A significant decline in visibility for mature women has been documented across film, television, and advertising:
“Aside from the impact on the box office, the increasing erasure of women in front of and behind the camera among the top theatrical releases should be concerning to all.” Newsroom | UCLA · 1 month ago
Critics and industry observers highlight a "mismatch" between the reality of aging and how it is portrayed on screen.
: Even when visible, stars like Demi Moore face conflicting narratives where "aging well" is often equated with resisting the visible signs of aging. Industry Perspectives
: A major study by the Geena Davis Institute found that out of 225 films featuring women over 40, only 6% mentioned menopause—often only as a joke.
“Looking back, we can see that recent gains have been largely cosmetic or tenuous. It's like the progress women experienced disappeared.” Newsroom | UCLA · 1 month ago
: Representation drops precipitously as female characters age. Research from the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film shows major female characters on broadcast TV drop from 42% in their 30s to just 15% in their 40s.
Research and reviews in 2026 indicate a in entertainment , following a brief period of historical highs in 2024. While audiences increasingly demand complex, realistic portrayals of midlife and aging, industry data shows a sharp decline in lead roles and creative opportunities for women over 40. Current State of Representation
A significant decline in visibility for mature women has been documented across film, television, and advertising:
“Aside from the impact on the box office, the increasing erasure of women in front of and behind the camera among the top theatrical releases should be concerning to all.” Newsroom | UCLA · 1 month ago
Critics and industry observers highlight a "mismatch" between the reality of aging and how it is portrayed on screen.
: Even when visible, stars like Demi Moore face conflicting narratives where "aging well" is often equated with resisting the visible signs of aging. Industry Perspectives
: A major study by the Geena Davis Institute found that out of 225 films featuring women over 40, only 6% mentioned menopause—often only as a joke.
“Looking back, we can see that recent gains have been largely cosmetic or tenuous. It's like the progress women experienced disappeared.” Newsroom | UCLA · 1 month ago
: Representation drops precipitously as female characters age. Research from the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film shows major female characters on broadcast TV drop from 42% in their 30s to just 15% in their 40s.
Research and reviews in 2026 indicate a in entertainment , following a brief period of historical highs in 2024. While audiences increasingly demand complex, realistic portrayals of midlife and aging, industry data shows a sharp decline in lead roles and creative opportunities for women over 40. Current State of Representation
