October 11th 2024.
Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth have been making headlines lately as the new "it" couple on the big screen with their undeniable chemistry and on-screen age gap romance. This new type of romance is taking Hollywood by storm, and it's all about putting older women in the driver's seat.
Their latest film, "Lonely Planet," is Netflix's newest romantic comedy written and directed by Susannah Grant. In the film, Dern, who is 57 years old, plays a novelist on a writer's retreat trying to find herself. As her character withdraws from the other writers, she finds herself spending time with another misfit on the retreat, the boyfriend of one of the other writers. Things quickly heat up between them, adding Dern to the list of big-name actresses who have taken on younger male love interests in recent hit films.
It's safe to say that this has truly been the summer of love, with some of our favorite leading ladies reclaiming their power on screen. This year alone, we've seen 41-year-old Anne Hathaway caught up in a hot and heavy romance with a dashing young twenty-something pop star, and 57-year-old Nicole Kidman tussling and tumbling with 21-year-old Zac Efron. And it seems like this trend is here to stay, as even more A-list films with similar themes have been announced to be in the works.
For example, 40-year-old Olivia Wilde is set to star in "I Want Your Sex" alongside 21-year-old Cooper Hoffman, while 34-year-old Julia Fox will take the lead in the LGBTQ+ romantic drama "Perfect" opposite slightly younger Ashley Moore. And let's not forget that Kidman is once again swept off her feet on screen, this time starring opposite 28-year-old Harris Dickinson in the steamy erotica "Babygirl."
Of course, all of this is happening on screen, but each story has a real-life feel to it and could easily be mistaken for the latest age-gap celebrity romance headline. It's reminiscent of "Stella" in 1998, where Kidman's character also finds her groove back with a younger love interest. This type of love story is nothing new to film, but the tables have turned in 2024, with women now taking the lead.
Typically, we're used to seeing age gap romances with an older man and a younger love interest, which, in real life, is usually deemed more socially acceptable. However, the dynamic has now changed, and Hollywood's new obsession hasn't gone unnoticed. Fans have taken to social media to share their reactions, with some predicting that 2024 will be known as the "year of the cougar."
But according to industry experts, this reversal of the age gap trope was inevitable and reflects how much our views have changed as a society. Relationship expert Tina Wilson notes that people now prioritize forming genuine connections over age differences, and society is more accepting of different kinds of relationships. This new dynamic challenges traditional gender roles, where men were historically seen as providers and women as nurturers.
Lovehoney's sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight describes this new age gap romance as "catnip for Millennials and Gen-Z," who embrace the progressiveness of these stories. She notes that these romances come from a position of female strength, rather than young male lust, and allow women to be desired and in control. It's a visual confirmation that women can still have it all and have incredible sex even as they age.
But is this new dynamic just fulfilling a fantasy for viewers? Knight suggests that age gap relationships are a complicated issue that explores themes of forbidden love, societal pressures, and personal growth. They resonate strongly with audiences, and the sizzling chemistry between the characters makes viewers imagine themselves in the shoes of the leading ladies.
Adam Brannon, founder, and editor of Movie Metropolis, agrees and says that it's less about the fantasy of the younger man and more about the fantasy of the older woman who is free from societal expectations and able to explore her desires and find love or passion on her terms. He highlights how women now have greater financial independence, social autonomy, and visibility in various industries, making these stories relatable to audiences.
Brannon also notes that Hollywood's traditional treatment of older women has been unkind, but the tide has finally changed. In an industry where roles for older women were scarce, there's now a whole new subgenre of rom-coms welcoming them with open arms.
And it's been long overdue. So what are your thoughts on Hollywood's new take on the age gap romance? Do you think it reflects our changing views as a society? Let us know in the comments. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with our entertainment team through email, phone, or our Submit Stuff page.
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