Thelma the Unicorn Movie Review: A reasonably effective, even if predictable pony tale

The new Netflix film, Thelma the Unicorn, is an animated film based on a children’s story of the same name by Aaron Blabey. And like most other children’s stories, it possesses layers of meaning that can resonate with adults as well. The film’s core message of overcoming adversity is timeless, but the narrative unfolds predictably. The story of a pony, who (Brittany Howard) gets bullied in a talent show and overcomes the obstacles to realise her dream of becoming a music hotshot, is your quintessential underdog tale. The setting, the nature of obstacles, and the support system of Thelma may all feel new, but the building blocks of the story and the character arcs feel familiar. There is the initial humiliation that the protagonist faces, followed by her unwavering spirit to overcome any and all challenges, the valuable lessons she learns, and of course, the big triumph. Thelma’s quest to realise her desire for musical recognition through a talent event called SparklePalooza results in the kind of uplifting stage-show end we have seen and experienced in many such films.

Director: Jared Hess

Voice cast: Brittany Howard, Will Forte, Jemaine Clement, Jon Heder, Zach Galifianakis

Streamer: Netflix