Kristen Stewart Says Actresses Are “Treated Like ****” Until They’re Taken Seriously

Kristen Stewart has spent decades in front of the lens, but her transition behind it has brought about a stark realization regarding the hierarchy of respect in Hollywood.

In a candid discussion with The Times of London, the Oscar-nominated star revealed that stepping into the role of director for her debut feature, The Chronology of Water, fundamentally altered how she is perceived by her peers and industry executives.

Actresses get treated like s***, I’ve got to tell you, Stewart told the publication while reflecting on the shift in professional dynamics. She noted a distinct change in the caliber of conversations she now navigates, explaining that the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I thought, wow, this is a different experience, they are talking to me like I’m somebody with a brain.

The Chronology of Water serves as an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir, a raw and poetic account of a woman reconciling with a history of trauma through the discipline of competitive swimming and the power of language. The film stars Imogen Poots as Lidia, alongside a cast that includes Thora Birch, Jim Belushi, and Tom Sturridge. After a celebrated world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the project moved into a wide theatrical release on January 9.

Throughout the press cycle for the film, Stewart has been vocal about the gendered myths that surround the title of director. There’s this idea that directors have otherworldly abilities, which is not true, she argued, suggesting that this aura is often a construct used to gatekeep authority. It’s an idea perpetuated by men, she added, before clarifying that it’s worse for female actors than male ones — they get treated like puppets, but they are not.

The director was quick to praise her leading lady, Poots, for the emotional labor required to bring Yuknavitch’s story to life. Stewart emphasized that Imogen put her whole body and soul into this movie, highlighting the vulnerability required for the performance. This perspective aligns with her recent comments to the New York Times, where she criticized the way male actors are often aggrandized for retaining self in their craft while women are denied the same level of artistic reverence.

Stewart’s analysis of the industry comes at a busy time for the performer, who recently tied the knot with her wife, Dylan Meyer, in early 2025. Following a year she described as the most “carbonated” of her life, she is looking toward a slate of diverse upcoming projects.

While she plans to take a brief hiatus to recharge her creative energy, Stewart has already expressed an interest in returning to the director’s chair soon. She even recently teased an openness to directing a remake of the Twilight franchise, the series that first catapulted her to global superstardom. For now, however, her focus remains on the successful rollout of The Chronology of Water as it reaches a global audience.

The actress-turned-director appears determined to use her new platform to dismantle the magic trick of acting that makes it seem impossible for others to achieve. As she noted in her profile, if male actors can protrude out of the vulnerability and feel like a gorilla pounding their chest before they cry on camera, it’s a little less embarrassing. By challenging these established on-set behaviors, Stewart is carving out a space for a more grounded and equitable approach to filmmaking.

What are your thoughts on Kristen Stewart’s transition from actress to director and her recent comments regarding the industry in the comments?