Kristen Stewart is no longer holding back — and this time, she’s speaking from a powerful new perspective. As she steps behind the camera for her directorial debut, the actor-turned-filmmaker is calling out what she describes as Hollywood’s long-standing and deeply flawed treatment of women on screen. According to Stewart, actresses are still denied creative agency in an industry built around male-dominated ideas of authority, control, and authorship.
In a candid conversation with Variety, Stewart opened up about the stark difference between her years in front of the camera and her recent experience as a director on The Chronology of Water. Reflecting on industry attitudes, she remarked, “Actresses get treated like shit. People think anyone could be an actress. But the first time I sat down to discuss my film as a director, I realized they were finally speaking to me like someone with a brain.” Her words underline a troubling hierarchy — one where directors are revered as visionaries while performers, particularly women, are often dismissed as replaceable.
Stewart didn’t stop there. She challenged the long-held myth of the all-powerful director, saying the notion of filmmakers having “otherworldly abilities” is a narrative largely created and sustained by men. “It’s worse for female actors than male ones,” she added. “They get treated like puppets — but they’re not.” She highlighted actress Imogen Poots, praising her dedication and emotional commitment to the film, stating that Poots poured her entire body and soul into the role.
Stewart’s bold remarks arrive as she embarks on a new creative chapter. The Chronology of Water, a project she spent nearly eight years developing, marks her official directorial debut. Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, the film tells the raw and intimate story of a woman transforming personal trauma into art — a journey of survival, self-discovery, and emotional resilience. The narrative’s intensity and vulnerability reflect Stewart’s desire to tell stories that challenge conventional cinematic power structures.
The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a six-minute standing ovation, signaling a triumphant arrival for Stewart as a filmmaker. Once globally recognized as the face of the Twilight franchise, Stewart has steadily built an acclaimed independent film career — and now, with this directorial leap, she is reshaping her place in Hollywood.
Starring Imogen Poots, alongside Jim Belushi and Thora Birch, The Chronology of Water represents both an artistic milestone and a statement of intent. Kristen Stewart isn’t just directing a film — she’s challenging an industry to change how it sees women, both on-screen and behind the lens.