Julia Roberts hopes After the Hunt prompts some difficult conversations.

The 57-year-old actress - who stars alongside Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloe Sevigny in the new psychological thriller film - has pushed back against suggestions that After the Hunt is undermining the feminist movement.

During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Julia was asked whether the movie "revives old arguments" about believing woman who speak up about sexual assault allegations.

In response, Julia explained: "Not to be disagreeable, because it's not in my nature, but the thing you said that I love is it 'revives old arguments.' I don't think it's just reviving an argument of women being pitted against each other or not supporting each other. There are a lot of old arguments that get rejuvenated that creates conversation."

After the Hunt tells the story of Alma, a college professor who gets caught in between a sexual abuse allegation involving a student and a work colleague.

Julia continued: "The best part of your question is that you all came out of the theatre talking about it. That's how we wanted it to feel. You realize what you believe in strongly because we stir it all up for you. So, you're welcome."

Julia ultimately hopes that the movie will stimulate some important conversations.

The Hollywood icon shared: "We're not making statements; we are portraying these people in this moment in time.

"I don't know about controversy, per se, but we are challenging people to have conversation. To be excited or or infuriated about it is up to you. If making this movie does anything, getting everybody to talk to each other is the most exciting thing that I think we could accomplish."

Julia jokingly added: "I love the softball questions early in the morning!"

Elsewhere, Luca Guadagnino - the film's director - has described After the Hunt as a movie that looks at people "in their truths".

The 54-year-old filmmaker - who previously helmed Challengers and Queer - continued: "It's not that one truth is most important, it's how we see the clash of truths and what is the boundary of these truths together. It's not about making a manifesto to revive old-fashioned values."

Meanwhile, Nora Garrett - the screenwriter - has launched a staunch defence of the film, insisting that it feels "true and real".

Nora explained: "To imagine that we have completely moved on into a separate wave of feminism undermines what is actually happening and the reality of being with each other in society.

"We're trying to bring something that felt true and real."