Dakota Johnson recalled auditioning for the lead role in the 2015 erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey, describing the experience as unusually special. The part became her breakthrough role, making the film a pivotal moment in her career despite its controversial subject matter and mixed critical reception.

Johnson played Anastasia Steele opposite Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation of E. L. James’s bestseller. She later described the production and its surrounding phenomenon as “psychotic”; the film nevertheless became a major commercial success, grossing about $569 million worldwide and spawning two sequels.