Why Scarlett Johansson’s Cool and Calculated Jurassic World Role Is Breaking the Mold

Scarlett Johansson’s performance as Zora Bennett in Jurassic World Rebirth has sparked a lot of debate. While some critics say she looks bored or disconnected, there’s more to her “smarter and sneakier” hero mode than meets the eye. Let’s dive into what makes her portrayal stand out — or not — in this dino-filled adventure.

How Johansson’s cool, smug style shapes Zora Bennett’s character
Comparisons to classic action heroes like Bruce Willis
Why some viewers feel her role lacks emotional depth
The uniqueness of a female lead with this kind of detached swagger
How the script both helps and limits her performance

A Different Kind of Action Hero

Jurassic World Rebirth sticks to what fans expect: dinosaurs, danger, and a mix of characters trying to survive. But Zora Bennett, played by Scarlett Johansson, breaks the mold. Instead of panicking or screaming, she smirks, shrugs, and moves through the chaos with a cool detachment that’s unusual for a female lead. This has led some critics to accuse Johansson of showing “extreme for-the-paycheck energy” or being “almost impressively unemotive.”

However, this isn’t just a lazy performance. Zora’s attitude feels more like a classic Bruce Willis vibe — a hero who’s been through so much that nothing fazes her anymore. When she first meets pharma bro Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), who hires her for a risky dinosaur expedition, she’s calm, collected, and clearly three steps ahead. She treats the $10 million fee offer like a joke, showing she’s not easily impressed.

Why the Smugness?

Zora’s half-amused smirk and knowing look suggest she’s running a con on Martin and others. She and her old partner Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) manipulate the situation to double their pay, all while pretending not to believe the doubts Duncan expresses. It’s like they’re saying: “We know you’re desperate and have deep pockets, so why bother with honesty?”

This kind of cocky, too-cool-for-school swagger is rare for women in action films. Usually, female leads are either fierce maternal protectors or tough-as-nails warriors with hidden soft sides. Zora is different — she’s unapologetically detached, smirking through danger without breaking a sweat.

Critics and Fans: Mixed Reactions

Many reviews call Johansson’s performance flat or unconvincing as a battle-hardened mercenary. Some say she “never shows a hint of human emotion” or that she’s “not believable as a world-weary, battle-scarred mercenary.” Others just feel she seems uncommitted to the role.

But the actor herself has spoken about Zora as “burnt out” after a career of trauma, and her lifelong Jurassic Park fandom shows she’s not just in it for the paycheck. You can see that underneath the smirk, Zora cares about the people she’s protecting — she gets angry when greed or mistakes put them in danger.

Action Heroines and Male Swagger

Zora’s character echoes a style often reserved for male action stars like Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, or Vin Diesel — the “I’m cooler than this chaos” attitude. Marvel heroes like Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) also use humor and smirks to mask vulnerability. Johansson’s Zora fits into this tradition, though it’s less common for women.

That said, her emotional scenes don’t always land well. The “deep past trauma” moment feels forced and halfhearted, and the film’s final moral choice — whether to hand over illegal data for the greater good — comes off as too casual, undermining the character’s complexity.

Final Thoughts: A Bold but Flawed Take

Johansson’s Zora isn’t your typical female action hero. She’s got a rare swagger and cool detachment that set her apart. The script doesn’t always support this approach, giving her little room to grow or show depth beyond the smirk. Still, it’s refreshing to see a female lead channeling that classic “too-cool-for-this” energy.

Whether you love or hate the character, it’s clear Johansson isn’t just phoning it in. She’s bringing a unique style to Jurassic World Rebirth, one that male stars have been refining for decades. And that’s worth recognizing.