While research on heterosexual relationship preferences in Europe suggests men generally prefer younger partners, with the desired age gap widening as they age, women's preferences tell a different story.
This came particularly as the film featured lingering nudity of Pugh, and the age gap was ten years greater than the real life age gap between the characters they play.
A new wave of films is showcasing relationships where older women are the romantic leads, pursuing younger men, challenging stereotypes like the "cougar" or "Mrs. Robinson" that have long dominated popular culture.
Unlike the daughter in Mrs Robinson, who is perceived as the competition, her character’s daughter has her back and acknowledges the double standards women face when the age gap is this way around.
Interestingly, the recent films featuring older women and younger men couples have more women in key creative roles behind the scenes.
