Data from the Geena Davis Institute reveals that women over 50 are heavily underrepresented, making up only of characters in their age group on screen. Furthermore, older women are four times more likely to be depicted as frail or senile compared to men, with only 1 in 4 films passing the "Ageless Test" for authentic portrayal. A lack of women behind the camera also correlates with fewer, less nuanced roles for older women. Shifts and Successes

: Women 50+ make up only 25.3% of characters in that age bracket, a serious inequality given that they comprise a large portion of the actual population [1, 4].

Perhaps the most radical change is the visual representation of aging. There is a growing movement toward "authentic aging" on screen.

The representation of mature women in entertainment and cinema has historically been a site of significant erasure, yet it is currently undergoing a complex evolution. While the industry has long favored youth as a primary currency for female actors, a "new visibility" of older women is emerging—though it remains fraught with persistent stereotypes and systemic barriers ResearchGate The Disparity of the "Silver Screen"