A 2025 Geena Davis Institute study found that only 6% of films featuring women over 40 even mention menopause, and usually only as a comedic punchline.
Women aged 60 and older are the most underrepresented, accounting for just 2–3% of major female characters in broadcast and streaming television. Gendered Aging: milfty 21 02 28 melanie hicks payback for stepm upd
are no longer a niche category or a charity case. They are the critical darlings, the streaming giants, and the box office insurance policies. Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar, Jean Smart’s Emmy, and the enduring legacy of Helen Mirren’s The Queen have irrevocably changed the conversation. A 2025 Geena Davis Institute study found that