In the early days of cinema, women were often typecast into specific roles based on their age and appearance. Mature women were frequently relegated to supporting roles or portrayed as maternal figures, often in stereotypical or marginalized ways. The industry's emphasis on youth and beauty meant that women's careers often peaked in their 20s and 30s, with fewer opportunities available as they aged.

The film industry has also seen a rise in movies focusing on the lives of mature women, such as:

Furthermore, the "acceptable" mature woman is often still required to be physically fit, conventionally attractive, and wealthy. We have plenty of stories about rich older women having crises in Cape Cod. We need more stories about working-class women, disabled women, and trans women aging in a society that forgets they exist.