Why Jennifer Lawrence Calls ‘Passengers’ a ‘Huge Mistake’ – The Truth Behind Her Regret
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Jennifer Lawrence’s career has been defined by standout successes — from her breakout role in Winter’s Bone to blockbuster domination in The Hunger Games series and an Oscar-winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook. But even Hollywood’s brightest stars have moments they look back on with regret. For Lawrence, that moment came with Passengers (2016), the sci-fi romance she later admitted she should have never signed onto.
In an interview with the New York Times, reported by Variety, Lawrence confessed her deep misgivings about the project, revealing that even global superstar Adele had warned her against it. “Passengers, I guess. Adele told me not to do it! She was like, ‘I feel like space movies are the new vampire movies.’ I should have listened to her,” Lawrence said. The regret ran deep — not because the movie was a total commercial failure (it earned $303 million worldwide), but because it failed to connect critically and artistically, scoring just 30% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Passengers, co-starring Chris Pratt, was heavily criticized for its storyline, particularly its troubling ethical dynamics. Lawrence later reflected that during that period — which also included roles in Red Sparrow and Dark Phoenix — she felt creatively disconnected and overwhelmed, as discussed in her candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Although Lawrence has joked about not fully understanding films like Mother! (2017), Passengers remains the project she most openly regrets — not because she didn’t grasp it, but because she felt the warning signs were there from the start. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from one of Hollywood’s most relatable stars and a reminder that even the best instincts sometimes go ignored.
For Lawrence, the “mistake” of Passengers wasn’t just about a misstep in filmography; it marked a turning point in how she chose her future roles — with greater intention, creativity, and, above all, trust in her gut (and maybe Adele’s too).
