: Her 2024 performance in The Substance earned widespread acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination, signaling a shift in how the industry handles aging bodies and horror.
: When older women do appear, they are four times more likely than men to be portrayed as "senile" or "feeble".
The movement toward better representation is fueled by women taking control of the production process:
Despite these breakthroughs, data reveals that progress is uneven:
: Television has become a powerhouse for mature talent, with shows like Hacks and The White Lotus centering on women who are "smart, sexy, and industrious". Persistent Systemic Challenges
: In a study of top-grossing 2019 films, zero women over 50 were cast in leading roles, whereas men over 50 were consistently featured.
