Dakota Johnson is an actress whose career trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. Known for her remarkable versatility, she has moved beyond the confines of her early breakout role to explore a wide range of characters that showcase her ability to navigate complex, multi-dimensional personalities. Whether in romantic dramas, psychological thrillers, or deeply emotional stories, Dakota Johnson’s performances have proven her depth and adaptability as an actress. This article takes a closer look at the evolution of Dakota Johnson’s career, particularly focusing on the most nuanced and challenging roles she has tackled throughout her career, and examining what sets these performances apart.
The Transformation from Anastasia Steele to Multiple Characters
For many, Dakota Johnson’s rise to fame began with her portrayal of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades series. The character, who begins as a shy, introverted college student, undergoes a transformation throughout the series, and this evolution gave Johnson an opportunity to showcase a range of emotions—vulnerability, passion, strength, and empowerment. While Anastasia Steele was not a character as intricately layered as some of Johnson’s later roles, the transformation she underwent provided a solid foundation for Johnson to flex her acting muscles.
In the Fifty Shades franchise, Anastasia begins as someone who is unsure of her own desires, unsure of how to navigate a complex and intense relationship with Christian Grey. But as the series progresses, Johnson’s performance expands, portraying a character who grows into her own power, both in her personal life and in her professional career. She navigates the complexities of a sometimes toxic and often complicated romance, and through her portrayal, Johnson shows an understated but strong-willed woman finding her voice.
However, it is in the roles that followed Fifty Shades where Johnson’s true depth as an actress began to shine. The foundation laid in this early part of her career gave her the confidence to take on more difficult, multi-faceted roles that would test her as an artist and expand her repertoire.
The Striking Performance in The Lost Daughter
Among the standout performances in Dakota Johnson’s career to date, her role as Nina in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter is often hailed as a breakthrough. The film, which revolves around the complex themes of motherhood, guilt, and self-identity, is a character study of Nina, a woman grappling with the harsh realities of raising children while dealing with the emotional weight of her own past.
As Nina, Johnson demonstrates a profound understanding of the character’s emotional turmoil. She is neither wholly sympathetic nor entirely unlikeable, and that balance is crucial in her portrayal. Nina is a woman burdened with guilt, who is at once desperate to escape the clutches of her responsibilities and yet paradoxically feels a need to stay tethered to her family. Johnson’s nuanced performance highlights her ability to show internal conflict with subtlety and grace. The moments where Nina’s vulnerability and fragility shine through, particularly in her interactions with Olivia Colman’s character, Leda, are a testament to Johnson’s emotional depth as an actress.
The character’s complexities—her struggle with past trauma, her ambivalence about motherhood, and her uneasy relationship with Leda—are conveyed through Johnson’s remarkable restraint. There are no overt outbursts or dramatic expressions of grief or anger; instead, Johnson relies on quiet moments of reflection and vulnerability to communicate Nina’s internal struggles. It is a powerful, understated performance that marks a significant leap for Johnson as an actress and establishes her as a formidable talent in the world of dramatic cinema.
Exploring the Complexities of Suspiria
In Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Suspiria, Dakota Johnson takes on the role of Susie Bannion, a young dancer who arrives at a prestigious dance academy in Berlin, only to become entangled in a supernatural conspiracy. The film, a surreal and psychological horror, explores themes of power, control, and the transformation of identity, and Johnson’s performance as Susie is chilling, enigmatic, and deeply compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of Johnson’s portrayal of Susie is her ability to embody both innocence and power. Susie is a character who, at first, seems like the perfect innocent girl—a newcomer to the academy, overwhelmed by the strange atmosphere. Yet as the story progresses, Susie reveals a much darker side. The film delves into the idea of control, as Susie gradually discovers the sinister forces at play within the academy and begins to tap into a power she never knew she possessed.
Johnson’s performance in Suspiria is one of her most enigmatic. She portrays a character who is caught in a web of psychological and supernatural horrors, and the internal transformation Susie undergoes is both subtle and disturbing. Johnson’s portrayal of Susie’s growing awareness of the malevolent forces around her is simultaneously graceful and eerie, creating a chilling sense of unease. It’s a role that demands both physicality and emotional range, and Johnson rises to the challenge, showing her ability to hold the audience’s attention through a mix of vulnerability, fear, and growing power.
The way she conveys Susie’s internal journey—her grappling with identity and transformation—is a masterclass in subtlety. As the character becomes more attuned to the dark powers at work in the academy, Johnson imbues her with a quiet yet palpable intensity, which ultimately makes Susie’s evolution into something more sinister all the more captivating.
Her Role in Cha Cha Real Smooth as a Vulnerable Yet Empowered Figure
Another standout performance by Dakota Johnson comes in the form of Cha Cha Real Smooth, an indie comedy-drama directed by Cooper Raiff. In this film, Johnson plays Domino, a woman who is a mother, a daughter, and a woman coming to terms with her own desires. Domino’s character is complex, vulnerable, and at times unsure of herself, yet she also demonstrates a remarkable sense of empowerment. Johnson’s ability to depict vulnerability alongside strength is one of the key elements that makes her portrayal of Domino so captivating.
In Cha Cha Real Smooth, Domino is both a love interest and a woman with her own life, struggles, and complexities. The film explores her relationship with the protagonist, Andrew (played by Cooper Raiff), who is a young man figuring out his place in the world. Through their evolving connection, Johnson’s character allows the audience to see how a woman can navigate her personal desires and responsibilities simultaneously, balancing the demands of motherhood with the yearning for her own independence and emotional fulfillment.
What makes Johnson’s portrayal so effective is her ability to play these moments of vulnerability without resorting to melodrama. Domino is a character who is emotionally raw but never overtly emotional. Johnson’s quiet, restrained performance allows the complexities of Domino’s character to come through in a way that feels natural and authentic, making her journey of self-discovery both relatable and inspiring.
Her Breakthrough in A Bigger Splash
One of the roles that truly showed Dakota Johnson’s ability to stretch as an actress was in A Bigger Splash, the 2015 psychological drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. Johnson plays Penelope, a free-spirited young woman who arrives on a remote Italian island with her father and his lover, throwing their tranquil vacation into chaos. The character of Penelope is unpredictable, playful, and yet hiding deep emotional scars, and Johnson’s performance strikes the perfect balance between wild energy and quiet insecurity.
Penelope is a character who seems carefree and impulsive, but there is a hidden depth beneath her exterior. Johnson expertly conveys this duality, showcasing a character who is both emotionally volatile and deeply vulnerable. Her chemistry with the film’s other stars, including Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, is palpable, and she adds an exciting layer of unpredictability to the film. Johnson’s ability to portray a character who is at once carefree and emotionally fragile speaks to her growing range as an actress, cementing her status as a rising star in Hollywood.
Conclusion
Dakota Johnson’s career has been marked by an impressive range of roles that have allowed her to explore a wide array of characters, each one more nuanced and challenging than the last. From the role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades series to her transformative performances in The Lost Daughter, Suspiria, and Cha Cha Real Smooth, Johnson has continually proven that she is an actress who is not afraid to tackle complex, multi-dimensional roles.
What makes Johnson such a compelling actress is her ability to bring depth to each of her characters. Whether portraying a woman struggling with guilt and motherhood, a dancer caught in a supernatural conspiracy, or a vulnerable yet empowered figure navigating relationships, Dakota Johnson has consistently delivered performances that captivate and challenge audiences. With each role, she further solidifies her place as one of the most skilled and versatile actresses of her generation.
