Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Feb 19, 2025
Table of Contents
Women Are Redefining Cinema– And the World is Taking Notice
Since the beginning of time, Hollywood’s narrative was largely led by the perceptions of males, with women limited to their work. However, times have changed– a seismic shift has taken place, and now women are at the core of this revolution. These trailblazing voices are much more than just proving their work in front of the camera but also behind the scenes, shaping the future of film. Whether through producing, directing, or starring in blockbuster franchises, women are resetting the rules of Hollywood, and the world is starting to notice.
With Greta Gerwig at the helm, ‘Barbie’ defied all expectations, breaking the billion-dollar barrier at the box office. But the film wasn’t just a commercial success; it struck a chord with audiences through its visionary, female-driven narrative that deeply resonated across generations. What many initially assumed would be a trip down memory lane from the ‘Barbie’ franchise of pink, sparkly elements turned into a global sensation. The success wasn’t just financial– it was the way it allowed women to see their worlds in a new perspective. The film deeply touched on themes of societal expectations, the complexities of simply being a woman, and identity, all while being entertaining and accessible to audiences of all backgrounds.
As much as the film centered on women, it also offered a deeply layered storyline. Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Barbie wouldn’t have been the same without Ryan Gosling’s candid and unexpected performance as Ken, creating a cast that was able to spark laughter, tears, and introspection. But it was Gerwig’s vision as director that gave the film its depth, delivering a much-needed commentary on gender roles while compelling the audience. It marked a moment of cinematic history, showing how women-led films could be both successful culturally and lucrative.
The success of ‘Barbie’ is just an example of a broader shift happening in Hollywood. While it’s clear that women are making strides in front of the camera, they’ve also stepped up to the creative direction behind it. From Greta Gerwig, Chloé Zhao, and Ava DuVernay, these women have made immense waves in recent years, bringing new perspectives to the forefront.
Greta Gerwig is conceivably the most well-known among these powerhouses, and for good reason. Her films, ‘Little Women‘ and ‘Lady Bird’ have gained major attention. ‘Lady Bird’ (2017) was an incredibly moving coming-of-age film that captured the intricacies of adolescence and motherhood, while ‘Little Women’ (2019) breathed fresh life into a classic novel with a new, up-to-date outlook. Her success has guided other female directors to step into the center stage.
Chloé Zhao, another trailblazing filmmaker, made history in 2021 when she won the Academy Award for Best Director for her film Nomadland, making her the first woman of color to win a prestigious award. Her film was an intimate, quiet exploration of life in America, focusing on the experiences of those who feel like an outcast in society. Zhao’s success was not just a personal win– it was a victory for independent cinema, storytellers who are unafraid to overcome raw subjects, and women of color.
And then there’s Ava DuVernay, who directed films like the Oscar-nominated documentary ’13th’ and Selma. She has used her platform as a way to address societal issues, such as systemic oppression, and continues to lead through pushing for more diverse storytelling in film. Her projects serve as both art and a call to action, showcasing that cinema can be a tool for change when used properly.
Now for all of you ‘Pitch Perfect’ (and maybe even ‘Twilight‘) fans out there— Anna Kendrick took a surprising leap, this time stepping behind the camera. While she was initially set to star in ‘Woman of the Hour’, Kendrick stepped into the director’s chair after Chloe Okuno, who was set to direct, withdrew from the project. Kendrick was drawn to the script and felt the courage to take on directing. The Netflix original tells the story of a serial killer who was part of the 1970s TV show ‘The Dating Game’. The film explores dark concepts of power, allure, and manipulation. Kendrick’s ambition to challenge herself beyond the traditional confines of an actress’ role is an evolution of women progressing in every aspect of filmmaking.
Representation matters. As simple as it seems, this lies at the heart of the current shift in cinema. Women-led films are breaking barriers and stereotypes by having women step into roles that are both complex and empowering. Take ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017) and ‘Hidden Figures’(2016) – two films that have both proven that audiences not only show up, but heavily support them when women take center stage.
‘Wonder Woman’ broke new ground in the superhero realm, showing that a female superhero could be just as action-packed as her male counterparts. On the other hand, ‘Hidden Figures’ tells the moving story of three African American women who helped NASA send a man into space, shattering typical roles of women, particularly women of color, and focused their skillful contributions to American history. Both empowered audiences by showing stories about women with cultural significance.
With the growth of recognition that diverse films are crucial to truly changing the world we live in, Hollywood has slowly been on the rise with embracing more inclusive storytelling. ‘The Farewell’ (2019) and ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018) showcase women from a diverse cultural background, inspiring younger generations to break barriers and keep their dreams alive.
What’s to Come: Hollywood Turns to the Women of Today
The changes happening in cinema are far from over. We are only at the very start of it all– women are breaking down barriers that were once closed to them. With every win, we’re not just seeing the success of individual women– we’re seeing the roads being paved for future filmmakers. And it’s not just about creating space for women; it has everything to do with giving them the chance to tell their stories. The question is no longer if women have the ability to lead Hollywood’s storytelling, but how far they can go with influencing the future.
Florence Pugh has become one of the most vocal advocates for challenging the unrealistic beauty standards that long obscured the industry. Pugh doesn’t shy away from her personal experiences with the intense pressures to conform to these standards, calling on society to move beyond superficial ideals of women.
At the same time, institutes like the Green Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the Sundance Institute’s Women at Sundance, and Women in Film are working as advocates to address these issues. Through funding, mentorship, and resources, these attempts are encouraging female filmmakers that women’s voices will continue to shape their future in more meaningful and inclusive ways.
By challenging norms, breaking barriers, and telling stories that are filled with emotion and complexity, women are reshaping what film can be. The changes women are making in Hollywood are more than just a fleeting moment– it’s reimagining the very fabric of the industry.
As viewers, we play the most important role in this new wave. By supporting women in cinema, celebrating inclusive storytelling, and championing diverse voices, we help keep the future of Hollywood a vibrant place to thrive. So continue doing what you love– show up to the movies, power up your TV, and turn on your streaming services. Supporting women-led films is the first step to keeping the momentum of this revolution alive and allowing these powerful stories to direct the future of cinema.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
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