Cannes, France – April 22, 2026 – Thirty-five years after its premiere, Ridley Scott’s iconic film Thelma & Louise takes center stage as its heroines, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, are featured on the official poster for the 79th Festival de Cannes. The festival celebrates the enduring legacy of the film, which continues to resonate with themes of freedom, friendship, and female emancipation.
The chosen image, a black-and-white still captured by Roland Neveu on the set of the 1991 film, depicts Louise (Susan Sarandon) locking eyes with the viewer, while Thelma (Geena Davis) scans the horizon from behind her sunglasses, a revolver tucked into her jeans. Both are seated proudly in a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible, embodying the spirit of their journey through a deserted America.
Released on May 20, 1991, Thelma & Louise challenged societal and cinematic gender stereotypes, presenting a groundbreaking narrative of two women forging their own path. The film, written by Callie Khouri (an Oscar and Golden Globe winner in 1992) and produced by Mimi Polk Gitlin, redefined the road movie genre, traditionally a male-dominated space, with a powerful female perspective.
Upon its release in the United States, the film sparked considerable debate and controversy but achieved undeniable success. It quickly became a generational classic and a cult favorite, marking a significant milestone in the representation of women in cinema. The phenomenal performances by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, reminiscent of the Redford-Newman pairing in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, cemented their characters as iconic figures.
The Festival de Cannes highlights that the themes explored in Thelma & Louise – the struggle for freedom and the right to be oneself – remain powerfully relevant today. The decision to feature the film’s protagonists on the official poster serves as a celebration of progress made, while also acknowledging the ongoing journey towards full emancipation.
Ridley Scott, who won the Jury Prize for Best Debut Film at Cannes in 1977 for The Duellists, continued to push cinematic boundaries with Thelma & Louise, further solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers.
The official poster is now available for pre-order on the official store’s website. ► Order the poster!
By Cem Kaplan