Charlize Theron 'enticed' by darkness

Charlize Theron has become more enticed by ”darkness” since becoming a mother.

The 39-year-old actress – who adopted her two-year-old son Jackson as a baby – admits that while motherhood causes many women to adopt a more optimistic view of the world, she has become more ”aware” than ever before.

The South African explained: ”People assume that once you have a child you will naturally veer away from the darkness, [but] I have found the opposite.

”Being a mother is the only thing I have experienced where the reality has surpassed my expectations of how great it would be, but the last thing I want to do now is to close my eyes to everything.

”My quest has always been to understand humanity in all its glory – its beauty and darkness – and I’ve become more enticed by that side of things since becoming a mother: I am very aware.”

The ‘Monster’ actress – who is in a relationship with Sean Penn – also admitted the intense nature of many of her movies means he will not be able to enjoy her work until later in life.

She joked to You magazine: ”Other than my J’adore campaign, my son won’t be able to see any of my work until he’s about 53! I’ve made my peace with that.”