Halle Berry Responds to Age-Shaming in Upcoming Thriller Crime 101

Key Points

• Halle Berry addressed age-shaming tied to her role in Crime 101.
• The actor emphasized that women’s careers should not be seen as ending after 50, 60, or 70.
• Berry, turning 60 in 2026, said she feels creatively renewed and entering her “second groove.”
• She has consistently spoken against Hollywood’s age bias, calling aging natural and empowering.
• Crime 101, directed by Bart Layton, releases in theaters on February 13, 2026.

Berry Confronts Ageism in Hollywood

While promoting her upcoming thriller Crime 101, Halle Berry spoke candidly about the way age is treated in the entertainment industry. The Oscar-winning actor revealed that her character faces age-shaming in the film, a storyline she believes reflects broader industry pressures.

“It’s a message to whoever has ears and heart to absorb it. You know, it’s wrong,” Berry told Variety, stressing that women should not be dismissed once they reach a certain age.

Reclaiming the Narrative

Berry argued that women have much more to contribute well into later decades of their lives. “We’re not done at 50, 60, or 70. We have so much more to offer,” she said.

Approaching her 60th birthday, Berry described herself as feeling creatively energized: “I am 60 this year and I feel like I am just getting my second groove started. So, not done.”

Past Remarks on Aging

Berry has long rejected the stigma surrounding aging. In a previous interview with The Times, she questioned why society treats aging as shameful: “Why do we have to be ashamed of the most natural thing that happens to all of us? I’m not having the problem; society has the problem.”

She added that she feels more valuable now than ever: “Wiser, smarter, stronger, better.”

About Crime 101

Berry stars as Sharon Colvin, an insurance broker caught in a tense thriller written and directed by Bart Layton. The film is set for theatrical release on February 13, 2026, and marks Berry’s latest high-profile role as she continues to challenge Hollywood’s perceptions of women and age.

What Happens Next?

With Crime 101 hitting theaters this week, Berry’s remarks are likely to spark renewed conversation about ageism in Hollywood. Her performance and outspoken stance may further solidify her role as a trailblazer for women redefining longevity in the industry.