Recent studies highlight that when mature women are on screen, they are often confined to specific, limited archetypes:
: Representation for women of color over 45 is particularly scarce. In 2025, researchers found that not a single top-100 film featured a woman of color in this age bracket as a lead or co-lead. Narrative Trends and Stereotypes
: In 2025, the number of top-grossing films featuring female leads fell to 39%, a significant drop from 55% the previous year, returning to levels last seen in 2018.
Despite high-profile wins for mature actresses, the broader landscape for women over 40 remains volatile:
: Female characters see a steep decline in visibility as they age. In recent television seasons, women made up 46% of characters in their 30s but only 15% in their 40s, while male characters often see their representation increase as they move into their 40s.
: Mature women are frequently portrayed through a "narrative of decline," often depicted as passive, senile, or physically frail. They are four times more likely to be portrayed as senile than their male counterparts.
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