Almost A Decade Ago, Sentimental Value’s Director Made One Of The Best Superhero Movies Of All Time

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Joachim Trier, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 2022 for The Worst Person in the World, has earned two nominations at the 2026 Oscars. He’s been recognized for both writing and directing his new film, Sentimental Value.

I’ve been reading a lot about Sentimental Value, and everyone keeps pointing out how the director really knows how to pull at your heartstrings – not with big speeches, but with quiet moments and beautiful visuals. He lets the actors do so much of the work, and that’s a hallmark of his films, honestly. Plus, he’s not afraid to throw in some really creative, almost dreamlike editing – it’s a little indulgent at times, but it totally earns it. It just adds to the overall emotional impact.

Following the success of his popular film The Worst Person in the World and a critically acclaimed premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Trier is now considered one of today’s most exciting directors. Despite this, his earlier work hasn’t received the attention it deserves, and many are surprised to learn he actually directed a superhero movie at one point.

Joachim Trier Made Thelma In 2017

In 2017, Joachim Trier temporarily stepped away from his Oslo trilogy to direct his only fantasy film so far, Thelma. The movie centers on Thelma, a college student who begins to uncover hidden abilities after strange events occur while she’s at school, prompting her to return home with many unanswered questions. Eili Harboe plays the lead role of Thelma.

Thelma grew up isolated, living with her parents far from town, and didn’t really have a social life until she went to college. Though her college experiences were mostly typical for a student, a few odd things happened that made her feel uneasy.

Despite being a remarkably original superhero film, Thelma didn’t receive much attention because it wasn’t widely released in theaters. Director Joachim Trier achieved widespread critical success four years later with The Worst Person in the World, considered one of the best comedies of the 2015-2024 period.

Thelma Explores Childhood Trauma

Whenever Thelma has a seizure and her powers unintentionally activate, birds fly into windows, but she only understands that her abilities are connected to the natural world. Following an intense examination of her brain activity after using her powers, Thelma begins to remember forgotten childhood experiences, revealing she’s possessed these abilities all her life.

Joachim Trier skillfully uses flashbacks to reveal Thelma’s difficult childhood, including a particularly shocking and upsetting event involving a young child’s death. The film follows Thelma as she comes to understand the religious trauma caused by her parents and ultimately chooses to live life on her own terms.

Thelma’s Queer Themes Explained

The film’s religious ideas work well with the main character’s personal journey. As Thelma begins to fall for a female classmate, her powers become unstable whenever she experiences romantic or sexual feelings. However, she gains control of her abilities when she embraces her true self and overcomes her inner shame.

Thelma’s hidden abilities emerge after a strange event, suggesting a strong connection to her identity. Once she breaks free from the restrictive beliefs she was raised with, she takes control of her life. This realistic depiction of the inner turmoil that often accompanies discovering one’s queerness is what makes Thelma a standout LGBTQ+ horror film.

Thelma Is Essentially A Coming-Of-Age Movie

Great superhero movies usually start by showing us how a hero gets their powers and learns to use them. While the new film Thelma also focuses on a character discovering her abilities, it’s different because the story ends with her pursuing a personal goal instead of becoming a traditional superhero who fights for the world.

Thelma is primarily a story about a woman’s journey to understand her past and build a future not limited by it, though the lessons of her childhood remain important. Returning home allows her to both confront and overcome her history, ultimately finding a path to healing.

Thelma’s Superpowers Are Metaphorical

It’s common for superheroes and comic book characters to have powers that represent real-world ideas and explore social issues through their stories. However, Thelma’s story is special because it directly uses metaphor to explore queerness – something rarely seen in superhero or fantasy genres.

What makes Thelma‘s story truly compelling isn’t what her powers are, but how she relates to them. Her abilities aren’t fixed; they develop as she grows, mirroring the changes she experiences. Like many coming-of-age stories, her superpowers represent transformation, helping her break free from limitations and ultimately rescue herself.

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2026-03-02 01:03