The industry has realized that the audience for mature stories is both massive and underserved. High-profile actresses are no longer just performers; they are the engines behind the content.
Women were often defined solely by their relationship to younger protagonists.
Historically, mature women in film were victims of limited archetypes. Once a leading lady aged out of "ingenue" roles, she often vanished or was cast in one-dimensional supporting parts.
Older women were frequently portrayed as jealous of youth.
Seeing older women navigate romance, ambition, and self-discovery validates the experiences of a large demographic of the population.