Penelope Cruz: The Art of Being a Woman in the World of Film

From a young age, Penélope Cruz knew the world was full of stories not just to observe, but to live. Her love of transformation began as a childhood game—imagining herself as someone else, exploring different lives and worlds. What started as a game, however, became a true calling. “I wasn’t running from reality,” Cruz says. “I was trying to understand people and the world around me.”

From a young age, Penélope Cruz knew the world was full of stories not just to observe, but to live. Her love of transformation began as a childhood game—imagining herself as someone else, exploring different lives and worlds. What started as a game, however, became a true calling. “I wasn’t running from reality,” Cruz says. “I was trying to understand people and the world around me.”

This curious and thoughtful nature continues to guide her work today, in every film, in every role. Currently, the actress is preparing for one of the boldest projects of her career: she will play a detective in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride, starring alongside Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. The film is inspired by James Whale’s 1935 classic The Bride of Frankenstein and promises to be a gothic thriller, in which Cruz must hunt real-life monsters of the 1930s—while also fighting for recognition in a male-dominated detective world. “She has to fight very hard,” Cruz tells L’OFFICIEL. “Just like women in every profession, who still have to prove their worth.”

Cruz knows this firsthand. For decades, she worked nonstop, sometimes appearing in four films a year. Today, as an Oscar winner and longtime Chanel muse, she has become more selective about her roles. “I never regret saying ‘no’ to things,” she shares. “Especially if the reason is simply to be with my family and raise my children in a present way, being a real mom every day.”

Her approach to work is deliberate and thoughtful. Cruz doesn’t chase fame; she values the depth of every role and the opportunity to tell stories that matter to her and her audience. The Bride promises to be yet another testament to Cruz’s ability to combine a strong female presence with refined acting mastery.

In a world where success is often measured by awards and media attention, Penélope reminds us: true artistry isn’t about chasing recognition, but about being honest with yourself and with the people you love.