Thelma (2017)

Thelma (2017)

7/10

Starring

Eili Harboe

Kaya Wilkins

Directed by Joachim Trier

A fantasy-horror film that glides smoothly on the waves of excellent production while delivering an intense, thrilling ride that will keep you glued to your seat, waiting to see how it all ends.
Nothing in this movie goes as planned, and that’s what makes it so magnificent. Despite receiving plenty of positive reviews, it was surprisingly dropped from the Academy Awards’ list of Best Foreign Film. One thing I would like to add is, there are many movies like this, foreign films which never get seen, as we are more focused on the release from Hollywood. The only time movies like this get to have a light in the sun, is when a studio buys the rights for a remake.

The plot follows Thelma, an only child raised by a wheelchair-bound mother and a devoted father. Thelma has just started university and is experiencing a bit of culture shock, having come from a deeply religious and reserved family.
Things might have stayed uneventful, and Thelma might have coasted through school unnoticed, but that changes when she meets Anja, another student. Thelma develops feelings for Anja, and whenever Anja is around, Thelma loses control—her body becomes jittery, and she feels overwhelmingly uncomfortable.

This becomes a problem as Thelma starts having seizures, often triggered by Anja’s presence. To make matters worse, Thelma begins experiencing strange dreams or daydreams, where she sees things that aren’t there or experiences events too bizarre to be real.

During a hospital visit to diagnose her seizures, Thelma starts recalling her childhood. She remembers having a brother and the tragic events that surrounded him.
Thelma begins to suspect that her seizures are more than just medical episodes, as strange things happen to those around her when they occur.

Fearful of her father’s religious convictions, Thelma hides her feelings for Anja. However, one day, she calls home to say she’s returning and drops out of school after making a shocking discovery.

The fantasy elements of the movie are clear, but the horror aspects aren’t strong enough to classify it as a full-blown horror flick, especially when compared to Hollywood’s horror offerings.
That said, the suspense is masterfully crafted. The pacing, the delayed reveals, and the unexpected twists leave you stunned as you piece together where the story is headed.

This Norwegian film delivers a compelling experience, and I’ll stand by the claim that it’s a fun watch—as long as you’re okay with reading subtitles if you don’t speak Norwegian.