Can repressed desire manifest as a destructive, uncontrollable supernatural force in the real world?
In short: In the 2017 thriller Thelma, a sheltered young woman discovers her intense, hidden feelings for a female classmate trigger terrifying psychokinetic abilities. As she struggles to suppress her identity, her subconscious power begins to reshape reality, forcing her to confront a dark family legacy and the true cost of liberation.
Directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with Eskil Vogt, Thelma follows a student from an ultra-religious Norwegian family who moves to Oslo, only to experience unexplained seizures. These episodes are revealed to be manifestations of a latent, inherited psychokinetic power. When Thelma feels desire for a fellow student named Anja, her inability to reconcile these feelings with her upbringing causes her to unconsciously make Anja vanish into thin air.
The film explores the intersection of sexuality and repression through a supernatural lens. As Thelma uncovers her past, she learns that her grandmother possessed the same ability and was institutionalized by her father, Trond. The narrative reveals that Thelma’s power is tied to her deepest, often suppressed wants; she previously caused her younger brother to teleport and eventually disappear, and she inadvertently left her mother paraplegic after a traumatic incident. The story functions as both a psychological thriller and a coming-of-age liberation narrative.
Critics have praised the film for its measured tone and visual elegance, often comparing its atmosphere to classics like Carrie. While the film utilizes genre tropes, it subverts them by focusing on the protagonist's internal struggle rather than mere horror. Ultimately, Thelma moves toward a resolution of compassion and self-acceptance. By learning to control her gift rather than fearing it, she manages to restore her mother’s ability to walk and brings Anja back into existence, embracing her identity as she returns to university.
Produced with a budget of approximately 5 million euros, the film was a significant international collaboration, involving production companies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and France. It received critical acclaim, holding a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was selected as Norway’s entry for the 90th Academy Awards. It remains a notable entry in 2017's slate of LGBTQ cinema, lauded for its visceral portrayal of loneliness and the persuasive power of the female body.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Thelma (2017 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-thelma-2017-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
