Scarlett Johansson makes her horror debut with Mike Flanagan

© illustration by ai

Scarlett Johansson is making a move that surprised many fans: for the first time, the actor will take part in a classic horror film. Despite an expansive résumé, she has not yet starred in a project devoted entirely to the horror genre. Admirers often recall Under the Skin, where she played an alien predator, though that film leans more toward art-thriller than demonic tales. Now Johansson is ready for a full plunge into fear, and the decision is already being described as one of her most unexpected.

Writer-director Mike Flanagan, who is leading the project, said he was pleased with the collaboration. He noted that Johansson combines striking expressiveness with grounded realism, which helps her characters—from blockbuster roles to smaller genre pieces—feel vivid and convincing. He believes she is an ideal fit for the new role, even as the team keeps details of the film under wraps. It’s a pairing that feels exactly right.

Beyond horror, Johansson may also appear in another major project: talks are underway about her involvement in a new Rapunzel adaptation. For fans, that promises a busy stretch in her career.

It looks like several intriguing projects are on the way, and the real interest now is in which new facets she’ll reveal on screen.