Julianne Moore draws backlash over comments on violence in films

Julianne Moore drew online criticism after saying she no longer wants to act in movies that feature explosions and guns.

The 65-year-old actress made the comments during an interview with Variety at the Kering Women in Motion Talk at the Cannes Film Festival. She said she is less and less interested in tragedy, especially now when the world feels especially difficult.

"Particularly now at a time when things are really rough globally, it’s very difficult for me to invest in a story that I think is pretend, where I feel like the depth of the emotion, the measure of it, doesn’t measure up to what’s happening in the world," Moore said. "And I don't feel like I want to engage in it."

She added that she dislikes scripts or films that raise stakes without real feeling underneath. "I don’t like someone being murdered. I don’t like explosions and guns. I don’t like histrionics," she said. "I don’t like things that raise the stakes without real feeling underneath. I mean, that actually bothers me because that’s like noise. I don’t know how to play it. I don’t want to watch it."

A clip of the interview posted on X prompted many viewers to point out that Moore has appeared in films that include guns and violence. Some called the remarks inconsistent with her earlier work, including roles in "Hannibal" and other projects.

Others defended her, saying they agreed that there is already enough violence in the world and that audiences want more films focused on family values.

Moore has faced criticism before over her film "May December," which drew objections from Vili Fualaau, who said the story resembled events from his own life. She has maintained that the project was an original story created by the filmmakers.

Moore won an Academy Award in 2015 for her role in "Still Alice." She was also nominated for her performances in "Boogie Nights," "The End of the Affair," "The Hours" and "Far From Heaven." She received the Kering Women in Motion Award at Cannes for her work advancing the role of women in film.