Scarlett Johansson’s Most Nightmarish Moment: Booed at Venice for Under the Skin

Scarlett Johansson faced one of the most challenging moments of her career during the 2013 Venice International Film Festival premiere of Under the Skin. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, the film casts Johansson as an alien seductress roaming the Scottish Highlands, preying on unsuspecting men. Its unconventional narrative and unsettling atmosphere sparked a polarized reaction that left a lasting mark on the actress.

Festival director Alberto Barbera described the screening as “one of the worst screenings I’ve attended,” noting it was the only film he’d ever seen booed at Venice. Johansson, present at the premiere, was visibly shaken by the reaction, recalling the experience as feeling “super-exposed.” She was struck by the simultaneous cheering and booing from the audience, an intense mix that underscored the film’s provocative nature.

Despite the initial shock, director Jonathan Glazer embraced the divided response as a sign of the film’s powerful impact, finding the mixed emotions exhilarating rather than discouraging.

Over time, Under the Skin has been reevaluated and praised as a daring, haunting masterpiece of 2010s cinema. Critics and cinephiles alike now celebrate Johansson’s bold performance and the film’s eerie aesthetic, earning it a devoted cult following and a place on numerous best-of-the-decade lists.

This nightmarish festival experience ultimately highlighted Johansson’s fearless approach to her craft. Her willingness to take risks and endure harsh criticism has only strengthened her reputation as a versatile and courageous performer, unafraid to push cinematic boundaries.