Kirsten Dunst says working with female directors in Hollywood is very simple

Kirsten Dunst arrived at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival with a quiet confidence that felt earned. On the red carpet for Roofman’s world premiere, she and co-star Channing Tatum presented a film rooted in a strange true story — and the evening buzzed less about spectacle and more about the chemistry between two actors navigating midlife, parenting and unexpected choices.

Roofman, which opens in theaters on October 10, has already sparked conversation for its oddball premise and the easy rapport between its leads. Beyond the film itself, Dunst used the TIFF spotlight to talk about her enduring appeal, the directors she seeks out, and why making room for more female filmmakers is, in her words, “very simple.”

Kirsten Dunst at TIFF 2025: Roofman’s premiere and what to expect

Roofman premiered at TIFF with both the audience and critics noting a warm, believable connection between Dunst and Tatum. The movie dramatizes the real-life saga of Jeffrey Manchester — a military veteran who, after a string of robberies in the mid-2000s, escaped custody and hid out for months in a Toys “R” Us. Tatum plays Manchester; Dunst portrays Leigh, a Toys “R” Us employee and the oblivious romantic interest whose life intersects with his in unexpected ways.

Key facts about the film

• World premiere: 50th Toronto International Film Festival
• Theatrical release: October 10
• Director: Derek Cianfrance
• Plot snapshot: A fugitive veteran hides in a toy store and forms an unlikely connection with a store employee

Why audiences are drawn to Dunst’s screen presence

There’s a generational thread running through Dunst’s career. For many millennials, her performances in late ’90s and early 2000s titles shaped the soundtrack of adolescence. Films such as Marie Antoinette, The Virgin Suicides and Bring It On became cultural touchstones, and the affection hasn’t dimmed. Dunst’s name still prompts recognition from younger viewers discovering those movies for the first time.

• Iconic roles: Mary Jane Watson, a young French queen, and breakout dramatic turns that continue to be rewatched.
• Range: From comedies and teen films to period pieces and psychological dramas.
• Lasting cultural impact: Her earlier films keep finding new audiences on streaming platforms and in cinephile circles.

Dunst laughed about the “millennial icon” label on the TIFF carpet: “I’ll take it. I’ll take it,” she said, admitting that at home with her children, the title hasn’t quite caught on. Still, she welcomed the recognition and acknowledged the odd satisfaction of watching younger viewers champion her past work.

Channing Tatum on Dunst: admiration behind the scenes

Tatum didn’t hide his respect for Dunst during the premiere press circuit. He described feeling nervous to work with her, but also immediately reassured by her warmth. According to Tatum, Dunst’s longevity in Hollywood hasn’t changed her character.

• On her authenticity: Tatum called Dunst “salt of the earth” and praised the effortless quality she brings to a role.
• On performance: He said working opposite her elevated the material, turning potentially odd moments into credible human connections.

“I don’t know how she has been in this industry for this long and stayed as real as she is,” he told reporters, adding that as an actor he feels he can only “bow” to her work ethic and skill.

How Dunst chooses directors and builds creative partnerships

Dunst’s career has been shaped as much by the filmmakers she picks as by the roles she accepts. While Roofman is a Cianfrance project — a collaboration with a well-known male director — Dunst has cultivated long-running relationships with female filmmakers as well.

Notable collaborations

• Sofia Coppola — The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, The Beguiled: a defining creative partnership that launched Dunst into a new dimension of indie prestige.
• Leslye Headland — Bachelorette: a turn toward sharper, contemporary comedy under a female director’s eye.
• Gillian Armstrong — Little Women: a respected director’s touch on a classic adaptation.

Across those collaborations, Dunst has said she actively seeks out female directors, and she frames that decision as straightforward. When asked what she would tell anyone in Hollywood who claims it’s difficult to work with women behind the camera, Dunst offered a blunt, optimistic response: “I think that you just have to give people a chance and give people the opportunity… It’s very simple.”

What Dunst’s stance means in Hollywood’s current landscape

Her point is part craft, part advocacy. In an industry still grappling with representation and gatekeeping, Dunst’s approach is both practical and quietly influential: hire based on talent, extend opportunities, and normalize collaboration with women at every stage of production. She’s not issuing dramatic manifestos; she’s speaking from experience and example.

• Practical message: Give talented filmmakers room to make work, regardless of gender.
• Professional legacy: Building repeat partnerships that center trust and artistic alignment.
• Public posture: Using red carpets and interviews to advocate for inclusion without grandstanding.

From bizarre true story to human drama: Roofman’s tonal balancing act

Part of Roofman’s appeal lies in its tonal gamble. The premise — an escaped convict hiding in a retail toy store — could have been played for sensationalism. Instead, under Cianfrance’s direction and through the performances of Tatum and Dunst, it leans toward intimate drama. The film positions its two leads as forty-something single parents, dealing with ordinary pressures while extraordinary circumstances swirl around them.

Early reviews highlight the film’s reliance on the leads’ chemistry. Critics point to its “considerable star charm” — not from stunt casting or gimmicks, but from believable, lived-in interactions that make a strange story feel grounded in real human choices.

What to watch for in the performances

1. Subtlety over spectacle: Both actors favor internalized reactions over melodrama.
2. Parenthood as backdrop: The characters’ parental responsibilities add emotional stakes and relatability.
3. Humanizing a headline: The film reframes a sensational true event into an exploration of connection, survival and vulnerability.

At TIFF, that shift from headline to human story seemed to resonate. Audience members left conversations more interested in the characters’ inner lives than the tabloid aspects of the true-crime setup — a sign that the casting and tone choices paid off.

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David Miller

David Miller is an entertainment expert with a passion for film, music, and series. With eight years in cultural criticism, he takes you behind the scenes of productions and studios. His energetic style guides you to the next big releases and trending sensations.