Julianne Moore Says Women Must Support Each Other to Change Hollywood

Julianne Moore reflected on her career and the state of women’s representation in film during a Kering Women in Motion Talk at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.

The Oscar-winning actor, who is receiving this year’s Women in Motion Award, said the honor gave her a chance to look back on the work she has built over decades in the industry.

Moore addressed a recent study showing that women held only 37% of lead roles in 2025’s top-grossing films, down from 2024. She said the lack of representation goes beyond Hollywood and affects many industries, including business, media and higher education.

She said progress happens slowly through hiring more women, supporting alliances and using influence to create change. Moore also stressed that “women are each other’s greatest allies” and said female storytellers are essential in shaping authentic stories.

Discussing her approach to choosing roles, Moore said she has become less interested in violent or overly dramatic stories. She said she prefers projects with genuine emotional depth rather than “noise” created by explosions, murder or exaggerated stakes.

Moore also praised her former “The Hours” co-star Meryl Streep, calling her “the gold standard.” She said Streep inspired actors with her mix of humanity, precision, accessibility and glamour, and helped redefine what women in film could achieve.