Few aspiring Hollywood actors can boast the pedigree of Dakota Johnson. As the daughter of Miami Vice icon Don Johnson and Working Girl Melanie Griffith, and granddaughter of glamorous The Birds star Tippi Hedron, Johnson’s path to fame was paved with both privilege and the challenge of carving out a star in her own right. Remarkable performances, savvy career decisions – for the most part – and a strong sense of social responsibility have seen her deliver beyond the high expectations placed on famous offspring.
Dakota Mayi Johnson, who turns 35 next month, was exposed to the entertainment industry at birth – in Austin, Texas, where her father was shooting a romantic thriller, The Hot Spot. Her childhood was defined by transience, as she accompanied her parents to countless film sets and premières around the world. This unmoored upbringing, as she has described it, instilled the talent of adaptability and a desire to find her own anchor.
Despite her parents’ discouragement, her interest in acting blossomed early on. She began modelling at the age of 12, honing her skills and gaining confidence in the public eye. However, her path was not without obstacles – she was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and struggled with depression in her mid-teens.
Shades of Success
Perhaps inevitably young Dakota’s first film was a family affair as she and her half-sister, Stella Banderas, appeared as the daughters of their real-life mother in Crazy in Alabama (1999), directed by her stepfather, Antonio Banderas. Her breakthrough, though, came in 2015 when she landed the lead role of Anastasia Steele, opposite Jamie Dornan, in the highly anticipated film adaptations of the Fifty Shades novels. Navigating the complex and controversial nature of the character, she demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the role, earning praise for her performance.
While the Fifty Shades trilogy faced widespread criticism, Johnson’s portrayal of Anastasia was often cited as the standout element. She used the platform to advocate for women’s rights and body positivity, forging her status as a voice for empowerment in the industry.
Roles to Play
Following the exposure of the Fifty Shades films, Johnson’s career took an impressive turn. She showcased her versatility in a range of roles, from the crime drama Black Mass (2015) to the horror film Suspiria (2018) and the coming-of-age story The Peanut Butter Falcon. Her performances draw critical acclaim, solidifying her reputation as a talented and versatile actress. In 2021, she delivered a standout turn in the psychological drama The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, cementing her status as a dramatic powerhouse.
Alongside her acting career, Johnson has demonstrated a keen entrepreneurial spirit. She co-founded a production company, TeaTime Pictures, with the goal of developing compelling film and television projects. This venture has allowed her to expand her creative horizons and take greater control of her artistic choices.
Additionally, she has advocated for important causes, including collaborating with more than 300 women in Hollywood to establish the Time’s Up initiative against sexual harassment and discrimination in the industry. Her commitment to empowerment and social responsibility has solidified her reputation as a multifaceted and socially conscious artist.
Web Insight
Johnson’s intelligent rise to Hollywood lead player hit a bump this spring when she starred in the superhero film Madame Web. Not only was the movie’s financial reception lacklustre, but it was also lambasted by the media. Characteristically, she speaks candidly about the experience: “It’s like, ‘Dakota Johnson Breaks Her Silence on Madame Web’s Fucking Box Office Failure,’” she told Bustle magazine with a laugh in her first major interview following its debut. “No, I’m not breaking any silence. I’m just talking.”
She didn’t mince words when asked about the “nasty reviews” garnered by the Sony Spider-Man Universe offering. “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised that this has gone down the way it has,” she replied, explaining that often in large studio ventures springing from lucrative intellectual property (Marvel comics in this case) “decisions are being made by committees, and art does not do well when it’s made by committee”.
“Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms. My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they’re not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out BS. Even if films start to be made with AI, humans aren’t going to want to see those.”
Superhero Ending
The performer added that she is unlikely to get entangled in another Madame Web-esque project: “I had never done anything like it before. I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now.”
Johnson previously spoke about her complicated relationship with the Fifty Shades trilogy, and she shared similar feelings regarding her latest movie. “Sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something and it’s one thing, and then as you’re making it, it becomes a completely different thing, and you’re like, Wait, what?” she says. “But it was a real learning experience, and of course, it’s not nice to be a part of something that’s ripped to shreds, but I can’t say that I don’t understand.”
She has hinted at behind-the-scenes discord, revealing in one interview that “drastic changes” were made to the script and joking on Saturday Night Live it was “kind of like if AI generated your boyfriend’s perfect movie”. Her costar Sydney Sweeney also participated in the roasting, saying in her SNL episode: “You might have seen me in Anyone but You or Euphoria. You definitely did not see me in Madame Web!”
Positive Trajectory
Despite the web of negativity, Johnson has taken the experience in her stride, using it as a learning opportunity as she continues to navigate her career. Her candid reflections offer a refreshingly honest perspective on the realities of working on a high-profile, studio-driven project.
Dakota Johnson’s journey from the daughter of Hollywood royalty to a breakout star in her own right is a testament to her talent, resilience and unwavering determination. Through her diverse and acclaimed performances, her entrepreneurial ventures and her advocacy work, she has reached a unique and inspiring place in the entertainment industry. Her story serves as a shining example of the power of talent, tenacity and a willingness to challenge the status quo.