Scarlett Johansson, an award-winning actress known for her versatility, has taken on a wide array of roles throughout her career. While she is best recognized for her performances in blockbuster films such as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she has also ventured into more challenging, thought-provoking, and at times, risqué movie roles. Let's dive into some of her most notable performances where she pushed boundaries in terms of both content and character portrayal.
In Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, Johansson plays Charlotte, a young woman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with an older man, played by Bill Murray, while in Tokyo. Though the film doesn't explicitly dive into sexual content, it does explore themes of loneliness, emotional vulnerability, and intimacy. The film's understated sensuality, including a scene where Johansson's character lounges in semi-transparent underwear, stirred discussions at the time. This movie marked one of her earlier ventures into more mature and nuanced roles.
Johansson's role in Woody Allen’s Match Point was one of her more daring performances. In this psychological thriller, she portrays Nola Rice, a struggling actress who engages in a passionate affair with a married man. The film includes intense love scenes, showcasing her character's volatile emotions and the moral dilemmas she faces. Nola is sensual, magnetic, and complex, and the movie plays with themes of lust, deceit, and power, marking it as one of Johansson’s risqué roles.
In The Other Boleyn Girl, Scarlett Johansson portrays Mary Boleyn, the sister of Anne Boleyn, in a film that delves into political intrigue, ambition, and seduction within the English court. The movie features a love triangle between Mary, her sister Anne (played by Natalie Portman), and King Henry VIII. While the historical drama isn't explicit in its portrayal of sex, the underlying themes of sexual politics and manipulation make Johansson's role one of subtle risqué undertones.
Another Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, sees Johansson playing Cristina, a free-spirited woman who enters into a complicated relationship with a painter (Javier Bardem) and his ex-wife (Penélope Cruz). The film explores themes of polyamory, sexual liberation, and fluid romantic entanglements. With its passionate love scenes and open exploration of non-traditional relationships, Johansson’s role was both sensuous and provocative.
One of her most daring roles came with Under the Skin, a science fiction film directed by Jonathan Glazer. Johansson plays an alien in human form who seduces men to harvest their bodies. The film is visually and thematically dark, with a surreal narrative that is both disturbing and compelling. Johansson appears nude in several scenes, a choice that helped to convey the alien nature of her character, stripped of human emotions and desires. Her portrayal of this character earned praise for its boldness and the vulnerability she displayed in such an unconventional role.
In Don Jon, directed by and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Johansson plays Barbara Sugarman, a woman who becomes romantically involved with a man addicted to pornography. The film tackles topics such as sexual obsession, media-driven fantasies, and relationships in the digital age. While Johansson’s character is not the one engaging in risqué behavior, her involvement in a film that so explicitly discusses modern-day sexual habits showcases her willingness to address provocative subject matter.
Although Johansson only lends her voice to Her, the film features some incredibly intimate and emotional scenes. She voices Samantha, an artificial intelligence that becomes romantically involved with a man, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The movie explores the boundaries of human connection and love in a digital world, and despite the lack of physical presence, Johansson’s performance was sensual and evocative, making the relationship between her AI character and Phoenix's human character feel real.
Scarlett Johansson has undoubtedly taken on a number of roles that could be considered risqué, either through explicit content or the challenging themes they present. Whether portraying characters in sexual power dynamics, alien creatures preying on humans, or individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, Johansson’s bold choices as an actress have allowed her to tackle provocative subjects with depth and sensitivity.
Her willingness to take risks has played a crucial role in shaping her career, helping her become one of the most respected and sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Whether in indie films or major blockbusters, Johansson continues to push boundaries, demonstrating her range and commitment to her craft.
