Tragedy or not, I think we can all agree the villain in this story is men. This is a beautiful film of female friendship, yet it is also politically aware and brings attention to the corruption and traps in the justice system that persist in society today. Watching Thelma and Louise for the first time, around 35 years after its release, while knowing that our society has barely changed and women continue to be set up for failure in almost every aspect of life, is quite disappointing.  That is the tragedy.

On the other hand, the actual story is not tragic in the sense that it breaks social norms and presents an alternative to the action movies starring men, which was exactly the filmmakers’ goal. Both main characters in this film face different yet similar personal struggles, and they share a common villain. Most of all, they form a bond so deep that not even a police firing squad could break it. 

While we sadly don’t get to see Thelma and Louise make it to Mexico, everything in the film leading to the end shows the beauty of them experiencing real joy in their lives. Without the decisions they made to stay together, their lives would have ended just as tragically if they hadn’t “kept going,” trapped in a loveless marriage and disconnected from those around them. Their situation was tragic, yes, but they had no other choice. As Thelma said, at least this way they got to have fun. So, really, how tragic can their freedom from the patriarchy be? 

This film blends lighthearted comedy with real issues women face, making it a timeless classic that still applies to life today. Overall, I found this to be a very meaningful and empowering film, despite the truth and tragedy also at play.