THE 94-YEAR-OLD ACTION STAR PUTTING TOM CRUISE TO SHAME: WHY ‘THELMA’ IS THE MUST-WATCH HIT OF THE YEAR
Forget Tom Cruise—the toughest action hero on Netflix right now is a 94-year-old grandmother who refused to pay a ransom. 👵💥
Critics are calling Thelma the most unexpected “action gem” of the year, boasting a staggering 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences are losing their minds over one specific detail: the legendary June Squibb performed her own stunts. When phone scammers target her for $10,000, they think they’ve found an easy mark. They couldn’t have been more wrong.
What starts as a hilarious comedy quickly explodes into a high-stakes, Mission: Impossible-style adventure that will have you cheering at your screen. From high-speed scooter chases to breaking into high-security facilities, this nonagenarian isn’t just looking for justice—she’s looking for blood. But the heartbreaking, true-life story behind the movie—inspired by the director’s own grandmother—is the reason why this film is currently holding the internet captive.
Is this the greatest redemption arc in cinema history?
See why viewers are saying this 94-year-old star is putting every young Hollywood action star to shame 👇
In an industry obsessed with CGI-heavy blockbusters and 30-something stars performing gravity-defying stunts on green screens, a low-budget, heart-pounding action gem has just arrived on Netflix to teach Hollywood a masterclass in grit, timing, and genuine heart.
Meet Thelma (2024), the film that has defied every expectation of the modern box office. With a near-perfect 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, this genre-bending adventure has captured the global zeitgeist, not just for its hilarious premise, but for the history-making, powerhouse performance of its 94-year-old leading lady, June Squibb.
While audiences are busy comparing the film’s tense, high-stakes set pieces to Mission: Impossible, industry analysts are calling it something far more rare: a legitimate, character-driven action thriller that prioritizes human stakes over explosive set pieces.
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| THELMA (2024): THE DOSSIER |
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| Star | June Squibb (Age 94) |
| Genre | Action/Adventure/Comedy |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 98% (Certified Fresh) |
| Real-Life Hook | Inspired by the director’s actual grandmother |
| Cultural Impact | Challenges ageism in action cinema |
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The Phone Scam That Started a War
The plot of Thelma reads like a dark-comedy classic that takes a sharp, adrenaline-fueled left turn. Thelma Post (Squibb) is a 93-year-old widow living a quiet, independent life in Los Angeles. Her world is turned upside down when a telephone scammer posing as her grandson convinces her that he has been arrested and needs $10,000 immediately for bail.
Thelma falls for the trap—sending the cash through the mail—but when the realization of the fraud sets in, she doesn’t call the police. She doesn’t wallow in pity. She decides to hunt the scammers down.
What follows is an unconventional “revenge thriller” that takes viewers across the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles. Joined by an old acquaintance (the late, legendary Richard Roundtree in his final screen role), Thelma embarks on a dangerous quest involving high-speed mobility scooters, breaking-and-entering operations, and a relentless pursuit of the criminals who dared to underestimate her.
‘She’s a Real-Life John Wick’: Internet Erupts Over Squibb’s Guts
Social media has been set ablaze by the film’s release. Across X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit’s r/movies community, viewers are pointing out the irony that June Squibb, a nonagenarian, has delivered more genuine suspense in a 90-minute runtime than many billion-dollar superhero franchises have in a decade.
“I thought I was walking into a sweet grandmother movie,” one viral Reddit post reads. “By the 30-minute mark, I was watching a legit heist thriller. June Squibb is an absolute legend—she does her own stunts, she has better comedic timing than 99% of Hollywood, and I was genuinely worried for her life during the finale. Mission: Impossible has competition.”
On TikTok, the “Grandma Thelma” hashtag has surged, with younger audiences posting reactions to the film’s surprisingly intense action sequences. Many viewers are highlighting that the film succeeds because it treats its protagonist with dignity; Thelma isn’t a caricature or a joke. She is a woman of agency, intelligence, and lethal determination, and her struggle against the digital-age criminals resonates deeply in an era of constant phone fraud and cyber-crime.
A Labor of Love: The Director’s Real-Life Muse
Behind the high-octane hijinks lies a deeply personal story. Director Josh Margolin penned the script based on his own grandmother, who was targeted by a similar phone scam.
“The film is born out of a very real fear and frustration,” Margolin noted in recent interviews. “My grandmother was targeted, and it made us realize how vulnerable older people are, but also how capable they still are. I wanted to see her as the hero, not the victim.”
This intimacy bleeds into every frame of the movie. While other films might exploit the aging process for cheap laughs, Thelma uses it to build tension. Every stairwell Thelma climbs, every door she has to pry open, and every confrontation feels earned and dangerous. The audience is constantly rooting for her, not out of pity, but out of genuine admiration for her tactical resolve.
A Career-Defining Masterpiece for June Squibb
For June Squibb, an industry veteran who has spent decades as a “reliable supporting player,” Thelma marks her first lead role at the age of 94—a fact that is currently dominating the awards-season discourse.
Critics are already predicting a robust campaign for her, noting that she handles the action scenes with a physicality that is nothing short of miraculous. She brings a grounded, unwavering stoicism to Thelma that elevates the film from a standard “action-comedy” into something resembling a modern-day fable about autonomy and resilience.
Her chemistry with the late Richard Roundtree is another highlight. Roundtree, forever the icon of Shaft, brings a sophisticated, deadpan energy to the film, acting as the perfect foil to Thelma’s frenetic, mission-oriented focus. Their scenes together are being hailed as some of the most charming and authentically funny moments in recent cinema.
The Verdict: Why You Need to Stream It Now
In a streaming landscape that often feels saturated with recycled franchises and uninspired content, Thelma is a breath of fresh air. It is a taut, hilarious, and surprisingly suspenseful adventure that reminds us that heroism isn’t defined by youth, strength, or CGI explosions—it’s defined by will.
If you are looking for a high-stakes thriller that will keep you guessing and put a smile on your face, this 98%-rated gem is the top contender for your watchlist this weekend. Just be warned: after watching June Squibb in action, you might never look at your grandmother—or a phone scam call—the same way again.
