American actor and activist Ashley Judd has offered a critical reassessment of the portrayal of women in the classic 1995 crime drama 'Heat', directed by Michael Mann. While affirming her pride in being part of the iconic film, Judd stated that its depiction of female characters is problematic, viewing it as a mirror of the era's societal realities and structural inequalities faced by women.
A Critical Rewatch Through a Modern Lens
In a recent interview, the 57-year-old actor revealed she has been revisiting her filmography with her partner, analysing the projects with a more contemporary and critical perspective. This reflective process has led her to scrutinise how women were often framed in cinema during that period.
"The depiction of women in this movie is not okay," Judd said, specifically referring to Heat. She added that she now looks at all her past work through this evolving lens. Her critique extends beyond a single film, touching on a broader pattern in Hollywood narratives.
Beyond Resilience: Confronting Structural Inequality
Judd expanded her commentary to include her 1997 thriller 'Kiss the Girls'. She expressed a complex reaction when fans cite it as a favourite, prompting discussions about the normalization of violence against women for entertainment. "When people say, 'Kiss the Girls is my favourite movie,' I'm like, 'Let's talk about that,' because male sexual violence and male torture of women is not entertainment," she explained.
The actor further argued that simply labelling such narratives as tales of female "resilience" can be a superficial approach. This framing, she believes, often sidesteps the root causes of the harm depicted. "Calling it resilience rather than going into the structural inequality that caused the harm to happen in the first place -- we're all implicated in that," Judd stated, highlighting a need for deeper societal accountability.
Pride in an 'Iconic' Film Despite Its Flaws
Despite her pointed criticism, Ashley Judd maintains a strong sense of pride regarding her role in Heat. She described the film as "iconic" and a significant piece of cinematic history. "I'm glad, still, that I was a part of this movie," she affirmed. "It's a reflection of reality, and reality is problematic."
In the film, Judd played Charlene Shiherlis, the wife of Chris Shiherlis, portrayed by the late Val Kilmer. She characterised their on-screen relationship as "Romeo and Juliet, but the reverse," pointing to the emotionally charged climax where her character makes a silent choice to protect her husband from the police. Recalling the final scene, she said, "I'm giving him freedom." To achieve the raw emotional depth for those moments, Judd revealed that she and Kilmer intentionally maintained a professional distance off-camera during filming. Val Kilmer passed away in April 2025.
The ensemble cast of Heat also included legendary actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, and Natalie Portman.
Since her early fame, Judd has built a substantial career with films like Double Jeopardy and Divergent, while simultaneously emerging as a powerful advocate for women's rights. She is a known voice against sexual harassment, having spoken publicly about her experiences with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. Her activism includes work with organisations such as YouthAids, the International Center for Research on Women, and the United Nations.
