Julia Roberts calls hollywood 'male-dominated,' says it doesn’t intimidate her

Hollywood veteran and Oscar-winning actor Julia Roberts has opened up about the male-dominated nature of the film industry, a reality she says does not intimidate her. The 57-year-old star, known for her iconic performances in Notting Hill , Runaway Bride , and her Academy Award-winning role in Erin Brockovich , is set to appear next in the psychological thriller After the Hunt .

In the film, Roberts plays Alma Imhoff, a college professor navigating a student's accusation while confronting her own troubled past. Alma’s character had to thrive in a “deeply misogynist” environment to reach her professional standing, mirroring challenges women often face in male-dominated spaces.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Roberts told The Times , “Well, it’s still super-male! Make no mistake. But yes. Any woman in any job not populated in the majority by women can say Alma’s speech… We’ve all had that experience. Any woman has. Because I often find myself sitting at a table and, maybe, there’s only one other woman there. In those sort of environments. I am without fear.”

Roberts revealed that the ambiguity she felt toward Alma drew her to the role. “Basically, when I became a parent, I learnt that I could not take a job unless I was fully committed to it. I just couldn’t decide if I liked Alma or hated her… Or even understood her. And that is a reason to leave the comfort of my own home for work, right? To go someplace uncomfortable,” she said. Julia Roberts chose to highlight the artistic challenge of Alma’s ambiguity, likely keeping personal, practical, or other motivations private while emphasizing the creative reasons that drew her to the role.

After the Hunt also stars Andrew Garfield and is directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film is slated for release in theatres on October 10.