Kristen Stewart has spoken candidly about the stark difference in how she’s treated in Hollywood as an actress versus a director, saying the shift was instant when she stepped behind the camera.
While discussing her directorial debut, Chronology of waterin an interview with The Times of LondonStewart said that the experience of being taken seriously changed the moment she was no longer seen only as an actress.
“Actresses are treated like crap, I’ll tell you that,” Stewart said.
“People think anyone could be an actress, but the first time I sat down to talk about my film as a director, I thought, wow, this is a different experience, they talk to me like I’m someone with a brain.”
Stewart explained that the industry often places directors on an unrealistic pedestal, a mindset she believes has long been shaped by male dominance in filmmaking.
Pushing back at the idea that directing requires some unattainable genius, she said the belief has hurt how actors, especially women, are perceived.
She added: “There’s this idea that directors have otherworldly abilities, which isn’t true. It’s an idea perpetuated by men. Not to sound like I’m complaining all the time, but it’s worse for female actors than male actors, they’re treated like puppets, but they’re not. Imogen [Poots] put her whole body and soul into this film.”
Stewart rose to global fame leading Twilight franchise before carving out a respected career in independent and arthouse films including Seberg, Underwater, Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding.
Her transition to directing followed Chronology of waterwhich premiered at Cannes in 2025 and later opened in theaters on January 9.
The film stars Imogen Poots as Lidia, a woman who confronts past trauma through competitive swimming and writing.
This is not the first time Stewart has addressed the gender imbalance in the film industry.
In a recent interview with New York Timesshe pointed out how male actors are often praised for showing emotional range while maintaining a sense of dominance, something she says women can rarely afford.
She described how male artists are often celebrated for asserting control before showing vulnerability on screen, which can make their work appear more impressive or rare than it really is.
Through her latest comments, Stewart continues to highlight how deep-seated attitudes shape the way creative work is valued in Hollywood, and why stepping into the director’s chair changed not only her role, but also how people listened to her.
