Dakota Johnson Reveals Sandra Bullock Reached Out After Her Razzie Win for Madame Web – “I Freaked Out”

A Voice Note from a Hollywood Icon

When Dakota Johnson won the 2025 Razzie Award for Worst Actress for her role in Madame Web, the backlash was swift and relentless online. But in an unexpected and touching moment, one of Hollywood’s most respected stars, Sandra Bullock, reached out to her with words of comfort—and a humorous offer of support.

Speaking on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Johnson recalled receiving a heartfelt voice note from Bullock after the awards.

“She left me a voice note being like, ‘Hey, I heard you’re in the Razzie club. We should have monthly brunches.’ I freaked out. She's so iconic to me,” Johnson said.

Bullock, who won a Razzie in 2010 for All About Steve—just a day before accepting the Best Actress Oscar for The Blind Side—knows firsthand the sting and absurdity of Hollywood’s worst-of-the-year “honor.” Her message to Johnson wasn't just kind—it was symbolic of how the industry’s most seasoned actors can show up when it matters.

Madame Web: From Marvel Spin-Off to Industry Punchline

The backlash toward Madame Web was brutal from the start. Intended as a bold expansion of Sony’s Spider-Man universe, the film was met with overwhelming criticism for its disjointed plot, poor pacing, and baffling dialogue.

The film received six Razzie nominations and won for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actress (for Zosia Mamet), and Worst Actress—Dakota Johnson.

Rotten Tomatoes holds the film at a dismal 11% approval rating. With a production budget of nearly $100 million, Madame Web failed to make even half that at the domestic box office, ending its run as one of 2024’s most high-profile superhero misfires.

Dakota Johnson Reacts: “It Was Out of My Hands”

In a separate interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Johnson made it clear that while she stands by her performance, Madame Web was not the movie she thought she had signed on for.

“I can’t say that I watched the movie, but I know what it was supposed to be,” she said. “The process was so chaotic… you’re often not in control of the final product.”

She admitted that superhero filmmaking wasn't for her, adding, “I don’t know if it’s ever worth it. That was a wild experience.”

Still, she’s not retreating from public life. Instead, Johnson has spoken candidly about the emotional toll such projects can take and how important it is to separate career disappointments from personal identity.

Sandra Bullock’s “Razzie Club” Invite: More Than Just a Joke

Sandra Bullock’s message to Johnson wasn’t just a celebrity check-in—it was a meaningful moment between two women who’ve weathered Hollywood’s highs and lows.

Bullock is one of the rare A-listers who attended her Razzie ceremony in person, wheeling a cart full of DVDs of All About Steve to give to voters. The very next night, she accepted the Academy Award for The Blind Side. That juxtaposition—one night ridiculed, the next celebrated—became a defining moment in awards season history.

Johnson called the message “cool and kind,” and suggested they really should do a monthly brunch for Razzie recipients.

“It just made me feel less alone. This industry makes you feel so exposed when something bombs. To hear from someone I admire so much? It meant everything,” she added.

Public Backlash and Internet Pile-On

Despite Johnson’s openness, the online conversation surrounding Madame Web quickly turned toxic. Clips of awkward dialogue went viral on TikTok, and YouTube creators released takedown reviews with millions of views.

The harshness of the response felt disproportionate to some fans and critics, who argued that the screenplay and direction were to blame—not Johnson’s performance.

On social media, many defended her with comments like:

• “Dakota Johnson didn’t write or direct Madame Web—why are we blaming the actress?”

• “She tried to bring nuance to a script that gave her nothing.”

This backlash underscores a larger industry issue: when big-budget films flop, the blame often lands on actors first—even when they have little creative control.

What’s Next for Dakota Johnson?

Fortunately, Johnson isn’t letting the experience derail her career. Her next film, the romantic comedy Materialists, is already generating buzz for its sharp writing and co-stars Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans.

Unlike Madame Web, Materialists was developed with a clear creative vision and smaller budget, leaning into the grounded, quirky charm that made Johnson a breakout star in The Lost Daughter and How to Be Single.

She told the LA Times:

“I’m interested in films where people are messy, funny, and flawed. Not giant spectacle. I’ve learned a lot.”

Hollywood’s Dual Reality: Success and Failure Can Coexist

This story isn’t just about one failed film—it’s about how the industry handles failure and how artists recover from it. Bullock’s example—owning the moment, keeping perspective, and staying grounded—offers a valuable lesson.

In the end, Dakota Johnson’s story highlights the need for compassion and peer support in an industry that often thrives on humiliation. With Sandra Bullock in her corner, she’s handling the fallout with grace, humor, and a rare degree of transparency.

And if those monthly Razzie brunches ever do happen—there’s likely a waitlist forming already.

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