That script has flipped. In recent years, we have witnessed a renaissance of stories that center on the specific, unglamorous, and deeply resonant experiences of aging women.

However, the momentum is undeniable. With the rise of streaming services that cater to niche demographics and the increasing power of older female producers (Fonda, Witherspoon, and Kidman), the pipeline for authentic stories is stronger than ever.

Cinema is finally learning what life has always known: A woman is not a flower that wilts. She is a tree that keeps growing rings. And those rings tell the best stories.