Despite increasing visibility for some, the quality of representation remains a concern. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that only one in four films pass the , which requires at least one female character over 50 who is essential to the plot and not defined by ageist stereotypes. Common tropes still include:
: The share of female leads in top-grossing films dropped from a historic high of 55% in 2024 to just 39% in 2025. The "Ageless Test" and Narrative Stereotypes
: Stories that do feature older women often focus on them "reclaiming youth" through romance rather than existing as complex individuals in their own right. Beyond the Stereotypes: The Reality of Aging Women in Films mature art milfs
: A 2025 USC Annenberg study found that not a single top-100 film featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading role.
: Mature women are frequently relegated to being mothers or grandmothers, with their personal ambitions and sexual identities erased. Despite increasing visibility for some, the quality of
: In 2025, only 4 women over 45 played leads in Hollywood's top 100 films, compared to 31 men in the same age bracket.
On the surface, mature actresses appear to be flourishing. In early 2025, nearly half of acting Emmy awards went to performers over 50. High-profile wins for (60) and Demi Moore (62)—who won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination for The Substance —have been hailed as signs that talent has no expiration date. However, broader industry data tells a different story: The "Ageless Test" and Narrative Stereotypes : Stories
: Older women are often portrayed as physically frail, unattractive, or as "passive problems" burdened by disability.