Thelma

Young Thelma (Eili Harboe) grew up in a strict religious home in the country. She moves to Oslo for her studies, where a whole new world is revealed to her. Although she can't completely escape her parents' constant phone calls, it's here that Thelma first experiences something like freedom, lightheartedness and happiness - a feeling that intensifies when she meets Anja (Kaya Wilkins) and falls in love for the first time. But the feeling of happiness is not long-lasting, because more and more often Thelma is afflicted by violent seizures that even specialists can not explain. But the young woman suspects what the seizures are all about - because Thelma has very special abilities that have long been suppressed. Abilities with which she has loaded a heavy debt on itself and which now break out again uncontrollably. And this time they could be Anja's undoing.

With Thelma, Joachim Trier has directed a very atmospheric mystery drama that has some very gripping moments to offer, especially on a visual level. Thematically Trier uses very obviously Stephen King's Carrie. Here too, the awakening of one's sexuality is linked to the rise of supernatural powers. And the attempt to suppress these forces through religiosity is also common to both works. However, Trier approaches the subject matter in a much more restrained and subtle way than King in his horror classic. The parallels are nevertheless unmistakable.

The big difference is found in the episodes that have these supernatural abilities. What Trier and his co-writer Eskil Vogt have come up with here is highly original and, in one sequence, extremely disturbing. This scene, however, is necessary to fully understand the behavior of Thelma's parents. Their dilemma is the most interesting aspect of the story because every viewer will inevitably ask themselves the question: How would I act? It is also intriguing to think about the guilt the parents have brought upon themselves, or to what extent Thelma can be held responsible for what has happened in her past, as well as in the present.

Thelma thus not only offers enormous suspense in a very unexciting, quiet way, but also aspects to think about for a long time. And so, despite many similarities to other works such as Carrie, this film can be considered a real enrichment for the mystery genre. Absolutely worth seeing for all who appreciate subtle thrills!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp