In Hollywood, lineage often carries weight, and Dakota Johnson, born into cinematic royalty, was no exception. The daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and the granddaughter of screen legend Tippi Hedren, Johnson was introduced to the entertainment world early. Though her family’s influence may have sparked initial interest, Dakota’s rise in Hollywood was very much her own journey—a journey that took off long before her breakthrough in Fifty Shades of Grey. However, for years before that defining moment, Dakota built her career on quiet perseverance and a string of smaller roles, gradually gaining experience and industry respect.

One of her first on-screen appearances was a brief but memorable role in The Social Network (2010), where she portrayed a Stanford student who has a fleeting encounter with Justin Timberlake’s Sean Parker. Though small, it was a pivotal step. The film’s critical acclaim exposed her to an audience that might not have otherwise noticed her talents. This moment marked the beginning of a series of supporting roles that allowed Dakota to explore various genres and character dynamics, from romantic comedies to independent films.

Following The Social Network, Johnson took on parts in indie dramas like Beastly (2011) and Goats (2012), showcasing her versatility. But it was her turn in Ben and Kate (2012-2013), a short-lived Fox sitcom, where her comedic timing started to garner real attention. Though the show was canceled after just one season, her portrayal of Kate Fox, a single mother dealing with her quirky brother, was heartwarming and subtly hilarious. It was evident to many that she had the chops to handle more significant, emotionally complex roles.

The Fifty Shades of Grey Phenomenon

Then came Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), the role that would forever mark a shift in Johnson’s career. Stepping into the shoes of Anastasia Steele, a timid college student entangled in a dominant-submissive relationship with a wealthy businessman, Dakota was suddenly thrust into global stardom. The film, adapted from E.L. James’s best-selling erotic romance novel, became a cultural phenomenon and commercial juggernaut. Dakota’s nuanced performance amidst the movie’s high-profile buzz helped her stand out—grounding Anastasia’s innocence and vulnerability amidst the film’s heavy-handed eroticism.

Yet, Fifty Shades was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it granted Dakota a level of fame that few actors achieve in a lifetime, but it also pigeonholed her to some extent. Anastasia Steele became a defining role, one that was hard for audiences to separate from her real-life persona. But Dakota, determined not to let the shadow of Fifty Shades define her career, strategically pivoted to diverse roles that showcased her ability to handle both humor and emotional depth.

An Overview of How to Be Single

Enter How to Be Single (2016), a romantic comedy-drama that gave Dakota Johnson the perfect vehicle to expand her range. Directed by Christian Ditter and based on the novel by Liz Tuccillo, the film centers around the lives of four women navigating love, life, and independence in New York City. The film offers a fresh take on the modern single woman, eschewing tired clichés about lonely hearts and instead focusing on the importance of self-discovery and independence in an urban setting.

At its core, How to Be Single is about relationships—not just romantic ones, but the relationships we cultivate with ourselves. It follows Alice (Dakota Johnson), who after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, embarks on a journey of self-exploration. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters who each have their own approach to singlehood. Rebel Wilson plays her party-loving co-worker, Robin, who sees the single life as an unending series of one-night stands. Alison Brie plays Lucy, who meticulously tracks every potential romantic prospect through a sophisticated algorithm, and Leslie Mann portrays Alice’s older sister Meg, a successful doctor who unexpectedly decides she wants a baby.

What sets How to Be Single apart is its tone—a blend of humor, heart, and introspective moments. While the film leans heavily on comedy, thanks in no small part to Rebel Wilson’s comedic flair, it also takes a more heartfelt approach to the ups and downs of single life. It doesn’t offer a neat, romanticized version of life as a single woman. Instead, it embraces the messiness, confusion, and eventual clarity that comes from learning to be alone.

Dakota’s Role as Alice

At the heart of this ensemble cast is Dakota Johnson’s Alice. In many ways, Alice is a character that is both relatable and aspirational. She starts the film unsure of who she is outside of her long-term relationship and decides to hit pause on romance to focus on her own personal growth. It’s a universal theme, one that resonates particularly with younger audiences—many of whom are grappling with similar challenges of balancing love, independence, and career in today’s world.

Dakota’s portrayal of Alice is disarmingly authentic. She brings a quiet strength to the role, allowing audiences to see both Alice’s vulnerability and her resilience. In the beginning, Alice is a bit lost—unsure of how to handle life without a boyfriend, she stumbles through awkward dating experiences and grapples with feelings of loneliness. But as the film progresses, we watch Alice evolve. She learns that being single isn’t something to be fixed or avoided; rather, it’s an opportunity to learn about herself and what she truly wants in life. By the end of the film, Alice’s arc isn’t defined by whether or not she ends up in a relationship, but rather by the fact that she has come into her own as an independent, self-assured woman.

This portrayal of Alice struck a chord with many viewers, especially women. Johnson’s ability to portray both the humor and heartache of single life felt refreshingly real in a genre often marked by grand romantic gestures and predictable happy endings. Alice’s journey wasn’t about finding “the one” but about finding herself, and in that sense, Dakota’s performance elevated the film from a simple rom-com to something much more personal and poignant.

Impact on Dakota Johnson’s Career

If Fifty Shades of Grey put Dakota Johnson on the map, How to Be Single solidified her standing as a versatile actress capable of handling both drama and comedy. The film allowed her to shed some of the more intense associations with the Fifty Shades franchise, showcasing her natural charm, comedic timing, and emotional depth. Critics praised her performance, noting that Dakota brought a level of sincerity and relatability to Alice that made her journey all the more engaging.

What’s particularly notable is how How to Be Single opened the door for Dakota to take on a broader range of roles. After the film, she continued to diversify her acting portfolio, taking on projects like A Bigger Splash (2015), where she played a sensual and enigmatic character opposite Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes. She also explored more unconventional roles in films like Suspiria (2018) and The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), where she further proved her ability to command the screen in both leading and supporting roles.

In many ways, How to Be Single marked the beginning of Dakota’s second act in Hollywood—a career no longer defined by one franchise but by a diverse body of work that demonstrated her range and capability.

Broader Impact of the Film

Beyond its influence on Dakota Johnson’s career, How to Be Single left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of romantic comedies. In an era where women were increasingly seeking representation in media that reflected their real-life experiences, the film’s portrayal of singlehood resonated deeply. It acknowledged that being single wasn’t something to be ashamed of or to rush out of; rather, it could be a period of growth, self-discovery, and even empowerment.

For many women, the film served as a refreshing counter-narrative to the traditional romantic comedy formula. Instead of centering on the pursuit of “happily ever after” with a romantic partner, How to Be Single celebrated the importance of independence and finding happiness within oneself. This message struck a chord with audiences, particularly millennials, who are increasingly navigating a world where marriage and long-term relationships are happening later in life.

The film also helped broaden Dakota Johnson’s fanbase. For audiences who had previously known her only as Anastasia Steele, How to Be Single offered a glimpse into her comedic talent and emotional versatility. In doing so, it connected her to a new demographic of fans who appreciated her ability to play more grounded, relatable characters.

Ultimately, How to Be Single is more than just a lighthearted romantic comedy—it’s a film that captures the complexities of modern relationships and the importance of self-reliance. And for Dakota Johnson, it marked a pivotal moment in her career, one that showcased her as a talented, multifaceted actress capable of leading her own path in Hollywood.