Thelma & Louise

Thelma & Louise, directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri, sparked a remarkable public discussion about feminism, violence, and the representation of women in cinema on its release in 1991. Subject to media vilification for its apparent justification of armed robbery and manslaughter, it was a huge hit with audiences composed largely but not exclusively of women who cheered the fugitive central characters played by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis. In her study of the film, Marita Sturken examines Thelma & Louise's production and reception history, and goes on to analyze its rich account of gender politics, landscape, and gun culture. In her foreword to this new edition, Sturken considers the film's continuing impact and topicality in the age of #MeToo.