Thelma (2017)

Thelma is a slow-burning, atmospheric blend of drama, fantasy and psychological horror about a sheltered, devout young woman whose first tastes of freedom and desire trigger terrifying, uncontrollable powers. After leaving her conservative family to study in Oslo, Thelma forms a fragile friendship — then a romantic, awakening bond — with fellow student Anja. As Thelma wrestles with forbidden feelings and a mysterious past, repressed emotions manifest as psychokinetic episodes that escalate from subtle disturbances to devastating, reality-bending events. Watching Thelma is less about jump scares and more about mood: expect haunting visuals, a simmering tension, and a melancholic, eerie soundscape that underline themes of faith, sexuality, memory and identity. The film offers an intimate character study wrapped in supernatural horror, delivering both emotional restraint and sudden, shocking violence as the truth of Thelma’s powers and upbringing is revealed. Viewer note: the film contains seizure-like scenes, disturbing imagery and mature themes.

Actors: Eili Harboe, Kaya Wilkins, Henrik Rafaelsen

Director: Joachim Trier

Runtime: 116 min

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror

6.6 /10 74 /100 6.9 /10 7.0 /10