The Hollywood Reporter’s latest Drama Actress Roundtable brings together a dynamic group of performers—Zendaya (Dune: Part Two, Challengers), Angelina Jolie (Maria), Demi Moore (The Substance), Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), and Mikey Madison (Anora)—for a wide-ranging conversation about their careers and the challenges of navigating the modern film industry.

One recurring theme in the conversation was the difficulty of watching oneself on screen. Jolie admitted, “There are many films I’ve never seen. I can never watch dailies.” Swinton echoed similar feelings, saying, “Whenever I see a film that I’m in, for the first few times I see it, my face is kind of fuzzed out, like on those police videos, you know?”

Identity and the demands of the industry also shaped the discussion. Zendaya reflected on her first major adult role in Challengers: “For so long I was playing a teenager, way past when I was one. Being able to play Rue [on Euphoria] has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. But there comes a time where you’ve got to start playing your own age and beyond.”

Saldaña shared her experience reconnecting with dance for Emilia Pérez, saying, “I was given the opportunity to reconnect with parts of me that unconsciously I just left behind.” Moore, meanwhile, delved into the self-critical themes of The Substance, commenting, “The thing that grabbed me was the exploration of the violence we can have against ourselves, that way in which we can dissect and criticise.”

The stars also touched on the importance of community in an industry that can often feel isolating. Swinton pointed out, “Women have been making films as directors since the very beginning of cinema… but there’s a strange sort of mesmerism around it. We’re all supposed to forget it.” Moore added, “When one rises, we all rise.”

The conversation offers a thoughtful look at the experiences and insights of these acclaimed actors. You can watch the full one-hour discussion below…