Johansson, an outspoken advocate for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, discussed her directorial debut and upcoming Holocaust film in an interview with N12.
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| Actor Scarlett Johansson attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" global premiere in London, Britain, June 17, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/CARLOS JASSO) |
Award-winning actress Scarlett Johansson discussed her fears of growing antisemitism and hatred in the United States in an interview with N12, speaking of her directorial debut for the upcoming film “Eleanor the Great.” The film depicts a Holocaust survivor, with the new director stating, "I don't know if I would have felt comfortable telling this story if I weren't Jewish."
Johansson, who first appeared on screen at age nine and went on to become the highest-earning actress in Hollywood, said the move into directing felt like a natural next step after three decades in the industry. “Eleanor the Great” will be released in Israel this weekend, following its premiere in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received strong reviews.
The film stars John Squibb and Erin Kleiman, and centers on a 94-year-old woman who relocates from Florida to New York after a devastating loss. Living with her daughter and granddaughter, she joins a support group for Holocaust survivors, where she forms a deep connection with a young communications student.
Johansson said she felt an immediate personal connection to the script, written by Tori Kamen. “This script kind of found me,” she told N12. “I don’t know if I would have felt comfortable telling this story, if I could have known the story or the characters well, if I weren’t Jewish. This is the part of the story that I definitely know and am comfortable telling.” She described the narrative as “full of nuances, moving and funny,” and said she felt at ease taking on the subject matter.
Her connection to the story is rooted in her own family history. In 2017, Johansson learned that much of her mother’s family had perished in the Holocaust. “My grandfather’s family was in the Warsaw Ghetto,” she said. “‘Schindler’s List’ came out when I was young, too young, and that story had a huge impact on me from a very young age.”
One of Johansson’s most significant creative decisions was to cast real Holocaust survivors, non-actors, as the members of the support group depicted in the film. She said their presence added authenticity and emotional depth.
Johansson, 40, also said the spirit of her grandmother, who resembles the fictional main character, Eleanor, was deeply felt throughout production. “My grandmother, who I was very, very close to, was like Eleanor-complex, and people loved her,” she said. “Sometimes people had a hard time dealing with her, but she was remarkable. Her spirit is really present in this film. I think everyone who came to work on the film did so because they connected deeply to the story. Everything is really charged with that.”
Discussing a film centered on Jewish memory inevitably led to reflection on the current moment, which Johansson described as “very scary times.” She said she has personally experienced antisemitism in the United States. “People make antisemitic comments and just assume you feel the same way they do,” she said. “In those moments I always feel like I’m walking a tightrope.”
She added that her fear extends beyond offensive remarks. “Whenever people spread hateful things, I’m afraid it’s going to lead to physical violence,” she said. “It’s a scary dilemma; should I respond to protect myself and my family, or am I inviting someone to attack me? Who knows what the outcome could be.”
Scarlett Johansson calls out the rise in antisemitism while speaking with Israeli news channel.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) November 7, 2025
“I think whenever people are spewing any kind of hate, I am always concerned that they’re going to be physically violent as well.” pic.twitter.com/VVphpbkjcg
Johansson is an outspoken supporter of Israel
Johansson has long been publicly supportive of Israel. In 2014, her work as a spokesperson for SodaStream, which at the time manufactured products in the West Bank, sparked controversy in the United States. Despite criticism, she defended her decision. Her stance drew the attention of then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who thanked her directly and even referenced her namesake in Gone With the Wind during a speech at the AIPAC conference: “To be honest, my dear, I care very much.”
As debates over Jewish identity and rising hatred intensify worldwide, Johansson said she believes “Eleanor the Great” is not only a new professional chapter but also a cultural statement. “These are definitely very scary times,” she said. “There is a general sense of unease around the issue of identity in general.”
For Johansson, telling this story- rooted in memory, loss, and resilience- is both personal and timely.
