Culture Cinema & Tv

Thelma: An interview with director Joachim Trier

Thelma: An interview with director Joachim Trier
Avatar photo
Avatar
Shot by Filippo L'Astorina
Sarah Bradbury Shot by Filippo L'Astorina

Thelma is the chilling-yet-moving supernatural thriller from Norwegian director Joachim Trier. Eili Harboe plays Thelma, a biology student who has started university in Oslo against the wishes of her strict Christian parents and is testing the boundaries of her new-found freedom. However, after meeting classmate Anja (musician Kaya Wilkins), Thelma’s attraction to her awakens an explained power within her, and a past she had buried begins to resurface. Striking an enthralling balance between a coming-of-age drama, complex-female character study and suspenseful horror, Trier’s vision is stunningly executed with the help of a committed and arresting performance from Harboe.

We had the honour of speaking with the director about what had inspired his film, how he had landed such perfect casting with Harboe and Wilkins, and why the primary Norwegian export that is the thriller genre.

Sarah Bradbury
Video: Filippo L’Astorina/Marta Starczynowska

Thelma is released in select cinemas on 3rd November 2017. Read our review here.

More in Cinema & Tv

Lollipop

Antonia Georgiou

Outrageous: On the red carpet with the cast at the London premiere

Ezelle Alblas

SXSW London 2025: The Life of Chuck

Selina Sondermann

Echo Valley

Antonia Georgiou

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

Mae Trumata

Tornado

Christina Yang

How to Train Your Dragon

Mae Trumata

The Life of Chuck: On the red carpet with Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mike Flanagan at SXSW London 2025

Ezelle Alblas

Juliet and Romeo

Antonia Georgiou