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Sci-fi thriller

Thelma (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Thelma (2017) movie poster

Thelma is a 2017 sci-fi thriller directed by Joachim Trier, starring Eili Harboe as Thelma, Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Henrik Rafaelsen. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide on a $47.5 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics' Choice 2018. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$1.5M
award nomination
1
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Thelma (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Joachim Trier
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Norwegian
Budget
$47.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Thelma About?

The premise of Thelma without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A shy Norwegian student, Thelma, experiences a startling discovery when she begins to manifest extraordinary and dangerous powers. Drawn to the enigmatic Anja, she grapples with a forbidden love while confronting deeply buried secrets from her past. As her abilities intensify, Thelma must face the life-threatening nature of her powers and the personal turmoil they unleash.

Thelma Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • underwater scene
  • first lesbian experience
  • lesbian attraction
  • university
  • female protagonist
  • supernatural power
  • female masturbation
  • flashback
  • christian family
  • teenage sexuality
  • religious guilt
  • cigarette smoking
+38 more
  • nudity
  • female nudity
  • lesbian
  • lake
  • telekinesis
  • praying
  • loneliness
  • masturbation
  • frozen lake
  • snake
  • class
  • medical scanner
  • boat
  • motorboat
  • bird
  • man on fire
  • drinking alcohol
  • disappearance
  • suicide attempt
  • biology student
  • healing power
  • lesbian love
  • psychokinesis
  • death of father
  • hunting
  • epilepsy
  • dream sequence
  • nightmare
  • swimming pool
  • faith
  • christian doctrine
  • vomiting
  • baby
  • flickering light
  • baby brother
  • seizure
  • forename as title
  • snow
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Cast & crew

Thelma Cast & Characters

Eili Harboe leads the cast as Thelma, with Ellen Dorrit Petersen as Unni and Henrik Rafaelsen as Trond. Directed by Joachim Trier; 18 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Joachim Trier

More films directed by Joachim Trier, best-rated first: Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World, Oslo, August 31st and Reprise.

Full filmography
Ratings

Thelma Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Thelma 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

Thelma Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall presentation, Thelma delivers a contemplative and visually engaging experience tempered by moments of narrative ambiguity. Critics highlighted its moody atmosphere and confident direction, while some noted a flat tone and unresolved subplots that hinder full immersion. User sentiments echoed this blend of admiration for its emotional resonance and frustration over loose ends. Ultimately, Thelma stands as an intriguing but imperfect thriller.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, Thelma presents striking cinematography and assured direction that establish a distinctive mood. Scenes employ understated color palettes and precise editing rhythms, supporting its supernatural themes. While some critics found the tone occasionally flat and one user noted excessive sentimentality in musical swells, the film’s visual cohesion remains a principal strength.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Thelma offers nuanced performances that convey both restraint and intensity. Lead portrayals evoke genuine empathy, with undercurrents of desire and fear resonating through key scenes. Some observers felt the emotional distance limited deeper attachments, but most viewers responded to the depiction of internal conflict and relational tension. Overall, the character work anchors the film’s impact.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, Thelma unfolds at a measured pace that builds suspense around its supernatural premise. Critics praised its originality in blending psychological drama with genre elements, although several pointed to loose ends and occasional reliance on familiar thriller tropes. User feedback similarly noted unresolved subplots and moments of predictability. Nonetheless, the narrative maintains enough intrigue to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    When it comes to sensory experience, Thelma excels in crafting an immersive soundscape and cohesive visual style. Subtle sound design, ambient score cues, and chilly atmospherics contribute to its unsettling tone. Some viewers found musical swells overly sentimental, but most agreed that the interplay of visuals and audio effectively deepens the film’s emotional resonance. The sensory approach feels deliberately calibrated for suspense.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    In terms of rewatch factor, Thelma offers layers of allegorical detail and atmospheric nuance that may reward repeat viewings. While the film’s deliberate pacing and ambiguous resolution may challenge some viewers on subsequent watches, others will appreciate discovering new thematic connections. Overall, its blend of mood and mystery provides moderate replay value for genre enthusiasts.

Plot

Thelma Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Thelma from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with Thelma Post (June Squibb), a spirited 93-year-old widow who navigates the complexities of modern technology, with her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) passionately trying to educate her on the intricacies of the internet. Despite their loving bond, Thelma often feels that Danny dotes on her excessively, arguing that he needs to embrace more responsibility for his own life as he contemplates his future.

Full summary

The whole story of Thelma, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Thelma Box Office & Budget

Thelma grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a $47.5 million budget. $147,391 came from the US and Canada and $1.3 million (90%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

US & Canada
$147.4K
International
$1.3M
Budget
$47.5M
US & Canada 10% Rest of the world 90%
Awards

Thelma Awards & Nominations

Thelma earned 1 award nomination, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics' Choice 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Thelma Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser, 4 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Official US Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official HD Trailer
  • Teaser
  • Clip "Brother"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Thelma?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Thelma's grandson Danny try to teach her at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in Thelma

2 cars on screen: the 2014 Volvo XC70 and the 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero.

  • 2014 Volvo XC70 in Thelma 2014 Volvo XC70 Important role
  • 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero in Thelma 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Background role
Details

Thelma Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “La maldicion de Thelma” and “델마”.

Also known as
  • La maldicion de Thelma
  • 델마
  • Thelma - Coming of age
  • Тельма
  • Телма
  • 西尔玛
  • Відьма
  • תלמה
  • 魔女席瑪
  • 北國凶靈
  • Telma
  • テルマ

Seen Thelma?

FAQ

Thelma FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Thelma, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Thelma?

Thelma runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Thelma released?

Thelma was released on November 10, 2017.

Who directed Thelma?

Thelma was directed by Joachim Trier.

More films by Joachim Trier

Who is in the cast of Thelma?

Thelma stars Eili Harboe as Thelma, Ellen Dorrit Petersen as Unni and Henrik Rafaelsen as Trond, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Thelma make at the box office?

Thelma grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($147,391 domestic, $1.3 million international) on a budget of $47.5 million.

How is Thelma rated?

Thelma has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Was Thelma nominated for any awards?

Thelma received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Thelma have a post-credit scene?

No. Thelma has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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