Dakota Johnson Admits She Doesn’t Remember Making ‘Madame Web’
While some films may fade from an actor’s memory, for Dakota Johnson, one particular project continues to be a source of humor. Years after its troubled release, the jokes surrounding ‘Madame Web’ remain fresh.
Currently promoting her upcoming horror film ‘Verity’ alongside Anne Hathaway, Johnson finds herself repeatedly asked about her infamous superhero role from a few years ago.
In a recent interview, when the topic of ‘Madame Web’ resurfaced, Johnson offered no new reflections. Instead, she simply stated that she doesn’t remember making the film, a remark that quickly gained traction online and sparked renewed discussions about her legendary non-answers regarding ‘Madame Web.’
This response aligns with a pattern Johnson has maintained since the film’s original 2024 release. During its initial press tour, she famously confessed on Magic FM that she hadn’t seen the movie, expressing uncertainty about when she would, and adding a vague “someday” while explaining that avoiding her own films is a form of self-care to prevent an existential crisis.
In a later interview with Bustle, she elaborated on her experience with the film. “It was definitely an experience for me to make that movie,” she shared. “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 also touched on the industry pressures that influenced the final product, noting how projects can change significantly from the time an actor signs on to when filming concludes. She acknowledged that the criticism directed at the film didn’t come as a surprise, recognizing why audiences reacted the way they did.
‘Madame Web’ follows Cassandra Webb, a New York paramedic who gains psychic abilities and uses them to protect three young women from a villain portrayed by Tahar Rahim. The film features a star-studded cast, including Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor, with S.J. Clarkson at the helm.
Despite its impressive cast, the film debuted to just $26.2 million over its six-day holiday weekend, marking the lowest opening for any movie in Sony’s Spider-Man universe and one of the weakest for any Marvel Comics adaptation. Currently, it holds a dismal 13% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews ranging from harsh to brutally honest.
What made the film’s rollout memorable wasn’t just the box office performance, but Johnson’s now-iconic press tour, which The Hollywood Reporter described as spiraling into “a tangled web of conspiracy theories and willingly misconstrued quotes.” Her deadpan responses, spontaneous humor, and overall detachment transformed her into an unexpected internet sensation during the film’s promotion.
Her web connects them all. 🕸 #MadameWeb is coming soon exclusively to movie theaters. pic.twitter.com/OzC1bf00ur
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) November 15, 2023
Even her ‘Madame Web’ co-star Sydney Sweeney joined in on the running joke, humorously noting during a ‘Saturday Night Live’ monologue that while audiences had seen her in other projects, they “definitely did not see me in Madame Web.”
Given the comedic value Johnson has derived from distancing herself from the film over the years, her latest comment seems less like a genuine memory lapse and more like a continuation of the humorous narrative that endeared her to fans during the press tour. Whether she truly forgot the movie or is simply keeping the joke alive, fans are clearly enjoying it.
With ‘Verity’ set to premiere on October 2, it’s likely Johnson will bring that same candid energy to her next promotional efforts, regardless of whether ‘Madame Web’ comes up again.
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