Dakota Johnson’s Nightmare on Set: How Suspiria Took a Serious Toll on Her Mental Health

OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.

When we think of Dakota Johnson, we often picture her in iconic roles like Fifty Shades of Grey. But it’s her experience on the set of Suspiria (2018), a psychological horror remake, that left an indelible mark on her mental health—one that was so intense, it forced her to seek professional help.

While many actors speak about the difficulties of playing dark and intense characters, Dakota’s time filming Suspiria was an emotional and psychological challenge that went far beyond what anyone might expect from a film. In an honest interview with Elle, Dakota revealed just how deeply the experience affected her, saying, “No lie, [it] f**ked me up so much that I had to go to therapy.” But what exactly happened on set to push her to that point?

The answer is not the typical blood-soaked scenes, the supernatural witches, or the ominous atmosphere that defines Suspiria. Instead, it was the grueling conditions of the set itself and the emotional toll of playing a character in such a harrowing story.

The Haunted Set: Cold, Isolated, and Creepy

Filming Suspiria took Dakota and the cast to a hauntingly remote location in northern Italy—the Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori, an abandoned building high up on a mountain. The hotel had been vacant since the 1960s, offering the kind of desolate, creepy vibes you’d expect in a horror film. But for Dakota, it was all too real. She recalled the cold, dry environment: “It was cold as s**t and so dry,” she shared. To make things even more unsettling, the hotel was powered by electricity running through telephone poles, giving the entire location an eerie, unnerving feeling.

Imagine filming long hours in an isolated, creepy location with the harsh elements, and you start to understand why the physical and emotional strain weighed so heavily on her.

A Rollercoaster of Emotion: Acting in Suspiria

The film itself was no less intense. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Suspiria is a nightmarish dive into the “relentless, unsentimental idea of femininity.” It’s a chilling and surreal experience, and Dakota’s role as Susie Bannion, a young ballet student who discovers the sinister secrets of her dance academy, demanded a deep emotional investment. The academy, led by Tilda Swinton (in one of her most chilling roles), wasn’t just about dance—it was steeped in blood rituals and dark magic. The film’s unsettling soundtrack by Thom Yorke only added to the fever dream atmosphere.

For Dakota, Suspiria wasn’t just a performance—it became a battle of the mind. She had to dig deep into her emotions and face the darkest corners of her psyche, something that took a toll on her mental health. It wasn’t just about facing monsters on screen; it was about confronting personal demons in a raw and real way.

A Long Struggle: Dakota’s Battle with Depression

As if filming such a deeply disturbing movie wasn’t enough, Dakota had also been grappling with her long-time struggle with depression. She has been open about dealing with mental health challenges since she was a teenager, sharing that her battle with depression started around the age of 14 or 15. This history of mental health struggles made her time on Suspiria even more difficult.

But instead of allowing the experience to break her, Dakota took an empowered approach to recovery. In interviews, she’s spoken about how she learned to be kinder to herself, both physically and mentally, especially after the emotional toll Suspiria took on her. She now embraces a powerful mantra: “Being kind to your body and your brain.” It’s a simple but profound reminder of the importance of self-care and mental well-being, especially for someone who has faced such intense challenges.

The Resilience of Dakota Johnson

Despite the deeply unsettling and challenging nature of Suspiria, Dakota Johnson emerged stronger. She took the experience as a wake-up call to prioritize her mental health and recovery, and as she continued to navigate her career, she carried these lessons with her. From a haunted hotel in Italy to battling her personal demons, Dakota faced it all head-on—and came out the other side more resilient, more self-aware, and ready for whatever came next.

In a world where celebrities often face scrutiny and pressure, Dakota’s willingness to speak honestly about her struggles with mental health is not just refreshing but empowering. She’s proof that even after the darkest of moments—whether they come from the harsh realities of a film set or personal battles—we can rise again, stronger than ever.

Suspiria may have been a nightmare on set, but for Dakota Johnson, it became a turning point in her journey of self-care, resilience, and growth. And while she faced the darkness, she’s now a beacon of strength, showing us all that it’s okay to ask for help and take time to heal.

Để lại một bình luận

Email của bạn sẽ không được hiển thị công khai. Các trường bắt buộc được đánh dấu *

Back to top button

You cannot copy content of this page