Cinema is increasingly exploring themes specific to later life stages without making them "tragedies" of aging.

In the past, mature women were often portrayed as either villainous, manipulative, or dependent on younger men. These stereotypes were perpetuated in films like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Calendar Girl (1993). However, with the rise of female-led films and the increasing demand for more authentic storytelling, the landscape has changed.

have been praised by critics at The Guardian for honestly depicting the sexual agency of older women.

We are far from finished. The double standard still exists, and there are still far fewer roles for women of color in this demographic than there should be. But the trajectory is undeniable. The "invisible woman" is stepping back into the light. She is funny, sexy, dangerous, dramatic, and commanding.

In scripted television, the landscape is even richer. Consider the phenomenon of The White Lotus . Jennifer Coolidge’s portrayal of Tanya McQuoid was a masterclass in tragicomedy. She was a woman of a certain age who was deeply flawed, fragile, manipulative, and sympathetic all at once. She wasn't a moral compass or a wise mentor; she was the protagonist of her own chaotic story. Her Emmy win was a cultural reset, signaling that an older woman doesn't have to be "dignified" to be watchable; she just has to be human.