Dakota Johnson Talks About Her Directorial Debut ‘Loser Baby’
Dakota Johnson recently made her directorial debut with ‘Loser Baby’, which is set to premiere at a major film festival. ‘The Madame Web’ star shared her experience as a first-time director, revealing that the process felt “incredibly natural and intuitive” for her.
Loser Baby follows Talia, a queer woman navigating her relationships as her friends’ views on commitment evolve. Johnson, known for her roles in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and ‘Persuasion’, hinted at her future as a director, stating she is “open to making more things,” though she acknowledges she still has much to learn.
Image Courtesy: Variety
While she feels uncertain about her readiness to take on more directing projects immediately, Johnson admitted that her mind could change at any moment, leaving her future in the director’s chair open.
The film, led by actress Thalia Bernstein, highlights Talia’s concerns about her long-term relationship, a story that climaxes during a birthday party. Bernstein, who also wrote the script, drew from personal experiences, expressing a desire to see more authentic representation of long-term queer relationships on screen.
She aimed to showcase the many ways people can navigate love and commitment. Johnson, meanwhile, fostered a creative and collaborative atmosphere on set, encouraging her actors to improvise, despite the film having a structured script.
This approach helped Johnson push her actors beyond the script, bringing extra depth to each scene. It allowed for more nuanced performances throughout the film.
-Sushmita Sarkar