Despite the progress, the fight is not over. Ageism in Hollywood is persistent, particularly for women of color, plus-sized women, and those without existing star power. The "cougar" trope (older woman/younger man) is still often played for laughs rather than romance. And for every Jean Smart, there are a hundred talented mature actresses who cannot get a meeting.
A film like The Lost Daughter (directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, starring Olivia Colman) doesn’t have explosions, but it has awards-buzz and a loyal subscriber base. Studios have realized that a $20 million drama with a 60-year-old lead can be more profitable than a $200 million superhero bomb.