7 Scarlett Johansson movies that totally negate her Black Widow aura

Most folks immediately identify Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, the fierce, fearless Avenger from the Marvel movies. But there’s far more to Scarlett than high kicks and spy missions. She has found many roles that are the complete antithesis of Natasha Romanoff.

This article will explore seven films in which Scarlett completely sheds her Marvel character. These roles are softer, deeper, or totally unexpected. Whether she is portraying a lonely woman in a city she does not know or a compassionate mother during wartime, she shows remarkable range. Even as just the voice of an AI, she reveals new dimensions of her talents with every performance.

If you have only seen her as an Avenger, these films will serve to shock you and remind you why she is one of the most versatile actors working today.

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7 Scarlett Johansson movies that totally negate her Black Widow aura

1. Her (2013)

In the movie Her, Scarlett Johansson never appears on screen, as she only uses her voice as Samantha, an AI that is both intelligent and emotional. Her soft and warm voice gave the character life and made the character feel real. Scarlett was surprisingly not the first choice — she was brought in to replace another actress (Samantha Morton) during the movie edit and turned the film upside down. Her performance set a standard — AI voice comparisons are often drawn to Johansson’s.

The role is very much the opposite of Black Widow — there is no action, no fighting, and only connecting through voice and deep emotion. The role shows how Scarlett could affect audiences without ever being seen.

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2. Marriage Story (2019)

Scarlett plays Nicole, a woman experiencing a traumatic marriage — a very realistic situation in Marriage Story. There is no action, just straight emotions and authentic moments. Scarlett worked closely with the director and even based parts of her role on the reality of her life to make it as real as possible. The courtroom fight with Adam Driver became a viral moment because it was so raw. Scarlett gave an emotional portrayal and received an Oscar nomination.

This role portrays the range of her acting skills, far removed from the enigmatic, put-together Black Widow. In this film, Scarlett fought not with fists, but with emotion and dialogue.

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3. Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Scarlett plays Rosie in Jojo Rabbit. She is a loving and courageous mother living in Nazi Germany. Although she is hiding a Jewish girl in her house and raising her young son, who is in the Hitler Youth, Rosie is full of love, optimism, humor, and quiet strength. One of the most emotional moments is when she dances with only one shoe — a small gesture with so much implied meaning.

It is nothing like her Black Widow superhero persona. Instead of using weapons, Rosie uses kindness to fight. It is a character that leaves a lasting impression in that truly original story.

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4. Lost in Translation (2003)

In Lost in Translation, Scarlett Johansson plays Charlotte. Scarlett was only 18 at the time, and her calm and quiet performance impressed critics. The film had very little action or drama; rather, it featured soft looks, long stretches of silence, and a lot of contemplation.

Scarlett conveyed Charlotte's lost state by channeling her own jet lag and fatigue. Charlotte, of course, is nothing like her Black Widow persona. Charlotte is slow, emotional, and reflective. It was her first time showing she could lead a film with just her face and presence.

Scarlett’s performance felt believable, trustworthy, and relatable, even though there aren’t a lot of words or big moments.

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5. Under the Skin (2013)

In Under the Skin, Scarlett Johansson takes on a very odd and brave role as an alien who looks like a woman but has no sense of what human emotions are. There is hardly any dialogue, and she travels through real streets filmed with hidden cameras, interacting with real people who are unaware they are being filmed. There's no costumes, makeup, glamour, superhero energy — just mystery and silence.

Scarlett Johansson remains fully inside the character and shows that she isn’t afraid to take creative chances. This film clearly shows she can take on eerie, experimental, and downright unexpected character roles.

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6. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

Scarlett Johansson plays Griet, a quiet maid in painter Vermeer’s house in Girl with a Pearl Earring. Somewhere in the process, Scarlett Johansson almost stopped speaking. She speaks very little in the movie, and yet you feel every emotion on her face. There are no big action scenes, no loud drama — it is mostly soft glances and silent feelings. The film looks like a painting, and Scarlett Johansson fit seamlessly into its calm, serious tone.

She wore little makeup and relied on her expressions to animate Griet. In many ways, this role demonstrated she could shine while speaking hardly at all, simply by being fully present in the moment.

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7. Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Scarlett Johansson diverged from her serious action roles in Hail, Caesar! as DeeAnna Moran, a popular star of outlandish musicals. She even wears a bright mermaid costume for a large swimming routine that is absurd and flamboyant. DeeAnna is not coy and brooding like Black Widow, but loud, rambunctious, and totally carefree. Her character has a lot of attitude and quick wit, which allows Scarlett to showcase her comedic chops.

The role lets Scarlett step away from being a superhero and engage in some light-hearted fun — and she thoroughly enjoys every second.

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Scarlett Johansson has shown on many occasions that she can strive for more in her career. These seven films showcase her artistic range — emotional, quiet, strange, and funny. She really does not require a black suit and fighting sequences to sparkle. Whether she plays a heartbroken wife, a mysterious maid, or an intergalactic alien, Scarlett always brings something real and original.

These are films in which she demonstrates her talent and range. If you have only ever seen her as Black Widow, then these are the films that will make you see her in an entirely new and surprising manner.