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Kristen Stewart has long been one of Hollywood’s most intriguing talents, and among some of the most well-known names, but now she is stepping into a new role that feels like a breath of fresh air: director. In a candid interview, the actress opened up about why helming her debut feature, ‘The Chronology of Water’, has been so liberating. After years of navigating the frustrations of acting, she finally feels treated like someone with a brain.
Kristen Stewart says she is tired of unequal treatment
Stewart’s breakthrough came with ‘Twilight’, where she played Bella Swan across five massive films. That fame brought blockbuster success but also a sense of being undervalued. She has spoken frankly about how actresses often face dismissive attitudes on set. Directors and producers sometimes overlook their input, reducing them to props in someone else’s vision. “Actresses get treated like s***,” she said bluntly in an interview published with The Times, highlighting the double standard where male actors command more respect.This frustration pushed her toward directing. For eight years, she honed her skills with short films and music videos while developing ‘The Chronology of Water,’ an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s raw memoir. The story follows a young woman’s journey through trauma, addiction, and self-discovery via swimming and writing. Starring Imogen Poots, it premiered at Cannes 2025 to strong reviews in the Un Certain Regard section.Directing gave Stewart the agency she craved. “As a director, you own your ideas,” she explained. No more waiting for approval or clashing opinions like on big studio gigs such as Charlie’s Angels or Snow White and the Huntsman. She collaborated closely with Poots, whose energy shaped every choice, proving that true partnership elevates a project.Her path mirrors a wave of actresses turning to directing, including Kate Winslet and Scarlett Johansson, showing how not being treated right is ‘not ok’. Stewart’s indie spirit shone in films like ‘Personal Shopper’ and ‘Spencer,’ where she worked with visionary international directors. Now, she flips the script, uplifting women’s voices on her own set.
