Hollywood icon Julia Roberts has once again proven that she is more than just a celebrated actress. Her participation at the Venice Film Festival attracted a lot of attention due to the debut of After the Hunt as well as her vocal opinions on communication. The movie centers on Yale professor Alma (Roberts), who is caught in the middle of a troubling accusation when her protégé Maggie (Ayo Edebiri) accuses Alma’s coworker Hank (Andrew Garfield) of sexual assault.
Maggie claims Hank coerced her after a party, while Hank insists she fabricated the story to hide plagiarism. The narrative deliberately casts doubt on both accounts, forcing Alma to navigate loyalty, truth, and justice. Alongside this compelling role, Roberts also sparked a lively debate about the way people communicate in the modern world.
Julia Roberts admitted her rising worry during a panel discussion that society is gradually losing the skill of genuine, direct interaction. “We live in an age where people prefer texting over talking, and scrolling over listening. I worry that we are losing something deeply human,” she said.
Audiences responded favorably to her direct comments on social media and within the festival. “I don’t think it necessarily revives the old argument of women being pitted against one another,” Roberts continued. Prior to its official premiere on Friday night, the Hunt was screened Thursday night for industry and press, and it immediately generated discussion about the festival. Nonetheless, the majority praised Roberts’ superb performance, and the movie was given a six-minute standing ovation upon its premiere.
The actress, who has long been admired for her charm and relatability, pointed out that the film industry itself is not immune to this shift. “Even in our creative work, the richness of dialogue and the patience to truly listen to one another is being challenged,” she added.
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Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, whose prior work includes Call Me by Your Name, Challengers, and A Bigger Splash, is directing the movie. For the first time, actress Nora Garrett has written the screenplay. Guadagnino emphasized that the movie isn’t intended to cause harm. “Creating a manifesto to restore traditional values is not the goal,” he stated. The film’s premise is that we are examining people in their actual states. It is not that one reality is more significant than another; everyone has their own truths.
Julia Roberts, comments come at a time when psychologists and communication experts are voicing similar concerns. Studies have shown that overreliance on digital communication can reduce empathy, shorten attention spans, and weaken interpersonal skills. Her words, delivered at one of cinema’s most prestigious stages, added a powerful celebrity spotlight to the ongoing cultural debate.
Though the festival is often celebrated for its red-carpet glamour and prestigious premieres, Julia Roberts’ words reminded audiences that art and storytelling are grounded in human connection. Several filmmakers echoed her concerns, highlighting the need to preserve genuine dialogue both in daily life and in cinema. Julia Roberts who gained fame through Pretty Woman and Notting Hill and won an Oscar in 2001 for Erin Brockovich – remarked that she valued the chance to portray complex, troubled women.
Julia Roberts, presence at Venice, paired with her heartfelt message, ensured that her appearance was more than just another red-carpet highlight it became a cultural conversation starter. As one festival attendee put it, “She reminded us that sometimes the most powerful story isn’t on the screen, but in the conversations we risk losing.” Julia Roberts welcomed the challenge, telling reporters, “Trouble’s where the juicy stuff is.” She added that she hopes audiences will feel the same way when After the Hunt arrives in theaters on Oct. 10 2025.