Jodie Foster Calls Out

Oscar-winning actor Jodie Foster has voiced her confusion over young performers who take on roles in subpar films simply to stay active in the industry. Speaking during the Cannes Film Festival, the Hollywood veteran reflected on how her selective approach to acting differs from that of the new generation.

Now 62, Foster began her career at the age of three and earned her first Oscar nomination at just 14 for Taxi Driver. Despite decades in the business, she admits that acting is no longer something she feels compelled to do unless the material resonates deeply.

“They don’t care if the movie’s bad. They don’t care if the dialogue is bad. They don’t care if they’re a grape in a Fruit of the Loom ad,” she remarked.

Foster emphasized that she chooses roles based on their narrative depth and emotional weight. Her latest project, Vie Privée, a French psychological thriller, attracted her precisely because it felt “like the right piece of material.”

Though still passionate about cinema, Foster said she could walk away from acting without regret, suggesting that her love lies more in storytelling than performance itself. She also revealed that by the age of 18, she had already worked so extensively that she consciously shifted how she approached new projects.

In recent years, Foster has expressed concern about generational divides in the workplace. She previously noted frustrations with Gen Z's casual approach to professional norms, and said she’s tried mentoring younger actors — including The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey — to help them find their creative voice without succumbing to industry pressure.

Foster’s legacy spans a broad spectrum of roles, from early performances in Bugsy Malone and Freaky Friday to her Oscar-winning turns in The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs. More recently, she’s earned critical acclaim for her work in Nyad and HBO’s True Detective: Night Country.