The Awful Movie That Gave Scarlett Johansson Her First Role—And Why It’s a Total Disaster

Before Scarlett Johansson became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, her journey began in a rather unconventional film—one that quickly became known as a box office disaster. North, a 1994 film directed by Rob Reiner, is widely regarded as one of the most perplexing and painfully awkward movies ever made. Despite featuring a star-studded cast, including Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Kathy Bates, North bombed spectacularly at the box office and remains a cringe-worthy example of misguided filmmaking. In the midst of this mess, Johansson made her acting debut at the tender age of 9.

A Box Office Bomb and Critical Disaster

Released with high expectations and a hefty $40 million budget, North grossed just over $7 million in the U.S. and barely made more internationally. It quickly became one of those movies that critics didn’t just pan—they eviscerated it. Roger Ebert’s infamous review of the film questioned its very existence, calling it one of the most unpleasant and artificial experiences he’d had at the movies. His criticism was particularly harsh, describing the film as “soulless slop,” devoid of any real entertainment value.

The film centers around Elijah Wood’s titular character, North, a young boy who feels neglected by his wealthy parents. After a bizarre encounter with a man in a pink Easter Bunny suit (played by Bruce Willis), North decides to leave his parents and search for new ones who would be more loving and attentive. What should have been a simple, heartfelt story about family and belonging quickly devolves into a series of painful, cringe-worthy scenes punctuated by unfunny humor and cloying sentimentality.

Despite a cast packed with talented actors, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jon Lovitz, North failed to deliver on any level, offering a baffling directorial effort from Reiner, who had previously helmed successful films like A Few Good Men and Misery. Instead, North was an anomaly, a movie that defied expectations and became an unforgettable flop.

Scarlett Johansson’s Debut in a Misguided Film

Amid this chaos, North also marked the debut of a very young Scarlett Johansson. She played a minor role as part of the film’s extensive cast, yet her performance stood out even in such an incoherent movie. Johansson’s acting skills, even at the age of nine, hinted at the future stardom she would eventually achieve. However, in a film that felt like a bizarre mishmash of awkward comedy and misplaced sentimentality, even her talents couldn’t save the movie.

North is remembered as one of the oddest films of the 1990s, and it certainly wasn’t a promising start for Johansson’s acting career. However, it is now a quirky footnote in her journey to becoming an international icon, showing just how far she has come since her first film appearance. What North lacks in quality, it has in sheer oddity, and Johansson’s role, though small, is part of that strange legacy.

The Unfortunate Premise and Direction

The premise of North sounds harmless enough: a young boy, disillusioned with his parents, sets off on a quest to find more suitable ones. However, the execution is deeply flawed. Instead of exploring the emotional depths of a child’s confusion and desire for love, the film dives headfirst into uncomfortable, mean-spirited humor. Willis’s character, appearing in various disguises (including a pink bunny suit), is meant to provide comfort and guidance for North, but instead of bringing levity to the story, his presence only adds to the film’s surreal and off-putting vibe.

The film’s attempts at humor and sentimentality fall flat at every turn. Instead of evoking empathy or laughter, North only raises questions about what went wrong in its development. From the awkward performances to the disjointed script, it’s clear that no amount of star power could salvage this trainwreck of a film.

A Flop That Defined Its Era

Despite its catastrophic failure, North has earned a certain level of infamy over the years. It’s one of those movies that has become a part of pop culture’s so-bad-it’s-good category, where viewers can’t help but watch in disbelief at how such a high-profile production went so terribly wrong. For Scarlett Johansson, however, the film remains a curious early step in her career, one that is now largely overshadowed by her later successes in films like Lost in Translation, The Avengers, and Marriage Story.

North will likely always be remembered as a bizarre misfire, but it serves as a reminder that even the most promising talents can find themselves in less-than-ideal cinematic circumstances. In the case of Johansson, it was simply an odd beginning to what would become an extraordinary career.