Review: Thelma (2017) – A Haunting Descent into Desire and Power

From the moment Thelma opens, you know you’re not watching an ordinary coming-of-age film. Directed with chilling precision by Joachim Trier, and carried by a quietly intense performance from Eili Harboe, the film is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling — blending psychological horror, supernatural elements, and emotional repression into one unforgettable package.

The trailer alone lures you in with its icy visuals and eerie stillness. You see Thelma — a shy, sheltered college student — navigating her first steps into adulthood in Oslo. But when she meets Anja (Kaya Wilkins), and an unexpected romance begins to blossom, something inside her begins to stir… something dangerous.

As her attraction deepens, so do her seizures — terrifying episodes that trigger increasingly unexplainable phenomena. The trailer cleverly hints at Thelma’s powers without revealing too much, building dread with flickering lights, birds falling from the sky, and a drowning scene that leaves you breathless.

Ellen Dorrit Petersen, as Thelma’s deeply religious mother, radiates quiet menace. There’s a palpable fear in every whispered phone call and lingering stare — like she knows what Thelma is becoming, and what she might be capable of.

What makes Thelma stand out isn’t just the supernatural angle — it’s the emotional core. It’s about shame, identity, and the terrifying realization that love, when repressed, can turn violent. The trailer balances horror with heart, and leaves you questioning: is Thelma a victim, or something much more powerful?

Trailer Verdict: Hypnotic, unsettling, and emotionally charged. 9/10