Amanda Seyfried has nothing but praise for Jennifer’s Body—except when it comes to how it was marketed. Reflecting on the 2009 horror-comedy in a recent GQ video revisiting her career, Seyfried called the film “perfect,” but didn’t hold back on her disappointment with the way it was advertised.
“If critics had anything to complain about, it was the marketing,” she said. “The marketing sucked. It just did, and we all agree.”
Written by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, Jennifer’s Body follows the friendship between high school outcast Anita “Needy” Lesnicki (Seyfried) and her best friend, the popular and alluring Jennifer Check (Megan Fox). When a Satanic rock band botches a ritual sacrifice, Jennifer is transformed into a bloodthirsty demon, forcing Needy into a battle to stop her.
The film’s unique blend of horror, satire, and dark comedy offered a sharp critique of how young women are treated both in media and real life. But despite its ambitious themes, Jennifer’s Body underperformed at the box office, earning just $31.5 million on a $16 million budget. Many—including the film’s cast and creators—have blamed the marketing campaign, which focused on Fox’s sex appeal rather than the film’s feminist subtext.
“The marketing team cheapened it,” Seyfried said. “They made it look like just a gory romp. I think they ruined it.”
Seyfried isn’t the only one to criticize the film’s promotion. Adam Brody, who played the lead singer of the Satanic band in the film, echoed similar sentiments in 2023, saying, “The marketing couldn’t have missed the mark harder.” He noted that instead of highlighting the film’s female-led creative team—including an Oscar-winning screenwriter—it was promoted as a titillating horror flick for Transformers fans.
Cody herself admitted in 2018 that the film was marketed as “a cheap, trashy, exploitative vehicle for the hot girl from Transformers.” Meanwhile, Fox reflected in 2020 that the film never had a fair shot, as backlash to her public image overshadowed its actual content.
Despite its initial reception, Jennifer’s Body has since gained recognition as a cult classic, particularly among audiences who appreciate its feminist themes and sharp writing. Seyfried remains proud of the film and its creative team, praising Kusama for her ability to capture the depth of female relationships on screen and calling Cody “outspoken, beautiful, smart, and funny.”
As for what’s next, Seyfried hinted that there could be more Jennifer’s Body on the horizon. “You know, I’m looking forward to the sequel,” she teased. “They’re working on it. I already said thumbs-up. I was like, ‘Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready.’”
With growing appreciation for the film and renewed interest in its themes, perhaps this time around, Jennifer’s Body will finally get the recognition it deserves.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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