: Nicole Kidman (57) led this psychosexual thriller as a high-powered CEO, a role that notably rejected judgmental tropes about older women's sexuality.

Several notable films have recently challenged the traditional "invisibility" of women over 40:

: Renée Zellweger (56) returned to the franchise to depict Bridget navigating single motherhood and dating in her 50s. The Data Gap: Progress vs. Statistics

: Starring Demi Moore (62), this visceral body horror explores the psychological toll of agelessness and became a critical and commercial hit.

Despite individual success stories, researchers highlight a persistent "steep drop-off" in roles once actresses reach their 40s: Top Female Lead Film Performances of 2025 - IMDb