Yahoo Movies The White Lotus star's new movie debuts with 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating
Thelma, starring White Lotus star Fred Hechinger, has debuted with a 100% fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating.
The film, which is currently premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, also stars 94-year-old Academy Award nominee June Squibb.
Squibb plays the titular role of Thelma, an elderly woman who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson.
Related: White Lotus star Fred Hechinger replaces Barry Keoghan in Gladiator 2
Thelma then sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her and prove to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson that she's more than capable of taking care of business.
Hechinger plays the role of Thelma's grandson Danny, while Parker Posey and Clark Gregg play his parents. The cast is rounded out by Malcolm McDowell and the late Richard Roundtree.
Thelma was written and directed by Josh Margolin, who was inspired by his own experiences with his centenarian grandmother.
Following its premiere, critics have praised the film for its humour and ability to tackle the issue of ageing, plus the performance of Squibb, who takes the lead for the first time in her decades-long career.
Below Digital Spy rounds up some of the top critical reactions to Thelma.
"Holding out until the age of 94 for her first lead role, June Squibb proves what her legion of devoted fans has always known: she’s a superstar."
"The film reflects on issues of aging and autonomy with a mostly light touch, its protagonist making a strong case for the enduring spirit of elderly folks too often infantilized by both society and their loved ones."
"In the end, it’s not a high-concept 'Stop or My Meemaw Will Shoot' so much as a warm hug, one that anybody with an elderly relative can appreciate on some level."
"When Josh Margolin’s debut keeps its sights trained on its rogue granny on a mission (June Squibb), its hilarious geriatric reframe of action-movie tropes has a game champion."
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