Scarlett Johansson talks about directorial debut in latest interview
She says script was "a little gem" and resonated with her immediately
May 21, 2025
Scarlett Johansson hopes her directorial debut "Eleanor the Great" will challenge audiences to reconsider their perspectives on forgiveness and empathy
Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, she said, "It seems to be a theme in today's world that we're just very quick to judge and kind of cement our feelings about someone or some event." "It's limiting."
The news agency reported that "Eleanor the Great" is competing in the second-tier 'Un Certain Regard' category at Cannes.
The "Black Widow" star's transition to directing was not planned but came at what she said was the right time.
Talking about the script, she said it was "a little gem" and resonated with her immediately.
This year's 'Un Certain Regard' category is particularly strong and will pit "Eleanor the Great" against debut films from fellow actors Harris Dickinson and Kristen Stewart, among others.
Critics, however, were tough.
The Guardian gave the film two out of five stars for seriously misjudging the seriousness of the story's premise, while Variety, called the movie, which received a five-minute ovation at its premiere, an unconvincing crowd-pleaser.
