Jennifer Lawrence’s Most Traumatizing Scene Ever—Why She’ll Never Do It Again

Jennifer Lawrence is no stranger to challenging roles. From the gritty and intense Winter’s Bone to the heart-pounding Hunger Games franchise, the actress has always embraced roles that demand physical and emotional depth. However, there’s one scene that left Lawrence so disturbed that she has made it clear she will never take on anything like it again. That scene, which occurred in Darren Aronofsky’s 2017 psychological horror Mother!, continues to haunt her to this day.

Mother! marked a significant departure from the roles Lawrence was used to, with the film delving into disturbing territory that explored themes of domesticity, parenthood, and spirituality. The movie itself became a polarizing force in the film industry, with some praising its boldness and others criticizing its nightmarish and chaotic storyline. Regardless of where one falls on the spectrum, there’s no question that the film’s climax left an indelible mark on Lawrence.

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Lawrence opened up about the scene that traumatized her, explaining that it was the moment her character wakes up to a horrifying surprise and rushes downstairs. “It was the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” she said, recalling the emotional toll the scene took on her. “It was awful, and I don’t know if I would ever do such a movie again.” The scene in question—where Lawrence’s character finds a group of strangers in her home who pass around her newborn infant before ultimately killing it and eating it—was as unsettling as it was shocking.

The climax of Mother! is undeniably one of the most disturbing scenes in recent cinematic history. It was a bold and grotesque way to end the film, and it left many viewers reeling. For Lawrence, the scene was not just difficult to film, but it was an experience she has no interest in repeating. “I don’t think I would ever do such a movie again,” she said, making it clear that the trauma of filming that scene left a lasting impression.

While Mother! was a critical conversation starter and a brave departure for Lawrence, the actress is now firm in her resolve to never return to that kind of unsettling material. After the experience, she has taken a more cautious approach to her roles, focusing on projects that align with her values and interests. Given her widespread success and her ability to choose roles on her terms, it seems unlikely that Lawrence will ever find herself in a similar situation again.

Ultimately, Mother! remains a one-time experience for the Oscar-winning actress, and Lawrence’s reflection on the scene underscores the emotional and psychological toll that such a harrowing role can have. For viewers, it serves as a reminder of the dark side of filmmaking, where even the most talented actors can be pushed to their limits in the pursuit of art.