Wes Anderson’s Favourite Marilyn Monroe Movies: “She’s This Most Vulnerable Kind of Talent”

Wes Anderson’s films are renowned for blending the charm of old Hollywood with a distinctly modern visual style, eccentric characters, and obsessive attention to detail. His latest feature, Asteroid City, pushes boundaries with its futuristic storyline and an alien voiced by Jeff Goldblum—Hollywood’s ultimate cosmic icon. Yet, amid this contemporary tapestry, Anderson draws inspiration from a classic figure: Marilyn Monroe.

Set in a 1955 desert town, Asteroid City weaves together a quirky ensemble whose lives intersect amid a strange series of events. Among them is Midge Campbell, a character partly inspired by Monroe’s iconic screen presence. Anderson praised Monroe as “this most vulnerable kind of talent where there’s something real happening in front of the camera.” He highlighted her depth, noting that while she never appeared on the New York stage, she ventured into the Actors Studio, striving to dig deeper beneath her glamorous exterior.

Monroe’s legacy is complex—her dazzling career was shadowed by the film industry’s darker undercurrents and her tragic death. Yet, her magnetic performances in classics like Some Like It Hot, All About Eve, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes continue to define an era of old Hollywood glamour. Anderson specifically singled out Some Like It Hot and The Prince and the Showgirl as his favorite Monroe films, praising director Billy Wilder’s unflinching commitment to capturing Monroe’s unique spirit, even amid backstage struggles.

Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Midge channels Monroe’s vulnerability, capturing a character suspended in melancholia and uncertainty. Through this lens, Anderson explores themes of grief and community, making Asteroid City perhaps his most timely and emotionally resonant film.

It may seem surprising that Anderson—known for his highly individualistic style—finds influence in Monroe’s work. Yet, just as Jeff Goldblum’s alien in the film reflects an outsider’s view of a strange system, Anderson himself operates as a cinematic “alien,” communicating through a unique language within the Hollywood landscape.

In embracing Monroe’s fragile brilliance, Anderson not only honors a legendary actress but also reveals the emotional core that continues to inspire his singular vision.