: Impossible Blessing
Yes, that Mission: Impossible obsession in Thelma? That’s not just a gag – it’s officially Tom Cruise–sanctioned canon.
They literally went to Tom Cruise for permission.
Director Josh Margolin says they were advised to “give it a whirl” and ask Cruise if they could use real Mission: Impossible footage in the film. Against all odds, Cruise “very generously” signed off and gave them a thumbs up to use the clips .
He’s thanked in the credits… even if he maybe hasn’t seen it.
Margolin has admitted he’s not sure whether Cruise has actually watched Thelma, though the team says they sent it to him [2]. Either way, the movie’s grandma-on-a-mission vibe is a direct homage to his “does his own stunts” mythology.
So yes, your soft little indie about a scammed grandmother quietly has one of the biggest action stars on earth lurking in the background like a benevolent stunt godfather.
Real-Life Thelma: Shot in Grandma’s Actual Condo
You want outrageous trivia? How about this: **parts of Thelma were literally filmed in Thelma’s real apartment.**
Margolin used his real grandmother’s condo as a set.
The director told Filmmaker Magazine he shot portions of the movie in his actual grandma Thelma Post’s Los Angeles condo, which he describes as a “second home” from his childhood . It’s not just inspired by her—she’s baked into the wallpaper.
The real Thelma became a minor celebrity.
Magnolia Pictures even promoted a clip where June Squibb meets the real Thelma Post, introduced as the 103‑year‑old woman who inspired the movie 
.
She lived to 105.
Thelma Post celebrated her 105th birthday in 2025, then passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in April 2026, at age 105 . The film basically turned her into a cinematic folk hero in her final years.
No messy lawsuits. Just a very real grandma, a condo, and some seriously sentimental filmmaking.
Romance Rumors: Fred Hechinger’s 2024 Crossover Couple Era
While Thelma itself stayed squeaky clean romantically, one cast member brought some tabloid flavor from elsewhere in his life.
Fred Hechinger & Victoria Pedretti: 2024’s “Wait, WHAT?” couple.
In February 2024, right around the time Thelma was generating Sundance buzz, You star Victoria Pedretti and The White Lotus alum (and Thelma grandson) Fred Hechinger were photographed kissing during a romantic stroll in New York City [7]. Entertainment sites called it a “crossover event TV fans didn’t see coming.”
Confirmed romance… then quietly over.
Coverage at the time described the pair as having “confirmed” their relationship with PDA [9]. By 2025, however, fans noticed Pedretti announcing her engagement to Ethan DeLorenzo, with fan accounts bluntly noting that “Fred Hechinger dating rumors die once and for all” .
To be clear: no one’s linking this to Thelma’s set—but for those who like to connect film promos and public romances, the timing definitely had fans raising eyebrows.
Awards-Season Fury: The Oscar Snub Heard Round Film Twitter
If Thelma has a true scandal, it’s this: the Academy completely ignored it.
A 98% Rotten Tomatoes score… and 0 nominations.
Rebellious Magazine pointed out that Thelma boasted a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating, higher than any feature actually nominated that year, yet it scored exactly zero Oscar nods . Fans and critics called the omission “baffling,” given that awards pundits had floated Squibb as a possible Best Actress contender.
Fans on social and Facebook groups were livid.
In film discussion groups, viewers repeatedly insisted that June Squibb “deserves an Oscar nomination” for her first lead role, calling the film “a delight from beginning to end” and saying she was “robbed” of major recognition .
Reddit’s awards obsessives had been hyping her for months.
Threads in r/oscarrace debated whether June Squibb could sneak into the Best Actress lineup; once the nominations dropped and she was nowhere to be found, those discussions turned into a mini postmortem on how smaller, quirkier films get steamrolled in awards campaigns .
No public rants from Squibb herself—she stayed classy—but fans absolutely treated it like an intergenerational crime against cinema.
Richard Roundtree’s Final Bow: Behind-the-Scenes Tributes
Thelma carries the emotional weight of being Richard Roundtree’s final feature film, and the cast and crew have repeatedly turned press tours into memorials.
He was “gungo-ho” about Scooby-Doo–style action.
Squibb described Roundtree as “gung-ho” and “wonderful” about the physical comedy and action sequences, despite his own age [1].
He made Squibb’s birthday a full event.
The roses, the wig, the scooter time—those stories have become a core part of every emotional retrospective on Roundtree’s career during Thelma’s promotion [1][8].
Promo reels leaned into the legacy.
Instagram promos for the film called Roundtree a “trailblazing actor” and emphasized that the movie features his final performance alongside Squibb’s first starring role—basically passing the baton between legends [9].
Not messy, but deeply bittersweet—exactly the tone of the movie itself.
**Deleted Scenes, Cut Bits & What Fans Wish Existed**
There’s no Snyder Cut–level chaos here, but a few tidbits have fueled fan speculation:
The mythical Roundtree musical moment.
In a Magnolia Pictures FYC post boosting Squibb’s performance, a fan joked they would “pay” to see a deleted scene of Roundtree singing “Tomorrow” from Annie . There’s no evidence it was ever actually shot, but the idea has stuck in fan discussions as a kind of missing holy grail.
Tightened final showdown.
Critics and fans have noted that the climactic face-off between Thelma and scammer Harvey feels clean and compact, leading some to speculate that more footage was trimmed in the edit [14]. No official deleted scene releases so far, though.
The mid-credits meta gag.
The one “extra” we do know about: a mid‑credits stinger where writer–director Josh Margolin reenacts a similar phone scam call with his real grandmother, blurring the line between film and reality . It’s not a cut scene, but it is a little hidden treat.
The Sundance Hustle: Quiet Acquisition Drama
Even without screaming headlines, Thelma had a mini-industry story simmering under the surface.
A modest Sundance sale that turned into a breakout.
Industry coverage and box office analysts report that Magnolia Pictures picked up Thelma out of Sundance for an estimated $2–3 million, on the low side for buzzed-about festival titles . Some observers initially saw it as a niche gamble.
Then it overperformed.
A year later, box-office watchers on Reddit were pointing to Thelma as a “rare Sundance breakout success,” noting that it significantly outgrossed typical indie acquisitions and built strong word-of-mouth for an elderly-led action comedy [16].
Not exactly a cutthroat bidding war scandal—but a quietly spicy “we told you so” to everyone who wrote it off as too small.
The Verdict: A Wholesome Set, a Furious Fandom, and a Tom Cruise Cameo in Spirit
If you came looking for shouting matches, rehab stints, and leaked set videos, Thelma is not that girl. What she does have:
- A beloved Blaxploitation legend surprising his co-star with roses and a wig.
- A 94-year-old woman terrifying insurers by gleefully throwing herself into stunts.
- A stealth blessing from Tom Cruise himself to borrow Mission: Impossible footage.
- A real grandma whose actual condo became a movie set, then lived to 105.
- A side helping of Fred Hechinger dating buzz and a full course of Oscars outrage.
In other words: less “tabloid trash fire,” more “wholesome chaos with occasional industry-level drama.” For a movie about a scam call gone wrong, Thelma’s real-world story is almost suspiciously pure—just scandalous enough to keep things fun, and just sweet enough to make you want to call your grandma.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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