Julia Roberts<\/a> is hitting back against criticism of her latest film, “After the Hunt.”<\/p>\n The movie, which premiered this week at the Venice Film Festival<\/a>, has stoked controversy as some viewers wonder about its place in a post-#MeToo culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n The film casts Roberts<\/a> as a respected university professor who wrestles with professional and personal fallout when her mentee (Ayo Edebiri<\/a>) alleges a male colleague (Andrew Garfield<\/a>) behaved inappropriately. When pressed by journalists about whether the movie wrongfully casts doubt on the importance of believing female accusers, Roberts<\/a> pushed back, arguing the psychological thriller was aimed at sparking difficult, but important conversations.<\/p>\n Julia Roberts attends the <\/p>\n George Clooney walks Venice Film <\/strong>Festival red carpet with wife Amal amid health issues<\/a><\/p>\n “Not to be disagreeable, because it’s not in my nature,” Roberts said<\/a> at a festival news conference, per Variety.<\/a> “But the thing you said that I love is it ‘revives old arguments.’ I don’t think it’s just reviving an argument of women being pitted against each other or not supporting each other. There are a lot of old arguments that get rejuvenated that creates conversation.<\/p>\n 1<\/span> of 62<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is underway, and Hollywood’s top stars are arriving. See the best photos from the event, starting with cast member Oscar Isaac, director Guillermo del Toro and cast member Jacob Elordi at a photocall for “Frankenstein” during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 30, 2025, in Venice, Italy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “The best part of your question is that you all came out of the theater talking about it,” she continued in her response to the journalist. “That’s how we wanted it to feel. You realize what you believe in strongly because we stir it all up for you. So, you’re welcome.”<\/p>\n The movie, which also stars Michael Stuhlbarg and Chlo\u00eb Sevigny, was directed by Luca Guadagnino<\/a>, the celebrated Italian filmmaker behind “Call Me By Your Name”<\/a> and “Challengers.”<\/a><\/p>\n Cate Blanchett rewears dress <\/strong>at Venice Film Festival \u2013 see where she wore it before<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Stuhlbarg, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Chloe Sevigny and Andrew Garfield attend the photocall of the movie <\/p>\n Sexual misconduct \u2013 always a hot topic in Hollywood but more so in the wake of the massive #MeToo movement, sparked in part by the public accusations by dozens of women against embattled producer Harvey Weinstein<\/a> \u2013 takes center stage in the movie. While Guadagnino has cast the film as an honest look at people’s inner conflicts, some critics have derided the script for creating a false equivalence between the narratives.<\/p>\n “We’re not making statements; we are portraying these people in this moment in time,” Roberts added at the news conference, per Variety. “I don’t know about controversy, per se, but we are challenging people to have conversation. To be excited or infuriated about it is up to you. If making this movie does anything, getting everybody to talk to each other is the most exciting thing that I think we could accomplish.<\/p>\n “I love the softball questions early in the morning,” she added in jest.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
See Jacob Elordi, George Clooney, more stars arrive at Venice Film Festival 2025<\/h2>\n
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