Thelma

In the midst of a seemingly mundane life in Los Angeles, 93-year-old Thelma Post navigates the complexities of loneliness and dependency. Her well-intentioned but ultimately suffocating grandson Danny (character name not specified) frequently visits and tends to her needs, yet Thelma finds his constant assistance both condescending and stifling.

A clever phone scammer seizes the opportunity, posing as Danny and convincing Thelma that he's been arrested. Unbeknownst to her, the scammer instructs her to transfer $10,000 to a local address, which she promptly complies with. The subsequent panic involving her daughter Gail (character name not specified) and son-in-law Alan (character name not specified) culminates in Thelma's shocking discovery: Danny is safe, and she has been the victim of a brazen scam.

Refusing to let the scammers get away with her hard-earned money and desperate for resolution, Thelma takes matters into her own hands. She sets out on a determined journey to reclaim her stolen funds, despite her family's pleas and the authorities' indifference.

As Thelma embarks on this odyssey of self-reliance, she finds herself at odds with the harsh realities of aging. Her attempts to enlist the help of old friends prove futile, as most have long since passed away or relocated. With a heavy heart, she reluctantly turns to Ben (character name not specified), an old acquaintance living in assisted care whom she had been neglecting since her husband's passing. Together, they navigate the treacherous landscape of Mona's neighborhood on Ben's prized 2-person scooter.

Meanwhile, Danny, Gail, and Alan are frantically searching for Thelma, but their efforts are in vain. As Danny vents his frustrations to his parents about his recent breakup and lack of direction, he confesses his fear of being stuck in a life without purpose.

Thelma's journey takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself lost in a seedy neighborhood with Ben, who is growing increasingly frustrated with her stubborn refusal to accept help. Their heated argument culminates in the destruction of Ben's scooter at the hands of a reckless driver, prompting him to abandon Thelma. Undeterred, Thelma presses on alone, only to suffer a debilitating fall that leaves her helpless.

As hope begins to fade, Ben returns to assist her, and the two reconcile amidst the wreckage of their failed attempt to retrieve Thelma's stolen funds.

As they arrive at the UPS store, Thelma and Ben are met with an unexpected twist: a dilapidated antique shop instead of the expected package delivery. Their curiosity piqued, they follow the young man who collects Thelma's money from a PO box, leading them to the cluttered establishment. With Ben eavesdropping through their connected phones, Thelma discreetly sneaks inside and stumbles upon the owner, elderly Harvey, and his grandson Michael - the same individual they had been tracking - operating a scam operation in the backroom. Unfazed by the discovery, Thelma demands her money back, but Harvey refuses, prompting him to lament about the struggles of running his failing store and resorting to deceitful means to stay financially afloat.

Ben, meanwhile, continues to monitor the situation through their phones, while Thelma feigns ignorance, apologizing for any inconvenience she may have caused. As she takes her seat, she suddenly produces Mona's gun, taking control of the situation as Harvey's grandson Michael attempts to make a hasty exit. Ben seizes the opportunity to subdue Michael, rendering him unconscious as he rushes outside. Thelma then commandeers Harvey's computer, with Ben holding their captive at gunpoint, trying to navigate the complex banking system.

In a moment of desperation, Thelma places a call to Danny, seeking his guidance in transferring the funds while he drives to rescue them. As they work together to complete the transaction, Michael regains consciousness and re-enters the store, only to be rebuffed by Harvey's condescending remarks about him. Seemingly moved by this display, Thelma decides to leave Harvey a significant portion of the transferred sum ($500 out of $10,000) as a token of her disdain for his exploitative tactics.

With Ben still holding Harvey at gunpoint, Thelma delivers a stern rebuke, highlighting the harm caused by Harvey's actions and the need for appreciation towards those who assist him. With their mission accomplished, Thelma and Ben exit the store triumphantly, awaiting Danny's arrival to collect them.

As Thelma reunites with her family - whom she begins to appreciate and cherish more deeply - they watch Ben perform in a play at the local nursing home, marking a significant shift in their perspectives. No longer viewing him as "soft," Thelma looks forward to rekindling their relationship in the near future.

Later, while visiting her husband's gravesite with Danny, Thelma reassures her grandson that he will be capable of navigating life when she is eventually gone. The film concludes with a poignant parallel between the fictional and real-life Thelmans, as they both sit in a car, mirroring the same scene from the movie.