Saoirse Ronan’s reaction to Paul Mescal’s joke shows the power of calling people out in real time: ‘That’s what girls have to think about’

Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal at the Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala.

Fans on social media praised Saoirse Ronan after a clip of her responding to Paul Mescal’s joke about self-defense went viral.

Ronan appeared on an episode of “The Graham Norton Show” alongside Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne, and Denzel Washington, aired on October 25.

Redmayne discussed playing an assassin in his latest TV project, “The Day of the Jackal.” Training with a combat expert for the role, he said he learned to use his phone as a weapon against an attacker.

Mescal made a joke in response, saying, “Who is actually going to think about that? If someone attacked me, I’m not going to go ‘phone.'”

The “Aftersun” actor mimed using his phone, and Redmayne replied laughing, “That’s a very good point.”

However, Ronan wasn’t convinced. She interjected, “That’s what girls have to think about all the time.”

In the clip, the other men briefly stopped speaking before Ronan added, “Am I right, ladies?” The audience cheered and applauded the Irish actor.

saoirse ronan gagging men we love to see it pic.twitter.com/Oyu5cdlPBq

— scarlett 🍒 (@rvdlovess) October 26, 2024

The clip went viral on X, as one user captioned the footage, “Saoirse Ronan gagging men we love to see it.”

Ronan has frequently used her platform to bring women’s rights into the limelight and previously advocated for abortion. In 2019, she hosted a talk about feminism for students in Dublin, where she also discussed inequality in Hollywood.

Attitudes in Hollywood towards sexual misconduct have begun to change since the #MeToo movement exploded on social media in 2017 after wide-spread sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein and his subsequent arrest.

A 2023 survey conducted by the organization Women in Film of 266 current and former industry employees found 59% of respondents believed the culture around abuse, harassment and misconduct in Hollywood had improved since 2022.

But the footage of Ronan and Mescal sparked a conversation about how men still don’t understand how women think about safety.

In 2018, the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University conducted a #MeToo survey where 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime.

The study was repeated in 2024. 82% of women and 42% of men of the 3,300 participants surveyed have experienced sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Despite more awareness of women’s safety since 2017, there has been little change overall.

One X user explained: “Saoirse Ronan is a queen. Men need a reminder what it’s like being a woman so they can appreciate their privilege.”

X users were quick to note the stunned silence of Norton and the other male guests immediately following Ronan’s comment. The actress made a great case for the power of speaking out as the only woman in a male-centric space.