Kristen Stewart reveals she started directing because ‘actresses get treated like s**t’

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Kristen Stewart revealed why she’s decided to work behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Kristen Stewart, 35, recently directed her first film, The Chronology of Water, and explained that she was motivated, in part, by the way actresses are often treated in Hollywood.

She told The Sunday Times in a recent interview that actresses are often subjected to awful treatment.

Kristen Stewart noted that while many assume acting is easy, she felt a distinct shift in how people treated her when discussing her work as a director. She realized they were acknowledging her intelligence and creative input in a way she hadn’t experienced before.

Stewart also mentioned wanting to create films internationally and share them with American audiences, even if it meant being a bit forceful about it. She then explained that the belief that directors possess some kind of special, almost supernatural talent isn’t accurate, and she believes this idea is mainly promoted by men.

It’s not that I’m always complaining, but things are harder for actresses than actors. They’re often controlled like puppets, despite being talented individuals.

I was sharing a story recently about meeting one of my favorite actors, and it really highlighted something I’ve noticed throughout my career. It showed me how differently men and women navigate the acting world – the experiences and expectations are just so different. It was a really eye-opening moment!

She explained that she doesn’t believe in ‘female Method actors’ because she sees Method acting as a showy technique that pretends acting is more difficult than it actually is.

I see acting as simply make-believe – there’s no need for physical exertion before a scene. However, when I pointed out a difference in how male and female actors are perceived, he became defensive and claimed he’d never encountered a female actor who wasn’t unstable.

Stewart explained that a few years ago, a comment like that would have instantly made her furious. She used to get visibly angry, exactly the reaction the person making the comment was hoping for. She described getting red in the face and feeling overheated.

I simply finished my idea. She continued, saying that getting older is wonderful because it brings peace of mind.

Kristen Stewart became well-known at age 12 after appearing in the 2002 thriller Panic Room with Jodie Foster, directed by David Fincher.

At just 18 years old, she became internationally famous for her role as Bella Swan in the hugely popular Twilight movies, starring alongside Robert Pattinson.

In 2022, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Princess Diana in the film Spencer.

Stewart is now directing a film called The Chronology of Water, which is based on the 2011 memoir by American author Lidia Yuknavitch.

The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and has been widely praised by critics for its honest portrayal of challenging subjects like childhood trauma and addiction.

The story centers on Lidia, portrayed by Imogen Poots, a woman who finds success as a competitive swimmer after escaping a difficult and abusive childhood.

Stewart explained that she likely wouldn’t have made the film if she were a man. She feels women are expected to suppress their physical experiences daily, and that important, even beautiful aspects of being a woman – like childbirth – are often kept private because they’re considered uncomfortable or unpleasant to talk about.

Historically, women’s voices and experiences have been excluded from mainstream narratives. I wanted to address a world that actively tries to silence women. It often feels like we have to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo just to be heard, and that understandably creates conflict.

The drama’s already impressive cast is completed by the addition of Jim Belushi, Tom Sturridge, Thora Birch, and Kim Gordon from the band Sonic Youth.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m still reeling! Stewart showed the movie at Cannes in May, and it was INSANE! Everyone loved it – seriously, the critics went wild, and they gave it a standing ovation! I wish I’d been there to witness it, but just knowing it happened is enough for now!

Variety praised the film as a moving story of overcoming hardship, beautifully and passionately told. Indiewire’s David Ehrlich noted that every moment of the movie is filled with the powerful energy of a true artist.

In a recent interview, Kristen Stewart expressed her wish to film movies internationally and then bring them back to the US, particularly given the shifts she’s observed in Hollywood since Donald Trump’s presidency.

Back in 2012, before he became a politician, the now 79-year-old businessman – who has been married three times – publicly criticized the actress on X (formerly Twitter) during a personal scandal involving her. This followed a public disagreement between the two.

Kristen leveled criticism at Trump and admitted she could not see herself remaining in America.

Despite her move to Europe, she still wants to create films that American audiences will see. She explained, ‘I don’t want to stop making films altogether. I’d like to produce them in Europe and then release them to American viewers.’

The actor, known for their role in ‘Spencer,’ criticized Trump but also expressed optimism about the possibility of positive change. They stated that while Trump has fundamentally altered reality, people should learn from his approach and actively work to build the kind of future they desire.

In 2012, Donald Trump publicly criticized Kristen Stewart, repeatedly tweeting about her personal relationships, including her boyfriend at the time, Robert Pattinson, over a period of a month.

The outburst happened after it became public that Stewart had an affair with Rupert Sanders, the director of Snow White and the Huntsman. Sanders was married, and Stewart was dating her Twilight co-star, Robert Pattinson, at the time.

Donald Trump posted on X, expressing his strong opinion that Robert Pattinson shouldn’t reconcile with his ex-girlfriend. He claimed she was unfaithful and predicted she would repeat the behavior, suggesting Pattinson deserves someone better.

Kristen Stewart has publicly discussed her sexuality, playfully identifying as ‘so gay’ during a Saturday Night Live appearance. Last April, she married her wife, Dylan Meyer, in a private ceremony at the Mexican restaurant Casita Del Campo, following six years together.

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2026-01-26 03:49