Cate Blanchett criticizes stalled #MeToo progress and gender inequality in Hollywood at Cannes 2026
Consensus Summary
Cate Blanchett criticized the #MeToo movement’s stalled progress in Hollywood during a Cannes Film Festival 2026 interview, stating it was 'killed very quickly' despite women’s continued advocacy. She highlighted persistent gender inequality on film sets, noting a ratio of 10 women to 75 men daily, and referenced her 2018 protest with 81 women at Cannes to symbolize the disparity in female directors. Julianne Moore also spoke about improved but still insufficient gender representation on crews. Both articles frame Blanchett’s comments against the backdrop of Harvey Weinstein’s ongoing rape trial, which reignited scrutiny of #MeToo’s legacy nearly a decade after its peak. Blanchett’s upcoming role in Brady Corbet’s 'X-rated' film was also noted, alongside broader discussions about Hollywood’s willingness to embrace lasting change.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Cate Blanchett said at Cannes 2026 that the #MeToo movement 'got killed very quickly' in Hollywood, calling it 'interesting' that momentum stalled despite many women speaking up
- Blanchett noted that on film sets, there are typically '10 women and 75 men every morning' during headcounts
- In 2018, Blanchett and 81 other women protested at Cannes by appearing on the Palais des Festivals steps, representing the total number of female directors selected for Cannes competition since its inception (vs. 1,866 male directors)
- Blanchett will star in Brady Corbet’s next film, an 'X-rated' feature set in the 1970s, alongside Selena Gomez and Michael Fassbender
- Julianne Moore spoke at Cannes about improved gender representation on film crews, recalling being one of two women on a set around 2016
- The Cannes Film Festival event took place on Sunday, May 18, 2026, during the 79th edition
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Blanchett mentioned that the jokes on male-dominated sets 'become the same' and 'get boring for everybody'
- The Associated Press contributed to the Guardian’s report
- Blanchett defended Cannes in 2018, saying gender equality change 'is not going to happen overnight' after criticism over only 3 female-directed films in a 21-film lineup
- The article explicitly states that the #MeToo movement was founded by activist Tarana Burke in 2017 to support women and girls of color experiencing sexual violence, with Alyssa Milano popularizing the phrase online after Harvey Weinstein’s allegations
- The ABC article highlights Weinstein’s ongoing third New York rape trial and jurors’ struggle to reach a unanimous verdict as context for the #MeToo legacy discussion
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian does not mention the specific date of Julianne Moore’s Kering Women in Motion talk, while ABC implies it occurred on Saturday, May 17, 2026, based on context
Source Articles
Cate Blanchett says #MeToo ‘got killed very quickly’ in Hollywood
Australian actor says there are still ‘10 women and 75 men’ on film sets a decade after the gender equality movement dominated conversations Cate Blanchett has lamented that the #MeToo movement “got killed very quickly” in Hollywood, while speaking at the Cannes film festival. In a wide-ranging, staged conversation on Sunday, Blanchett lamented that the tide of #MeToo has been turned in Hollywood, where she has been outspoken about gender equality. Associated Press contributed to this report Con
Blanchett says #MeToo reckoning in Hollywood 'got killed very quickly'
The Oscar-winning actor says Hollywood's reckoning over sexual misconduct and gender equality has stalled despite the global impact of #MeToo.