Halle Berry, 59, Fires Back at Age-Shaming for Her Crime 101 Role
Halle Berry has never shied away from speaking her mind, and her latest press tour for the heist thriller Crime 101 proves it once again. The Academy Award-winning actress is using the spotlight not just to promote her film, but to tackle an issue she’s passionate about: ageism in Hollywood, especially against women.
During interviews, Berry addressed the criticism her character faces in the movie as part of a bigger problem in the industry. “It’s about a society that wants to write women off after a certain age,” she told reporters. Berry emphasized that experience and maturity are undervalued, and the systemic push to sideline women over fifty is wrong.
The actress, who is turning sixty this year, said that she feels energized and confident in this phase of her life. “I feel like I’m just getting my second groove started,” she shared. She challenged the idea that aging means slowing down professionally, insisting that women do not lose their creativity or relevance as they grow older.
Berry explained that the wisdom and confidence she has gained over the years actually make her stronger as an actor. “The experience and knowledge you gain over time make you more valuable, not less,” she said. She views her current self as smarter, stronger, and more capable than ever before, a perspective she brings to her character Sharon Colvin in Crime 101.
In the film, Berry plays a shrewd insurance broker who joins forces with a jewel thief played by Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Bart Layton, the movie is a gritty, modern take on the classic heist thriller.
The ensemble cast also includes Mark Ruffalo and Barry Keoghan. Early reviews praise its tension-filled plot and clever twists, highlighting Berry’s commanding performance as a standout. Crime 101 hits theaters on February 13.
Halle Berry on her “Crime 101” character being age-shamed for being 53:
— Variety (@Variety) February 11, 2026
“As women, we have to reclaim the narrative that we’re not done at 50, 60, or 70. We have so much more to offer.” pic.twitter.com/hpOGoBeFH2
While Berry is promoting the film, she is also busy expanding her influence behind the camera. Through her production company, HalleHolly, she is developing several high-profile projects.
One of her upcoming roles is as President Joanna Duncan in Apple Original’s political thriller The President Is Missing, based on the novel by Bill Clinton and James Patterson. She is also preparing for Fleur, a drama film in Paris, where she plays a housewife reinventing herself as an upscale dominatrix.
Berry has long spoken out against Hollywood’s double standards when it comes to age. She notes that male actors often continue to receive high-profile roles well into their sixties and seventies, while women face a persistent bias.
“Women don’t need to apologize for aging,” she said. By continuing to take on bold, high-profile projects, Berry hopes to inspire other actresses to embrace their careers at any age.
Do you agree with Halle Berry that Hollywood’s age-shaming of women is unfair and that veteran actresses are delivering some of their best work later in their careers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
