Cameron Diaz is making headlines with her recent return to the silver screen, following nearly a decade away from the industry. The 52-year-old actress, known for her iconic roles, stars alongside Jamie Foxx in the Netflix film Back in Action, which was released on January 17, 2025. Diaz's comeback has sparked discussions about how motherhood has altered her perspective on life and work.
During the film's premiere, Diaz reflected on the significant changes she has undergone since becoming a mother. "You're a different person after you have children, after marriage, after building a life," she told E! News. This sentiment encapsulates her thoughts on her career choices and priorities. Diaz, who has two children with her husband Benji Madden—daughter Raddix, five, and son Cardinal, born just last year—explained how her family life has influenced her approach to acting.
After stepping away from Hollywood to focus on raising her kids and managing her brand, Avaline, Diaz admits the decision to return was not taken lightly. She expressed her thoughts on the unique opportunity to collaborate once again with Foxx, saying, "How do you say 'No' to Jamie Foxx? If there's anyone I'm going to go back and spend months on end on set having a ball and laughing with, it would be Jamie." This compelling partnership certainly weighed on her choice to re-enter the film industry.
Despite the long break, Diaz found her experience of returning to acting markedly different from her previous stints. During her absence, she focused solely on her family, saying, "That was what I was putting most of my focus on...just trying to stay alive just like every other mother. I'm just trying to keep it going." This dedication to motherhood has reshaped her identity and how she views her career.
Back in Action marks Diaz's first feature film since her role in the 2014 musical Annie. The comedy-thriller, directed by Seth Gordon, follows former CIA agents Emily (played by Diaz) and Matt (Foxx) as they attempt to lead quieter lives. Their aspirations for normalcy quickly unravel as their identities are compromised, thrusting them back to danger and action.
The film has received mixed reactions, with critics panning it for lack of originality—Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times labeling it as conforming to familiar patterns. Yet, audience ratings paint a different picture: the film scored 63% on Rotten Tomatoes' audience meter, indicating a more favorable reception among viewers. One fan, Akaycia A, commented, "Why are people such haters? I thought the movie was great. Nothing groundbreaking, but I loved the character interactions, and more than anything, I was thrilled to see Cameron Diaz back on my screen."
According to reports, Back in Action achieved spectacular viewership, gaining 46.8 million views within days of its release, making it the biggest opening weekend for any English-language film on Netflix since The Adam Project debuted back in March 2022. This overwhelming response showcases the anticipation surrounding Diaz's return, as fans celebrate her re-emergence.
Diaz expressed hope for her children to see her as 'cool' as they grow older. Reflecting on her dual role as both mom and actress, she commented on the fantasy many parents have about their kids seeing them beyond their parental roles. “One of those little fantasies is hoping they would see you as you existed before you had all the weight of the world of being a parent on you,” she mused.
Through her return to acting, Diaz not only reconnects with her past but also demonstrates how motherhood has enriched her perspective on life. With Back in Action, she is not just back at work; she is attempting to bridge the gap between her pre-motherhood identity and her current life as both a dedicated mother and passionate actress.
With Diaz’s career resurgence, many look forward to witnessing how she will balance her roles as both mother and performer, and how this experience will continue to shape her future projects.