Dakota Johnson reacts to Madame Web Razzie win with candid remarks and newfound support from fellow actress Sandra Bullock, following her recognition as Worst Actress at the 2024 Razzies. The aftermath unfolded on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, where Johnson shared her emotions, the backstory of the critically panned film, and how a surprising message from Bullock turned the sting of failure into camaraderie between Oscar winners and Razzie recipients.
Madame Web’s Tumultuous Path and Johnson’s Surprising Award
Once positioned as a potential game-changer in superhero cinema, Madame Web landed amongst the most notably derided films in recent Hollywood memory. The movie, which starred Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a New York paramedic gifted with psychic abilities, struggled to resonate with critics and audiences, ultimately collecting the Razzie titles for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and securing the Worst Actress award for Johnson.
Despite early hopes for an inventive origin story, the final product struck viewers and critics as confused and mishandled, failing to deliver coherence amidst apparent studio intervention. Its unimpressive box office performance—just $43 million domestically—and an abysmal 11% Rotten Tomatoes rating showcased its quick descent into internet mockery and cinematic infamy.
Johnson Anticipates a Tough Reception
With the wave of criticism, disappointment, and even ridicule, Johnson’s reaction has been marked by honesty and a touch of defiance. On Good Hang, she revealed her surprise at being named Worst Actress and her conflicted feelings about the experience and its aftermath.
Sandra Bullock’s Message of Solidarity and “Razzie Club” Brunch Proposal
The narrative took a turn when Sandra Bullock, herself a Razzie and Oscar winner, reached out to Johnson with a supportive voice note after the Razzie announcement. Bullock’s own journey in 2010 is noteworthy—she was declared Worst Actress for All About Steve, only to collect the Academy Award days later for The Blind Side.
“I recently actually exchanged texts — well, I got a voice note — from Sandra Bullock, because I don’t know if you know, but I won the Razzie for Worst Actress. There’s a lot of good people who have won that… but Sandra Bullock sent me a voice note, being like ‘I heard you are in the Razzie club and we should have brunch, we should have a monthly brunch.’ Because I guess she won that the year that she won the Oscar as well. It was in the same year, I think.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Johnson was deeply moved by Bullock’s gesture, highlighting the emotional resonance such outreach has among those who have faced public scrutiny and criticism in Hollywood.
“I freaked out getting this message from her because she’s so iconic to me, as like a movie star. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was just crazy.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Behind the Scenes: Studio Influence and Creative Frustration
Beyond the public reaction, Johnson opened up about the internal complexities that plagued Madame Web’s production. She explained on the podcast how external influences and committee-driven decisions eroded the vision of the film, leaving little space for authentic artistic expression. Johnson, closely linked to her role and the trajectory of the movie, reflected overtly on the loss of creative autonomy.
“There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.
“And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Her commentary extended to the emotional turbulence inherent in large-scale movie projects, especially when those projects are reshaped by forces beyond an artist’s control.
“The final cut of Madame Web was a completely different script than what I attached to. That is a wild thing to like a crazy journey to go on as an artist because you’re like, ‘Okay, I’m doing something like with my actual body and my actual mind and my heart, my emotions.
“I’m like using things. And it’s just being taken and f*cked with.’ But you can’t do anything about it. Like, what am I gonna do? F*cking cry about Madame Web? No.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Looking Ahead: Significance for Artists and the Industry
The Madame Web saga reflects the ongoing tension between creativity and studio mandates within the film industry, raising questions about how much control actors and artists retain once a film is underway. Johnson’s open confrontation of her Razzie win, coupled with Sandra Bullock’s message, shows that even in Hollywood’s harshest moments, solidarity and resilience endure.
The interplay between disappointment, public perception, and peer support is likely to influence how artists address setbacks more openly in the future. As the conversation around Madame Web continues, it serves as a cautionary tale for major studios and a testament to the emotional realities faced by those in front of the camera.
