Feisty gran gets it back

QUEST: THINK OF HIT COMEDY 'THELMA' AS TOM CRUISE ON A MOBILITY SCOOTER

- Citizen reporter

In the action comedy Thelma, Oscar nominee June Squibb plays a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer.

Accompanied by an ageing friend (Shaft trailblazer Richard Roundtree in his final performance) and his motorised scooter, she sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her.

With a 98% rating, Thelma was Rotten Tomatoes' fifth best-reviewed comedy movie of 2024. The Australian calls it “Mission: Impossible on mobility scooters, with a soundtrack to match... Full of humour, and not a little sadness.”

Thelma earned its 95-year-old star the best actress in an action movie award at the 2025 Critics Choice Super Awards, among other accolades.

This was the first leading film role of her 70-year career, which includes a supporting actress Oscar nomination for Nebraska. Writer Josh Margolin, who makes his feature film directorial debut with Thelma, was inspired by a real-life experience.