Geena Davis (70) Stuns at Venice Film Festival 35 Years After ‘Thelma & Louise’ Cemented Her Stardom

Red carpet season at the Venice Film Festival has a way of turning back the clock for some of Hollywood’s most enduring stars, with veteran actresses consistently proving that decades in the spotlight haven’t dulled their star power one bit. This year’s lineup has been no exception, drawing a steady stream of industry legends eager to support new projects on one of cinema’s most prestigious stages.

Among the films generating buzz at this year’s festival is Paul Schrader’s latest drama, a project that continues the director’s long-running interest in isolated, morally complicated protagonists. The film brings together a notable ensemble cast and marks another entry in Schrader’s decades-spanning exploration of characters wrestling with hidden transgressions.

That film is ‘The Basics of Philosophy,’ and its premiere brought out one of the biggest names of the night. Geena Davis, 70, turned heads on the red carpet at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, attending the screening at Sala Grande on Friday, September 4.

Davis commanded attention in a floor-length black gown covered in shimmering sequins, featuring a flattering square neckline and a thigh-high slit. She completed the look with an elegant diamond necklace and a statement bracelet, wearing her long brunette hair swept to one side in soft waves.

Davis’s appearance arrives more than four decades after her Hollywood breakthrough, and notably, 35 years after ‘Thelma & Louise’ cemented her place in cinema history. The Massachusetts-born star began her career as a model before making her film debut opposite Dustin Hoffman in 1982’s ‘Tootsie,’ launching a run of roles throughout the following decade that turned her into one of the industry’s most recognizable faces.

That run included 1986’s ‘The Fly,’ where she starred opposite Jeff Goldblum, whom she later married, along with her comedic turn as eccentric dog trainer Muriel in ‘The Accidental Tourist.’ Davis has continued working steadily since, and her advocacy work through the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has made her a prominent voice on representation issues within the entertainment industry.

Her presence at this year’s festival adds another chapter to that legacy, with the Oscar winner posing for photographers outside Sala Grande alongside the film’s principal cast.

‘The Basics of Philosophy’ screened out of competition at this year’s festival and stars Jack Huston, Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman, Dana Delany and Daniel Zovatto. The drama follows a philosophy professor forced to confront a long-buried transgression, continuing a thematic thread Schrader has explored since ‘Taxi Driver,’ centered on isolated, ruminative men wrestling with the masks their professions force them to wear.

The screening drew a notable cast turnout on the red carpet, with Sofia Boutella, Jack Huston, Dana Delany, Bill Pullman and Daniel Zovatto all appearing alongside director Schrader for photos ahead of the premiere. This year’s festival, running from September 2 through September 12, also awarded its prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn, with Luca Guadagnino receiving the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker award.

Davis’s Venice appearance joins a broader wave of high-profile red carpet moments this festival season, with fellow attendees including Maggie Gyllenhaal, who wore a dramatic black taffeta gown for a separate premiere earlier in the week. The steady stream of star power underscores just how significant Venice has remained as a launching pad for prestige film releases heading into awards season.

For longtime fans of Davis’s work, her Venice appearance offers a striking reminder of just how long she’s remained a fixture in the industry, decades after her earliest breakout roles first made her a household name. Whether ‘The Basics of Philosophy’ becomes another awards-season conversation piece remains to be seen as the festival continues through its second week.

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