Recent years have seen a surge in acclaimed performances by mature actresses, often referred to as a "ripple" that is becoming a "wave".
Actresses over 40 and 50 have recently dominated major categories. Notable examples include Frances McDormand (Nomadland), Youn Yuh-jung (Minari), Jean Smart (Hacks), and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).
In the top 50 films of the last decade, male characters aged 50+ outnumbered females by a ratio of 4 to 1. The "Silver Wave" of Change
Platforms like Netflix and HBO Max have championed series centered on mature women, such as Grace and Frankie (starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) and Hacks .
Many actresses are now vocal advocates for changing the narrative around aging: Older Women and Cinema: Audiences, Stories, and Stars
For decades, Hollywood has faced criticism for a "double standard of aging" where men's careers peak much later than women's.
The 2024 film The Substance , starring Demi Moore , was noted by critics at the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum for its visceral commentary on the industry's obsession with female youth. Key Figures and Advocates
Older women have frequently been relegated to secondary roles as mothers, grandmothers, or "crone" figures.