10 Scarlett Johansson performances that show she’s not afraid to take risks

Let’s face it - Scarlett Johansson could’ve cruised through Hollywood on sheer charm, good looks, and a Marvel paycheck. But that’s not who she is. From indie darlings to high-stakes blockbusters, voice roles to avant-garde sci-fi, Scarlett Johansson has spent her career dodging comfort zones like she’s weaving through an action scene directed by the Russo brothers.

Sure, many still associate her with the sleek, deadly Black Widow. And while Natasha Romanoff was iconic in her own right, limiting Scarlett to just one character is like ordering plain toast at a five-star restaurant - you're seriously missing out!

What makes Johansson fascinating isn’t just her A-list status; it’s her unrelenting desire to push boundaries. Whether it’s playing an operating system in love, shedding her Hollywood glam for a gritty indie flick, or voicing a guitar-shredding porcupine in Sing, she doesn’t play it safe, she doesn’t play it safe. So here’s a toast (not the plain kind) to 10 performances that prove Scarlett Johansson isn’t afraid to take risks, and why we’re better off because of it.

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10 Scarlett Johansson performances that show she’s not afraid to take risks

1) Under the Skin (2013)

If you’ve never watched Under the Skin, just know this: Scarlett Johansson drives around Scotland luring men into a black void of existential dread. Yeah, it’s as wild as it sounds! Directed by Jonathan Glazer, this surreal sci-fi horror film was a gamble on every level. Scarlett plays an alien with almost no dialogue and maximum ambiguity, relying entirely on eerie body language and intense stares. Even crazier? Many scenes were shot guerrilla-style with hidden cameras and unsuspecting locals. Scarlett Johansson, one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, voluntarily went full incognito for art’s sake.

The result is haunting, hypnotic, and unlike anything else in her filmography. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just challenge the actor - it dares the audience to interpret it. Risky? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%.

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2) Her (2013)

How do you make an audience fall in love with a character who never physically appears on screen? Easy - cast Scarlett Johansson! In Her, Johansson plays Samantha, a highly advanced AI operating system who becomes emotionally involved with Joaquin Phoenix’s lonely writer. Originally voiced by Samantha Morton during filming, Johansson was brought in later to re-record all the dialogue. No chemistry reads, no scene partners, just her voice to convey the full spectrum of human emotion. And she nailed it.

This wasn’t just a voice role. This was an emotional performance that required empathy, humor, sensuality, and heartbreak - all without being seen. Johansson proved that her presence isn’t tied to her physicality. It’s in her voice, her timing, her soul. Talk about a bold flex!

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3) Marriage Story (2019)

This one could’ve gone the safe Oscar-bait route. Instead, Marriage Story slices open the emotional anatomy of a divorce and invites you to bleed along with it. Johansson’s turn as Nicole, a former actress trying to rediscover herself outside of a crumbling marriage, is raw, nuanced, and painfully real. There's a monologue in her lawyer’s office that deserves to be studied in acting schools forever. It's not flashy; it’s honest.

Pairing up with Adam Driver under Noah Baumbach’s direction, Johansson strips away any trace of glamor. No makeup. No superhero landing. Just a woman at a crossroads, trying to hold on to her identity. It’s a high-wire performance that walks the line between anger and vulnerability, making it one of her most daringly human roles.

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4) Lucy (2014)

Now this is where things get delightfully bonkers! In Lucy, Johansson plays a woman who inadvertently gains super-intelligence after a drug leak in her abdomen (yes, you read that correctly). The premise is pure sci-fi cheese, but Johansson treats it like Shakespeare.

As Lucy evolves from an average college student to a transcendent being capable of manipulating time and space, Johansson grounds the film with stoic intensity. Sure, some of the science is laughable, but her performance never is. She sells it, fully committed to the madness. Taking on an absurdly cerebral role in an action-heavy film was a gamble. But Johansson leaned in, proving she’s not afraid to dive headfirst into the weird.

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5) Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Scarlett Johansson plays a German mother in a comedy about a kid whose imaginary friend is Hitler, directed by Taika Waititi. Sounds like a PR disaster waiting to happen, right? Wrong. In Jojo Rabbit, Johansson plays Rosie, a tender, whimsical, and quietly rebellious mom trying to raise her son in Nazi Germany without losing her humanity - or his. It’s a performance full of charm and heart, balancing warmth with devastation.

It takes serious guts to play a character in a satire that’s one poorly judged scene away from being offensive. But Johansson’s Rosie is the soul of the film. She gives Jojo Rabbit its conscience - and some of its biggest laughs. That’s a tough needle to thread, and she does it flawlessly.

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6) Don Jon (2013)

Before Barbie, Don Jon was already dissecting gender stereotypes and unrealistic expectations, just through the lens of pornography addiction and Jersey accents. In Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut, Johansson plays Barbara Sugarman, a gum-snapping, rom-com-loving bombshell who becomes the love interest of Levitt’s pornography-obsessed character. On paper, she’s a cliché. On screen, she’s electric.

Johansson could’ve phoned in this role, but she leans into the satire. She’s unapologetically bold, bossy, and seductive. At times, even infuriating. But always real. Taking on a character that’s so overtly “fake” in a film about emotional authenticity? That’s a tightrope walk, and Scarlett pulls it off in heels!

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7) Ghost World (2001)

Way before the Marvel machine or Oscar nods, a young Scarlett Johansson gave us a glimpse of her offbeat instincts in this cult classic. In Ghost World, Johansson plays Rebecca, the quieter half of a cynical teen duo navigating post-high school limbo. While Thora Birch’s Enid gets most of the attention, Johansson’s subtle work as the grounded best friend adds depth and melancholy to the quirky coming-of-age tale.

Taking on such a subdued, awkward role as a teen actor, especially one with leading-lady potential, is a testament to Johansson’s early interest in character over stardom. It wasn’t flashy, but it was smart. And that risk aged like fine wine.

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8) Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

This is the film that made people sit up and say, “Wait, she’s got serious acting chops!” Playing Griet, a young maid who becomes the subject of Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting, Johansson carries the film with barely any dialogue. Her expression is in the movie. And the camera loves her, especially when she’s doing nothing but conveying longing and tension with her eyes.

In an age where big, loud performances often get all the praise, Johansson’s decision to do less here is bold. It’s a masterclass in restraint and internal emotion - rare for a 19-year-old actress. The risk? Being too quiet to be noticed. The reward? An unforgettable performance!

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9) Lost in Translation (2003)

A 17-year-old Scarlett Johansson paired with Bill Murray in a quiet, melancholic story about isolation in Tokyo? That alone is a risk. Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation thrives on mood and unspoken connection. As Charlotte, Johansson captures the ache of feeling untethered in a foreign place and in her own life. Her chemistry with Murray is unconventional, non-romantic, and entirely believable.

This could’ve gone sideways - awkward age gap, slow pacing, abstract narrative. But Johansson’s performance is mature beyond her years. She holds her own against a comedy legend in a story that’s more about vibes than plot. And somehow, she makes longing look effortless.

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10) Black Widow (2021)

Yes, it’s a Marvel movie. But Scarlett Johansson fought for this solo project for over a decade. Black Widow isn’t just a superhero flick; it’s a story about trauma, autonomy, and healing from abuse. Johansson anchors the film with emotional honesty, especially in scenes dealing with family and forced control. It’s darker and more grounded than many of its MCU siblings.

The risk? Doing a solo film after the character died in the timeline. But Johansson made sure Natasha got the sendoff she deserved. She wasn’t afraid to challenge the franchise that helped define her career. And in doing so, she redefined what a superhero movie could be.

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Scarlett Johansson doesn’t just take roles - she chooses them, often with the courage of someone who has nothing to lose and everything to say. Whether she’s voicing a computer or morphing into cosmic goo, she proves time and again that she’s not here to play it safe. And honestly? That’s why we keep watching!