'It Shattered My Confidence': Diablo Cody Recalls Jennifer's Body's Poor Reception (2024)

Diablo Cody reveals how Jennifer's Body becoming a cult classic inspired her to return to the horror genre with Lisa Frankenstein.

Cody discussed how the film's underwhelming response from audiences and critics in 2009 shattered her confidence. Jennifer's Body opened in fifth place at the box office and made $31.6 million in its total run from a $16 million budget. The film currently has 46% positive reviews and an average rating of 5.20/10. The film then received a positive resurgence among audiences in the late 2010s as an under-appreciated cult classic.

In an interview with CinemaBlend, Cody stated, "I love that movie. And so for me, I knew that I wanted to capture some of the tone of that movie in this one. However, the one thing that I've gained over the last few years is confidence. Because when that movie came out, it shattered my confidence. And so I thought, 'Oh, I don't really have any business writing in this genre,' 'cause people didn't love it the way I wanted them to. And then when they started to love it, that was when I said, 'Oh, I'm gonna do this again.' And I did it with this really renewed appreciation for the fact that I get to do this job. Like, I don't think I was as appreciative going into Jennifer's Body, but now knowing how difficult this business can be and being older and wiser, I'm like, gosh, this is such a gift."

A Horror Geek Life editorial in 2018 praised the film as ahead of its time, with Jennifer's Body becoming a cult classic. That was followed by a Vox article which reported that a new critical consensus was emerging viewing Jennifer's Body as a "overlooked feminist masterpiece." Writer Constance Grady observed that in the wake of the MeToo movement exposing systemic sexual harassment and misconduct in the media industry, the film's narrative of "powerful men exploiting a woman's body for their own gain" struck a uncomfortable chord of familiarity. Grady suggested that this shift in perspective allowed audiences to re-frame the film not as a sexual fantasy, but as a story of vengeance, where Jennifer turns the tables on her attackers by using her own abused body against them.

Diablo Cody shared her thoughts on the re-appraisal, stating the film was marketed "all wrong." She discussed arguing with executives who wanted "to market this to boys who like Megan Fox. That's who's going to see it. And I was like. No! This is a movie for girls too! That audience, they did not attempt to reach."

Lisa Frankenstein Is Set in the Same Universe as Jennifer's Body

Cody revealed the upcoming Lisa Frankestein takes place in the Jennifer's Body universe. "I am just declaring that this movie takes place in the same universe. I have decided that. I will not say that you'd see any overt references to that but I'm saying it."

Lisa Frankenstein is now playing in movie theaters.

Source: CinemaBlend

Jennifer's Body

R

A newly-possessed high-school cheerleader turns into a succubus who specializes in killing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?

Release Date

September 18, 2009

Director

Karyn Kusama

Cast

Megan Fox , Amanda Seyfried , Adam Brody​

Runtime

1 hour 42 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

Diablo Cody