: Research suggests the emergence of the male-dominated studio system in the 1920s led to a significant drop in opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera.
For much of cinema history, the entertainment industry has been criticized for a "narrative of decline" regarding women. Traditionally, female actors' careers were observed to peak in their 30s, while their male counterparts often saw their peak 15 years later.
: Older women are four times more likely than men to be portrayed as "senile" or "frumpy".
Despite recent progress, data from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media reveals that ageism remains a systemic issue:
: Trailblazers like Bette Davis famously challenged these norms, with All About Eve serving as both a cinematic masterpiece and a real-life commentary on the industry's desire to replace aging stars with younger talent.