Kristen Stewart Buys Dilapidated Movie Theatre, Says She Wants to Discover Its ‘Mysteries’

Los Angeles — Hollywood actress Kristen Stewart has taken a step towards preserving cinema culture by purchasing a rundown old movie theatre in Los Angeles.

Stewart said she has always been fascinated by old and abandoned theatres. “I’m fascinated by broken-down old theatres. I always want to see what mysteries they hold,” she said. The theatre was shut down in 2024, just before completing nearly 100 years of operation.

Like many cinemas built in Los Angeles during the 1920s, the theatre was designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith. It originally opened on March 2, 1925, with a screening of Lady of the Night.

Speaking in an interview with Architectural Digest, Stewart said, “I didn’t realize I was looking for a theatre until this place came to my attention. Then it felt like a gunshot went off and the race was on. I ran toward it with everything I had.”

The Chronology of Water director views the restoration project as an opportunity to create a shared cultural space where people can gather, collaborate, and dream together.

“We want to make it a family affair and something for the community. It’s not just for pretentious Hollywood cinephiles,” she said. “I see it as an antidote to corporate culture — a place where movie culture is not just about buying and selling. There is a strong desire and craving for spaces like this.”

Stewart also noted that the theatre contains many beautiful architectural details that need restoration. She believes the building can be revived in a way that preserves its historical character while bringing something new to the neighbourhood and the larger Los Angeles film community.

Stewart is not alone in supporting cinema culture in Los Angeles. Director Quentin Tarantino owns the New Beverly Cinema and the Vista Theatre. Meanwhile, a group of filmmakers including Jason Reitman, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Bradley Cooper purchased the historic Fox Village Theatre in Westwood.

Speaking about her hometown, Stewart said, “I absolutely love this city. It feels less like a single city and more like a cluster of neighbourhoods, yet there’s unity in that. I enjoy the spaciousness — you can decide how you want to fill it.”

Stewart’s directed film The Chronology of Water, starring Imogen Poots, is currently in theatres. Among her upcoming projects is The Wrong Girls, directed by her wife Dylan Meyer. Stewart stars in the film and also co-wrote the script with Meyer.

With inputs from IANS