Naomi Watts, celebrated for her roles in The Ring, 21 Grams, and King Kong, is using her platform to spotlight a subject rarely addressed in cinema: menopause. At 57, the British actress believes Hollywood has overlooked one of life’s most universal experiences for women, and she is determined to change that narrative.
Breaking the Silence
Reflecting on her youth, Watts recalls how menopause was portrayed only as a punchline—hot flashes and mood swings played for laughs. “We need to see ourselves represented,” she told USA TODAY. “Talking about menopause and showing our stories in movies can help women feel less alone. It’s about taking the shame and stigma away.” Her own journey began in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with perimenopause while trying to start a family. After miscarriages and eventually welcoming two children, Watts faced symptoms she didn’t initially recognize. For years, she kept her struggles private, fearing it might end her career.
Leading the Conversation
Watts eventually became one of the first celebrities to openly share her menopause experiences. Others followed—Drew Barrymore spoke about hot flashes on her talk show, while Halle Berry advocated for more research funding in Washington. In 2022, Watts co-founded Stripes, a wellness brand focused on menopause, and in 2025 she published Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I Knew About Menopause.
“I don’t want to be told it’s time to stop,” Watts said. “I have plenty more to say and do.”
Hollywood’s Missing Plotline
Despite progress in public conversations, menopause remains nearly invisible on screen. A study by the Geena Davis Institute found that of 225 films featuring women over 40 between 2009 and 2024, only 6% mentioned menopause. Most used it as a comedic device rather than a serious storyline.
Watts points to rare examples, such as Sex and the City 2 and moments in Fleabag, but insists more authentic portrayals are needed. Her recent legal drama All’s Fair, featuring a cast of actors over 40 including Glenn Close and Sarah Paulson, offered glimpses of midlife realities but she believes Hollywood must go further.
A Shift in Representation
Encouragingly, new projects are emerging. Apple TV+’s Your Friends and Neighbors will explore perimenopause in its upcoming season, while BBC’s Riot Women—about menopausal women forming a punk band—is being hailed as groundbreaking. Watts also celebrated Oscar nominations for older actresses like Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres, proof that audiences are ready for diverse stories.
“When I look at the women around me, whether they are actors or teachers or doctors, in their midlife they are doing incredible things,” Watts said. “Their stories should be reflected. It shouldn’t just be young women on the screen.”
Looking Ahead
Watts continues to choose projects that reflect her values, including The Friend and season two of All’s Fair. For her, the mission is clear: to ensure menopause and midlife are portrayed as times of strength, not decline.
