Portraying women

In 2023, only three women over 45 had leading roles in the top 100 Hollywood films, which was an all-time low. In 2024, we saw a turnaround with an increase in interesting leading roles for older women and more openness about ageing. There are more films exploring the dimensions of femininity and ageing, and thanks to #MeToo; women are more adept at expressing desires and setting boundaries. Female characters don’t have to be a choice between a supporting role or being a strong role model. It can be more feminist and liberating to show the complexity of relationships, careers, female sexuality, and life in general. Society often views women through a male perspective, and older women are strangely considered brave for showing their bodies. How can we collectively challenge and move beyond this ingrained gaze?

This shift in attention and visibility sparked conversations about what growing older is ‘supposed’ to look like and how these perceptions are changing. The successes of ageing actors in leading roles are beginning to push back against industry standards and the long-held idea of a ‘shelf life’ for male but especially female performers.

From drama to body horror, modern portrayals of age in media cover a wide range. Audiences are challenged to reconcile these portrayals with the growing popularity of Botox, cosmetic surgeries and weight-loss drugs. While there has been a push for body acceptance, Ozempic seems to counter what was achieved. This highlights cultural uncertainty and longing for youth, health and being slim, changing what ageing, body acceptance, and diversity mean today and how it’s viewed.

Technology plays a complex role in this landscape. AI-powered de-ageing techniques allow actors to appear decades younger on screen, blurring the line between nostalgia and authenticity. While these tools enable fresh storytelling opportunities, they also risk marginalizing older performers by perpetuating youth-centric ideals.

The reality of women often remains underexplored. Hollywood tends to glorify a polished version of age and womanhood, leaving little room for stories that reflect the full spectrum of experiences. Whether the industry can embrace a healthier and more balanced portrayal that includes both strength and vulnerability remains an open question. The worlds of women from diverse racial, cultural, and gender identities, including Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian, gay, and trans women, are still very much underrepresented. These stories need to be told to reflect the richness of human experience and challenge the narrow definitions of womanhood that continue to dominate.

The evolution may lead to a broader cultural redefinition of storytelling that celebrates a wider range of experiences and appearances and impact social change. If the industry can embrace these shifts, future generations may inherit media landscapes where the whole spectrum of sexuality, growing older and female perspectives are celebrated instead of denied. By bridging the gap between authenticity and artistry, the future of how women’s lives are portrayed in media can inspire a genuine celebration of life’s many stages and angles.

The following films and productions were on OvN’s radar and embraced different perspectives of womenhood.

71-year-old actress/director/model/farmer Isabella Rossellini

The Substance

The Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley body horror movie The Substance was hard to miss when it was released. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded aerobics show star who is fired on her 50th birthday. Coping with the ageing image of herself, she finds the contact of a secretive laboratory that allows her a substance to transform herself into an enhanced, younger version of herself. The movie follows her failure to upkeep the rules of the substance in hopes of extending her youthful experience. The movie is a cautionary tale about the dangers of internalising societal pressures and learning to accept oneself.

Here

This sentimental and meaningful film Here by Robert Zemeckis stars Robin Wright and Tom Hanks at a younger and older age. It uses de-ageing technology by Metaphysic, a visual effects company, to create real-time face-swapping and ageing effects. The film showcases the lifespan of a house and the generation of people who have inhabited it for over a century. It has a non-linear narrative, showcasing the story of one location in a single frame.

Shirley

The Netflix movie Shirley tells the story of the inspiring journey of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress and a 1972 presidential candidate. Regina King plays Chisholm, capturing her determination and resilience. The film blends historical significance with a deeply human story, offering an empowering narrative about breaking barriers and critiques traditional gender roles. The film is about how women are seen and judged by men and other women.

Babygirl

"Babygirl" is a 2024 erotic thriller directed by Halina Reijn. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy Mathis, a high-powered CEO in New York City who embarks on a forbidden romance with her significantly younger intern, Samuel, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. This relationship challenges Romy's personal and professional boundaries, delving into themes of power dynamics and sexual exploration. Halina Reijn, director of Babygirl, embraces the Botox look of Kidman’s character Romy as an attempt at “self-optimisation”. The film has a layer of self-awareness, from Romy to Kidman’s real-life persona, despite Kidman crediting her lack of ageing to sleep and sunscreen. Through the movie, Halina Reijn wants to show what a woman’s agency looks like in the world of patriarchal expectations.

The Room Next Door

The Room Next Door, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, centers on two women, played by Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, a war correspondent diagnosed with terminal cancer. The film delves into themes of mortality, friendship and autonomy from a female perspective and the complexities of human relationships. It challenges traditional narratives by focusing on the intimate and complex relationship between two women, highlighting their autonomy and depth beyond conventional stereotypes.