Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of covert ops agent Zora Bennett in Jurassic Park Rebirth offers viewers a markedly different action lead than expected, channeling a distinct Bruce Willis-like swagger in the process. Released under the direction of Gareth Edwards, with screenplay input from original Jurassic Park writer David Koepp, the film follows a familiar premise—humans venturing into dinosaur-infested wilderness, facing deadly consequences. While most characters display panic and desperation, Johansson’s Zora maintains an almost cool indifference throughout, a trait that has provoked much debate and criticism.
The Dynamics of Zora Bennett and Her Unconventional Attitude
Zora Bennett stands out from the frenetic chaos of the other characters thanks to Johansson’s choice to imbue the role with a steady, smirking poise. Her first encounter with pharma executive Martin Krebs, played by Rupert Friend, foreshadows this demeanor as she unexpectedly inserts herself into his journey and remains visibly unimpressed by his offers, including a $10 million payment to lead a perilous expedition. This attitude persists through her interactions with paleontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and her partner-in-combat Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), as she exudes a knowing, almost amused detachment.
Her performance consistently suggests a calculated, self-aware approach to the mission’s risks and rewards. As one critic expressed,
[Johansson]’s many attempts to appear as if her character is thinking about some devilishly clever plan onscreen only suggest the actress’s fraught mental calculations regarding how much this gig might pay for, say, her home renovations.
—Unnamed Critic
Zora’s demeanor throughout the film aligns with an unspoken con: she and Duncan clearly know they are exploiting Martin’s wealth and desperation. This is backed up by the character’s nonchalant acceptance of their scam, summarized perfectly in the sentiment:
You know we’re scamming you. We know that you know. And it doesn’t matter, because we know you need us and you have infinite funds. You’re going to pay our price, so why should we bother putting actual effort into this con we’re running on you?
—Unnamed Critic
Public and Critical Reception of Johansson’s Performance
Despite Johansson’s confident approach, many viewers and critics have found her portrayal lacking in emotional depth and authenticity. Comments about her performance highlight a perceived absence of human feeling;
never shows a hint of human emotion,
and is described as
almost impressively unemotive
so much so that critics argue
absolutely nothing about [her] says warrior, veteran, leader, or anything along those lines.
Another common criticism centers on her inability to convincingly embody a battle-hardened mercenary on a final mission, with some questioning the sincerity behind her performance and engagement with the role. These criticisms underscore a widespread dissatisfaction with how Johansson’s Zora strays from the typical emotional arcs expected in such intense action roles.
The Bruce Willis Energy: A Male Action Hero Persona in a Female Lead
Observing Johansson’s portrayal from a different perspective reveals a deliberate embrace of the kind of cool, detached toughness more commonly associated with Bruce Willis. Rather than depicting Zora as emotionally open or dramatically nuanced, Johansson projects the “I’m always three steps ahead” attitude reminiscent of Willis’s iconic screen presence. This gives the character a distinct tone of smirking confidence and detached professionalism—qualities rarely foregrounded in female action leads.
This shift is immediately apparent when Zora first appears, unexpectedly entering Martin’s vehicle during a traffic jam and startling him with her presence. The half-amused smirk she wears during their initial negotiations signals a character playing a cerebral game that others are not quite aware of, reflecting an “above it all” attitude.
Of course, Johansson herself has denied modeling the character on any prior actor. Instead, she describes Zora as “burnt out” from a past filled with traumatic and violent experiences, portraying a woman hardened by her career but unwilling to reveal her vulnerabilities. In interviews, she has emphasized her long-standing enthusiasm for the Jurassic Park franchise and her intention not to appear “desperate” for the role when pitching to Steven Spielberg, countering suggestions that she took the part solely for financial reasons.
How Zora’s Character Defies Typical Female Action Movie Tropes
Zora Bennett’s persona is a notable deviation from the female action leads audiences are familiar with. Traditionally, characters like Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley in Aliens established women as fierce protectors with deeply maternal drives. Later decades saw female leads often presented as either masculinized warriors or aspirational figures designed to be challenged or won over by male counterparts.
Across many recent female-driven action movies, the protagonist frequently follows a recognizable pattern: tough and grim-faced with occasional hints of softness that occasionally surface. Johansson’s Zora, however, adopts a posture far less softened and much more cocky, which resonates with a brash confidence normally reserved for supporting characters or male leads—roles played by actors like Gina Carano in Haywire or Jenette Goldstein’s Vasquez in Aliens.
Male Action Star Swagger: The Influence of Bruce Willis and Contemporary Figures
Bruce Willis’s career is famed for imbuing his characters with a particular “too-cool-for-this” smirk that communicates a lifetime of battles faced with half-hearted annoyance rather than fear. In films like Die Hard and Looper, his heroes suffer physically and emotionally but maintain an ironic detachment that has inspired subsequent generations of male action stars.
Today, actors such as Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel each develop their own versions of this ethos—a blend of swagger and invulnerability—which appeals broadly to audiences. Similarly, Marvel Studios heroes, including Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, embody various interpretations of the irreverent, bantering, yet selectively vulnerable male lead. Johansson’s Zora channels aspects of these archetypes, yet her female embodiment of this persona remains rare.
The Limits of Johansson’s Performance and Script in Conveying Depth
Despite the fresh angle Johansson brings, her performance is occasionally hampered by the script’s limitations. The film’s attempts to incorporate a deeper backstory for Zora lack emotional impact, often feeling rote or forced. A pivotal scene where Zora reveals glimpses of past trauma fails to break through her tough exterior, resulting in a portrayal that some viewers find stiff and unconvincing.
The latter half of Jurassic Park Rebirth increasingly focuses on non-stop action and survival, providing little room for Johansson to develop her character beyond the established smug exterior. This restriction extends to the moral dilemma Zora faces at the climax: deciding whether to give Martin’s illicitly obtained scientific data to the broader research community, which would mean sacrificing a $20 million payday. Her casual attitude during this moment undermines the dramatic weight it theoretically should hold, raising questions about the authenticity of her character’s arc.
Renewing Female Action Leads by Breaking the Mold
Johansson’s portrayal of Zora Bennett introduces an intriguing but polarizing model for female action leads—one rooted in detached coolness and a kind of self-aware arrogance rarely front and center for women in blockbuster franchises. While the script provides limited opportunities to expand on this persona, the initial scenes allow Johansson to experiment with a role closer to a smirking, Bruce Willis-style action hero than the typical maternal or emotionally driven heroine.
Her previous roles in action films, such as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Lucy in Lucy, feature more intense, emotionally charged performances. In contrast, Zora’s character belongs to a category of lead who displays toughness with an unmistakable layer of ironic disengagement—a stride not often taken by female leads.
Significance of Johansson’s Role and Its Place in Action Film Evolution
While opinions vary on the effectiveness of Scarlett Johansson’s turn as Zora Bennett, the role undeniably challenges conventions by introducing a different kind of female action lead, one more aligned with decades of male cinematic swagger. Her performance, though divisive, suggests there is room for broader interpretations of female toughness that step away from the emotionally tortured or hyper-maternal archetypes dominant in recent decades.
As action movies continue evolving, Johansson’s role in Jurassic Park Rebirth may encourage filmmakers and actors alike to explore further variations on what it means to be a leading woman in high-stakes, physical thrillers. By channeling a traditionally male persona, Johansson adds a new layer to genre possibilities, potentially shifting future expectations of female heroes on screen.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened between Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson?
A. Even though Reynolds and Johansson didn’t say much about their breakup, it appeared their busy work schedules led to the short marriage. In an interview, the Black Widow actor remarked, “Relationships are complicated,” as reported by Xyno Online News.
Q. What is Scarlett Johansson’s religion?
A. Her family is Jewish and left Poland and Russia. Their original last name was Schlamberg. She has an older sister, Vanessa, who acts too. She also has an older brother, Adrian, and a twin brother, Hunter.
Q. Is Scarlett Johansson LGBTQ?
A. “Rub & Tug” was set to feature Johansson, a heterosexual actress, playing Dante “Tex” Gill. Gill, a real-life American crime boss, ran a massage parlor as a cover for prostitution during the 1970s and 1980s. Though Gill was biologically female, he identified as male.
