. However, as of 2026, there is a visible shift toward more diverse and authentic portrayals of women over 40 and 50, driven by shifting demographics and high-profile advocacy. International Journal of Ageing and Later Life (IJAL) Representation Challenges and Disparities
For generations, older women were treated as asexual or as the subjects of comedic discomfort when expressing desire. Recent cinema directly challenges this puritanical view. Films like Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (starring Emma Thompson) and Babygirl (starring Nicole Kidman) offer honest, empathetic, and explicit examinations of female pleasure, bodily autonomy, and vulnerability in later life. These films normalize the reality that intimacy and self-discovery do not terminate with age. 2. Unapologetic Ambition and Power