June Squibb Could Do 'Mission: Impossible' but Tom Cruise Couldn’t Do 'Thelma'

By Sara Clements | Film | June 22, 2024 |

By Sara Clements | Film | June 22, 2024 |

According to recent statistics, the number of people falling prey to scams is increasing day by day, with seniors being the most vulnerable group. The FBI has reported that individuals aged 60 and above lost a whopping $3.1 billion in 2022 alone, and the situation is expected to worsen. This trend is also reflected in movies such as The Beekeeper, where the protagonist, played by Jason Statham, takes revenge against a criminal call center that scammed his friend, Eloise (Phylicia Rashad). Similarly, in Josh Margolin’s film Thelma, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, the titular protagonist takes matters into her own hands to fight against scammers. Despite lacking Statham’s action-hero skills, Thelma (June Squibb) laces up her orthopedic sneakers and kicks her mobility scooter into high gear.

Thelma’s visits with her grandson, Daniel (Fred Hechinger), are the few moments of fun she gets away from the mundanity of senior life, especially if they watch Mission: Impossible. Unbeknownst to the grandmother, knowledge of action thrillers and their stunts will come in handy. One day, she receives a phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson. The caller informs her that he is in jail and needs $10,000 to be bailed out. Unbeknownst to Thelma, this is a common phone scam where scammers impersonate a loved one to trick their victims into sending them money. When Thelma finds out it was all a scam, she’s embarrassed, of course. When scams like this happen, especially to the most vulnerable people, there aren’t measures in place to protect them.

Thelma’s family, particularly Daniel’s parents, Gail (Parker Posey) and Alan (Clark Gregg), advise her to simply forget about the whole incident. However, ten thousand dollars is a lot of money to just let go. Glancing down at the newspaper on her table, she spots a photo of Tom Cruise on the front page along with the words, “He’s still got it.” That gives Thelma the push she needs to lace up her orthopedic sneakers, put in her Bluetooth hearing aids, and take on the scammers. With her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree in his final role) and his trusty red mobility scooter in tow, they race off like Ethan Hunt on his motorcycle to retrieve her stolen cash.

At the age of 94, June Squibb is a delight to watch as she plays out scenes like she’s in Mission: Impossible. The film is aided by a good action score that complements Squibb’s performance. While the action scenes in Thelma are not as intense as those in the Mission: Impossible franchise, they help the film stay realistic. There is a scooter chase sequence around a senior’s home and another scene where Squibb’s character has to sneak through a shop as if it’s full of tripwires. She even has to roll across a bed to reach a gun on top of a dresser, which is as entertaining as watching Tom Cruise run across buildings.

It’s also enjoyable to see Squibb’s character throw her family off her scent while she’s on her mission. The film also features the essential “race against the clock” tension, albeit with a twist. Instead of a bomb that needs to be defused, Thelma is racing against a computer. The film plays on the struggles that seniors face with technology to create much-needed suspense.

The film also creates a sweet dynamic between Thelma and her grandson, Daniel. It’s interesting to note the similarities between how both Daniel and Thelma are treated by Gail and Alan. Newly widowed, Thelma is finding her independence for the first time in years. Similarly, as a young adult, Daniel is trying to find his own independence. However, Gail and Alan are still treating both of them like children, trying to control their every move. This makes the film a tale of rebellion for both Thelma and Daniel, as they try to break free of control.

“I didn’t expect to get so old,” Thelma says. The thought of old age brings forth feelings of sadness, fear, and dread. It’s disheartening to see Thelma being treated as if she should just be an invalid for the rest of her life. However, Squibb’s portrayal is inspiring, as she exhibits a great deal of spunk, proving that old age can still be an exciting time. Getting older doesn’t mean that life has to stop.