The common comparison that Thelma (2017) gets is that it’s an arthouse Carrie. And it is about a young woman, Thelma (Eili Harboe), who discovers she has psychic powers while being torn between her religious upbringing and sexual desires. However, Norwegian director Joachim Trier still carries through his past work in empathetic character-based dramas (like Reprise) to this genre territory. There is brooding synth music (by Ola Flottum) and eerie master shots that bring to mind John Carpenter, Stephen King adaptations and 1970s European giallo. But the overall approach is more muted and grounded, particularly in conveying Thelma’s isolated experience as a new college student away from home. Raised in a Christian household by parents (Henrik Rafaelsen and Ellen Dorrit) who seem nice and calm on the surface, but whose constant check ins and phone calls betray their obsessive, conservative control. The presence of a new friend Anja (Kaya Wilkins) starts to chip away at Thelma’s loneliness, and her growing same sex attraction is tied to epileptic seizures, strange occurrences and a growing realisation of power. For some horror or sci-fi fans, Thelma might seem muted and unsatisfying, but I really liked Thelma’s slow burn style, romantic longing, and eerie atmosphere. Harboe also delivers a great central performance. Streaming on SBS OnDemand. Recommended. (Shout out to Duc Dau who reviewed Thelma for VHS Tracking Issue 8).
VHS Tracking 