Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Jan 27: Actor-turned-director Kristen Stewart has criticised Hollywood for the way it treats female actors, saying the film industry denies them agency and often reduces them to “puppets”.

In an interview with Variety, Stewart, who has made her directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, spoke candidly about the stark difference in how she was treated as an actor versus as a director. “Actresses get treated like shit. People think anyone could be an actress. But the first time I sat down to talk about my movie as a director, I realised they were finally talking to me like someone with a brain,” she said.

Reflecting on her years in the industry, Stewart said directors are often placed on a pedestal, while actors are sidelined. She argued that the notion of directors having “otherworldly abilities” is largely a myth perpetuated by men in power. “It’s worse for female actors than male ones. They get treated like puppets, but they are not,” she added, praising co-star Imogen Poots for giving her “whole body and soul” to the film.

Stewart, best known for leading the Twilight series, marked her transition to direction with The Chronology of Water, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 and received a standing ovation lasting over six minutes.

Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, the film explores a woman’s journey of transforming trauma into art. Stewart worked on the project for eight years. The film stars Imogen Poots, Jim Belushi and Thora Birch.