How Sexism Derailed Anne Hathaway's Career and What Her New Film Proves About Her Talent

When Anne Hathaway won the Oscar in 2013, it should have been the pinnacle moment of her career. Instead, it marked the beginning of a decade-long public backlash that questioned everything from her authenticity to her likability. What followed was a coordinated campaign of disdain, with major media outlets and social platforms questioning whether she was genuinely likable or simply performing likability. The irony? She was being punished for the exact same ambition and hard work that made audiences fall in love with male actors and actresses like Jennifer Lawrence. The difference came down to one thing: sexism.

The real kicker is how this backlash affected her career opportunities. Despite being one of the most famous actresses alive, Hathaway’s post-Oscar filmography is notably eclectic and lacks major blockbuster leads. Whether she stopped pursuing them or stopped being offered them remains unclear, but the result is the same: a talented actress whose potential has been limited by public perception manufactured almost entirely by gendered double standards. She responded by withdrawing from the celebrity game, becoming more guarded in interviews, more selective about roles, and more protective of her privacy. She stopped trying to perform likability for an audience that was never going to be satisfied anyway.

Now with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, audiences are getting a fresh look at what Hathaway is capable of as an actress. Her nuanced performance as Penelope proves that her talent has never been in question. What’s in question is whether we’re ready to acknowledge our role in tearing her down and whether we’ll treat ambitious women differently moving forward. Have you watched The Odyssey yet, or are you planning to give Anne Hathaway another shot?