She still has the laugh. You know the one—that full-bodied, slightly chaotic cackle that made the entire world fall in love with a girl in a polka-dot dress at a polo match. But if you’ve been paying attention to Julia Roberts now 2024, you’ll notice something has shifted. The "America’s Sweetheart" era hasn't just ended; it’s been tactfully dismantled.
Honestly, 2024 has been a bit of a bridge year for her. While 2023 ended with the high-anxiety Netflix hit Leave the World Behind, this year has been about Julia leaning into a new kind of creative power. She isn't just taking roles anymore. She’s choosing projects that feel almost... uncomfortable.
The Luca Guadagnino Factor and "After the Hunt"
The biggest buzz surrounding Julia Roberts right now involves a name you might not expect: Luca Guadagnino. The man who gave us the sweaty, high-stakes tennis drama Challengers has officially drafted Julia for his next psychological thriller, After the Hunt.
Filming kicked off in the summer of 2024, specifically around July, taking over locations in London and Cambridge. This isn't a cozy rom-com. Basically, Julia plays a high-level college professor whose life starts to crater when a star student (played by the everywhere-at-once Ayo Edebiri) levels a massive accusation against one of Julia’s colleagues, played by Andrew Garfield.
- The Vibe: Dark, academic, and morally grey.
- The Role: Alma Olsson, a woman with a "dark secret" of her own.
- The Release: It's slated for late 2025, but the 2024 production phase has been intense.
Julia actually mentioned on The Kelly Clarkson Show that playing someone this "cold" was "exhausting." It’s a far cry from the warmth we usually associate with her. She’s exploring the "unlikable woman" trope, and frankly, it’s about time.
Why 2024 Is the Year of the "Jewelry Architect"
If she isn't on a film set, Julia is likely in Switzerland or Los Angeles talking about emeralds. In March 2024, she leveled up her partnership with Chopard by co-designing a high-jewelry capsule collection.
We’re talking about the "Insofu Emerald," a massive 6,225-carat stone found in Zambia. Julia didn't just slap her name on the box. She worked with Caroline Scheufele to mix these giant green stones with turquoise—a gem she’s loved her whole life. She even told National Jeweler that she thinks the pieces look just as good with a pair of jeans as they do with a ball gown. That’s very Julia: high-end luxury, but make it approachable.
She spent a lot of time in 2024 promoting this "Feel-Good" vibe for Chopard. It’s a smart move. It keeps her face in the luxury fashion world without her having to commit to the grueling schedule of a traditional blockbuster.
The Reality of Being an Empty Nester
Life at home is looking a lot different for Julia Roberts and husband Danny Moder lately. Their twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus, turned 20 in 2024. Let that sink in for a second. The kids who were just toddlers in the tabloids are now full-blown adults navigating college.
Julia has been surprisingly candid about this transition. She’s called herself a "stay-at-home mom" who just happens to act, and with her youngest, Henry, hitting 17 this year, the "empty nest" is looming large.
"He is the captain of our ship," Julia said of Danny Moder on the Today show recently.
They celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on July 4, 2024. In Hollywood years, that’s basically a century. Their secret? Apparently, it’s just a lot of kissing and having two separate bathroom sinks. Simple, yet effective.
Julia Roberts Now 2024: A Different Kind of Style Icon
Earlier this year, Julia showed up at the Jacquemus "Les Sculptures" show in the South of France, and she basically shut down the internet. She wore this structured, longline coat dress with sheer black stockings and those trademark round sunglasses.
What’s interesting is that she’s stopped trying to follow trends. She’s leaning into "classic Roberts"—menswear-inspired tailoring, monochrome palettes, and that messy-on-purpose hair. She told British Vogue this year that she almost turned down Notting Hill because she felt "awkward" playing a movie star. It’s ironic, because in 2024, she’s finally looking like she’s fully embraced the title, on her own terms.
Fact-Checking the "Comeback" Rumors
Is she having a comeback? Not really, because she never actually left. She just stopped playing the game by the old rules.
- Is she retired? No. She’s just picky. She’s admitted she only works once a year if the script is perfect.
- Is she moving to TV? She’s open to it (remember Gaslit?), but the 2024 focus has been strictly on Guadagnino’s film.
- The Matthew Perry Connection: Late in 2023 and early 2024, she had to navigate the grief of losing her former flame and friend, Matthew Perry. She spoke gracefully about it, reminding everyone that life is fragile, even for icons.
What Most People Get Wrong About Julia Roberts Today
People think she’s still looking for the next Pretty Woman. She isn’t. She’s 56 (turning 57 in October 2024) and she’s looking for roles that challenge the "perfect" image she’s maintained for thirty years.
She’s also more involved in activism than she lets on. In December 2024, she put her weight behind "Frankie Lola and Friends," a dog rescue organization. She’s always been a dog person—sadly, her legendary 19-year-old dog Myrtle passed away recently, a heartbreak she shared with her followers.
How to Follow Julia’s 2024 Lead
If you want to channel that Julia Roberts energy this year, it’s not about finding a red dress. It’s about these three things:
- Quality over Quantity: Whether it’s your work or your social life, do less but do it better.
- The Power of No: Julia says no to 90% of what’s offered to her. Protect your time.
- Stay Loyal: 22 years of marriage in a town that eats relationships for breakfast is her real greatest achievement.
The 2024 version of Julia Roberts is someone who is comfortable in her own skin, even if the characters she’s playing are anything but. She’s teaching us that you don't have to be the "sweetheart" forever to stay relevant. You just have to be real.
Keep an eye out for the After the Hunt trailers starting to drop in early 2025. That’s when we’ll see if this "cold" Julia is a one-time experiment or the beginning of a whole new chapter.
Next Steps for Fans:
Follow Julia’s official Instagram for her rare, but personal, "GIVE BACK" updates and check out her 2024 "Life in Looks" interview with British Vogue to see the evolution of her style from the 90s to today.