Amanda Seyfried Thinks Jennifer’s Body Was Perfect (But Marketing Ruined It)

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The actress Amanda Seyfried, who starred in the 2009 horror film “Jennifer’s Body,” has spoken out about the movie’s struggles, blaming its promotional campaign for its initial poor performance. During a video interview with GQ, she praised the film while criticizing how it was marketed to audiences. Seyfried noted that the film’s content and presentation didn’t align well, which may have contributed to its commercial failure. Despite this, “Jennifer’s Body” has gained renewed popularity over the years, becoming a significant milestone in feminist horror films. Seyfried’s comments underscore the ongoing debate about how marketing choices can significantly influence a film’s initial reception and commercial success, particularly for female-led projects that mix genres and break traditional narrative conventions.

Seyfried stated that she found the movie flawless for her tastes, and if there were any criticism, it would likely focus on the marketing strategy, which she felt was subpar.

The horror-comedy, penned by Academy Award-winning Diablo Cody and helmed by Karyn Kusama, narrates the tale of best friends Jennifer and Needy. As their bond evolves, an unusual twist arises when Jennifer is overtaken by a demon with a voracious appetite for adolescent males. Despite boasting a witty script, feminist nuances, and unique blending of genres, the movie’s marketing materials mainly highlighted Fox’s attractiveness.

Seyfried stated that the marketing team made the film appear cheap and trivial, as if it were merely an entertaining but violent escapade. She felt they spoiled it. This portrayal of the movie clearly displeased the creative team who had produced something much deeper than the ads implied.

It’s not just Seyfried who feels this way; Adam Brody, her co-star, had criticized the marketing strategy to IndieWire, saying it missed its target terribly by emphasizing Fox’s appearance over the strong female creative team behind the scenes. Additionally, Diablo Cody, the screenwriter, has expressed her displeasure, stating that due to the marketing, many people perceived the movie as a shallow, exploitative project featuring the attractive girl from Transformers, rather than recognizing its true potential.

Initially, the movie fell short of expectations when it was first shown, gathering only $31.5 million worldwide in revenue despite having a production budget of $16 million. Yet, over time, it has managed to cultivate a dedicated fanbase who admire its intricate portrayal of female camaraderie, sexuality, and horror themes.

As a movie buff, I must admit that the project initially faced some hurdles, but Amber Seyfried’s unwavering enthusiasm kept the flame burning. She even subtly suggested that there might be more to this story in the future.

She shared that she’s excited for the upcoming sequel, and since they’re currently developing it, she gave her approval with a thumbs-up. Essentially, she expressed, “As soon as you’re ready, I’m all set!

In her interview with GQ, Seyfried showed appreciation for both the movie’s writer and director. She referred to Cody as “outspoken, beautiful, intelligent, and funny,” remarking that their collaboration was “articulating a particular discontent in a very unique comedic manner, within a specific genre.” Regarding Kusama, she said, “Karyn is an ardent supporter of women in storytelling. She has the ability to strengthen the bonds between women on screen and television.

When discussing a possible sequel, Seyfried noted the story complications arising from Jennifer’s ending in the first film. Even though Fox’s character seems to perish in the climactic battle, Seyfried playfully hinted at the possibility, “She appears to be dead, doesn’t she? But maybe not…

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2025-03-25 23:09