Kristen Stewarts Bold Move Amid Political Tensions

Kristen Stewart has made a surprise career move after recently teasing plans to leave the U.S. amid growing concerns about the state of the film industry under Donald Trump.

The Oscar-nominated actress and filmmaker has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles' Highland Park neighborhood, stepping in to revive the nearly 100-year-old cinema after it shuttered last year. 

'I didn't realize I was looking for a theater until this place came to my attention. Then it was like a gunshot went off and the race was on. I ran toward it with everything I had,' Stewart told Architectural Digest this month. 'I'm fascinated by broken-down old theaters. I always want to see what mysteries they hold.'

The Highland Theatre, which originally opened in 1925, was designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith.

Despite its storied past, the Highland became one of many post-pandemic casualties in Los Angeles' struggling theatrical landscape.

Former owner Dan Akarakian confirmed to the Los Angeles Times on March 1, 2024, that the triplex cinema was forced to close after business failed to recover to pre-2020 levels.

Kristen Stewart has made a surprise career move after recently teasing plans to leave the U.S. amid growing concerns about the state of the film industry under Donald Trump; seen in 2023

For Stewart, the acquisition represents far more than a real estate purchase. 

She described the forthcoming renovation as an opportunity to create a communal hub for filmmakers and audiences alike.

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'This project is about creating a new school and restructuring our processes, finding a better way forward. We want to make it a family affair, something for the community,' she said. 'It's not just for pretentious Hollywood cinephiles. I see it as an antidote to all the corporate bullshit, a place that takes movie culture away from just buying and selling. I think there's a huge desire and craving for what this kind of space can offer.'

The star, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, said restoring the theater's historic details is central to her vision.

'There are so many beautiful details that need to be restored. There's a way to bring the building back to life in a way that embraces its history but also brings something new to the neighborhood and something new to the whole LA film community,' Stewart explained. 'That's the point - new ideas.'

Her passion for reimagining Hollywood's future has been a recurring theme during press for her feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's 2011 memoir chronicling childhood abuse and addiction.

'The narrow path that's been forged has to be broadened, not by tokenized diversity but by doing things really differently,' Stewart told Architectural Digest. 'We can't keep making the same movie over and over again. And we can't turn our backs on the people who are most in need.'

Stewart now joins a small but growing group of filmmakers who have invested in preserving Los Angeles' cinema culture. 

The Oscar-nominated actress and filmmaker has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles' Highland Park neighborhood

In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, the Twilight star said she could not see herself remaining in America, citing Trump's rhetoric and proposed policies targeting Hollywood; seen in 2026

This includes Quentin Tarantino, who owns both the New Beverly Cinema and the Vista Theatre.

The theater purchase comes just weeks after Stewart made headlines for voicing fears about continuing to work in the U.S. film industry.

In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, the Twilight star said she could not see herself remaining in America, citing Trump's rhetoric and proposed policies targeting Hollywood.

Last year, Trump said he would impose a 100 per cent tariff on movies made outside the U.S., calling them a 'National Security threat,' despite the fact that both blockbuster and independent films frequently shoot internationally.

Stewart branded the proposal 'terrifying' and said it could force her to move abroad to continue making films.

Asked whether she planned to stay in the U.S., she replied: 'Probably not. I can't work freely there' (seen in 2026)

Asked whether she planned to stay in the U.S., she replied: 'Probably not. I can't work freely there.'

However, she made clear she has no intention of abandoning American audiences altogether, adding: 'But I don't want to give up completely. I'd like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.'

The actress also reflected on her long-standing and unusual history with Trump, dating back to 2012 when he launched a series of public attacks against her during her highly publicized breakup with Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson following her affair with Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders.

Trump, who was not yet a political figure at the time, fired off multiple posts on X criticizing Stewart's love life, including: 'Robert Pattinson should not take Kristen Stewart back. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again–just watch. He can do much better!'

He followed up with a flurry of similar messages over the span of weeks.

Years later, Stewart described the episode as surreal while speaking to Variety at the Sundance Film Festival on the day of Trump's inauguration.

'He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is f***ing crazy. What?' she said. 'I can't even understand it… It's insane.'

She later poked fun at the bizarre chapter while hosting Saturday Night Live in February 2017.