Kristen Stewart has made headlines with a surprising development in her career by purchasing the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles‘ Highland Park neighborhood. This theater, nearly 100 years old, closed its doors in 2023, and Stewart’s purchase signals her commitment to preserving and revitalizing the city’s cinematic heritage amid turbulent times in the U.S. film industry. The Kristen Stewart theater purchase reflects her desire to counter growing anxieties about Hollywood’s future under Donald Trump’s administration.
Historic Background and Challenges Facing the Highland Theatre
The Highland Theatre opened its doors in 1925 and was designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith. Despite its rich history, the triplex cinema became one of numerous theaters deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing its closure last year. Dan Akarakian, the former owner, confirmed the shutdown to the Los Angeles Times, explaining that the theater’s revenue never rebounded to pre-pandemic figures. The theater’s closure is emblematic of the wider struggles faced by many Los Angeles venues trying to survive amidst economic shifts and evolving moviegoing habits.
Stewart’s Vision: Reimagining the Theater as a Community Space
Kristen Stewart has emphasized that purchasing the Highland Theatre is not simply a real estate investment but a chance to create a vibrant cultural hub. She shared her enthusiasm with Architectural Digest, explaining,
“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’s affection for old, “broken-down” theaters drives her ambition to restore both the building and its role in Los Angeles’ film community.
She envisions the renovation as “a new school” where filmmakers and audiences can connect organically.
“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,”
Stewart explained. She hopes the theater will be
“an antidote to all the corporate bullshit,”
a space where movie culture transcends commercial transactions and fosters genuine appreciation.
Honoring History While Embracing New Possibilities
Stewart, originally from the San Fernando Valley, is particularly invested in restoring the theater’s unique architectural elements. She highlighted the importance of
“bringing 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.”
For her, this balance of preservation and innovation represents “new ideas” essential for Hollywood’s future.
This outlook aligns with her recent work as a filmmaker. Stewart’s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, adapts Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir about childhood trauma and addiction. Speaking about the film industry, Stewart told Architectural Digest,
“The narrow path that’s been forged has to be broadened, not by tokenized diversity but by doing things really differently. 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.”
Joining Other Filmmakers Investing in Cinema Preservation
Stewart joins a small but increasing number of well-known filmmakers who have invested in preserving Los Angeles’ cinema culture. Quentin Tarantino, for instance, owns the New Beverly Cinema and the Vista Theatre, maintaining venues that prioritize independent and classic films. Stewart’s purchase adds momentum to efforts focused on sustaining physical spaces for movie lovers amid the rise of streaming and declining box office attendance.
Industry Concerns Prompting Stewart’s Theater Acquisition
The theater purchase comes shortly after Stewart’s public expressions of unease about continuing her career in the U.S. film industry. In an interview with the Sunday Times, she revealed that she could not envision staying in America due to Trump’s rhetoric and proposed film policies. Last year, Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., branding them a “National Security threat.” This stance disregards the fact that many American blockbusters and independents are filmed internationally.
Stewart described Trump’s proposals as “terrifying” and indicated they could force her to relocate abroad to maintain creative freedom. Asked about her plans to stay in America, she said,
“Probably not. I can’t work freely there.”
Despite this, she emphasized that she has no intention of abandoning American viewers 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.”
Long-Standing Tensions Between Stewart and Donald Trump
Stewart’s uneasy relationship with Trump dates back to 2012, well before his political career, when he publicly criticized her during a highly publicized breakup with Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson. This followed the revelation of Stewart’s affair with Rupert Sanders, director of Snow White and the Huntsman. At that time, Trump posted derogatory comments on X, 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!”
Stewart later described Trump’s intense focus on her as “f***ing crazy” and “insane” during a Variety interview at the Sundance Film Festival on Inauguration Day. She also poked fun at this unusual chapter when hosting Saturday Night Live in February 2017, underscoring its surreal nature.
The Implications of Stewart’s Theater Investment
Kristen Stewart’s acquisition of the Highland Theatre holds significance beyond saving a landmark building. Her vision to create a space rooted in community, artistic innovation, and historical respect reflects a broader resistance to the challenges facing the U.S. film industry. Stewart’s move suggests that filmmakers may seek more direct control over exhibition venues as a way to support independent voices and nurture inclusive, creative environments. As this project unfolds, it could inspire other artists to follow suit, potentially shaping the cultural landscape of Los Angeles in the years ahead.
