When it comes to certain actors, sometimes you think of the roles that made them famous. For Harrison Ford, instantly Han Solo comes to mind. For Daniel Radcliffe, I think of Harry Potter and the crazy saga that he starred in. When it comes to Dakota Johnson, though, I always think of Fifty Shades of Grey. And, while it was never my particular favorite film, I always could admire Johnson for her acting skills, and for other roles she has had in the past.
Just because she is known for the popular explicit series, though, doesn’t mean that she hasn’t done some other awesome films. From comedies like 21 Jump Street to horrors like Wounds, Johnson has some serious range and it’s a shame that people don’t talk about it more. But that’s why this list exists, for us to talk about the best performances of Dakota Johnson, and where to watch them.
I feel like everyone in the world has heard about The Social Network at this point, considering it’s a fantastic movie. Even so, The Social Network is about the birth of Facebook and the early years of the youngest billionaire ever, Mark Zuckerberg. Businesses rise, friendships fall, and people get sued pretty consistently in this drama – all based on a true story.You might not believe it, but this was actually Johnson’s breakout role. While she had her film debut back in 1999 in Crazy in Alabama, this was the first time Hollywood got to see her skills, and while her role was minor, it was only the beginning of her career.
A classic comedy, The Five-Year Engagement is a great time for anyone to watch. It follows the lives of Tom and Violet, and the story of how their relationship becomes strained as their engagement goes on.
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While Johnson does have another minor role in this, she stands out among the others in the film, showing her staying power as an actress. And, who would have ever thought of her as a comedic actress really? It’s funny to see her in something so different.
Bit of a change in direction here, as Suspiria is a supernatural horror film following the story of a young woman who enrolls in a prestigious dance academy. It sounds normal until she finds out that it’s actually a coven, and the school is run by witches, which bring about threats that she never thought she would have to face.
If you’re into horror, this is the movie for you. Not only is Johnson the star of this film, but plenty of critics have gone on to say that the visual effects of the film were pretty great, too, something that is always essential for a good horror movie.
Another horror film on this list, Wounds mixes the genre with psychological terror to provide an intense thrill in a movie that is only available on streaming. A bartender in New Orleans begins to experience strange occurrences in his life after he brings home a phone left at his bar. Over time, the situation gets worse and worse.
One of the more recent entries on this list that features Johnson, she definitely shows that horror is something that she is not afraid of. While the first entry on this list that specialized in horror was good, this movie sort of takes it to another level and almost gets trippy after a while, but it doesn’t stall her. The plot can sometimes be confusing, but that’s usually what happens during a psychological thriller. Even so, Dakota Johnson still shines.
I’m always a fan of sleeper hits, and The Peanut Butter Falcon is the pure definition of that phrase. The film tells the story of a young boy with Down syndrome who escapes an assisted living facility and stumbles across a friendly fisherman. But, of course, not everything can go as planned, as a social worker is trying to track him down.
One thing that makes this film so great is that it was an independent film, but it received so much praise that it grossed over $23 million despite it not having a big release, which shows how amazing it is. Johnson’s performance was praised, and this was one of her first roles post-Fifty Shades of Grey. Not only is Johnson great in The Peanut Butter Falcon, but she is also joined by many stars who shine around her, and she has some great chemistry with, such as Shia LaBeouf and Jon Bernthal. It’s really worth the watch.
