The Hidden French Masterpiece Dakota Johnson Wants Everyone to See

She survived Fifty Shades of Grey, and more recently, Madame Web — a superhero trainwreck so legendary she'll probably be answering questions about it for the rest of her life.

But once in a while, she surprises people. She had a solid supporting role in The Social Network, drew praise for The Lost Daughter, and is currently earning buzz for Materialists. So when she recommends a movie, it's worth paying attention — especially when it's not one you'd expect.

In an interview with Glamour, Johnson was asked what people should add to their watchlist. Her pick?

"There's a new Les Misérables directed by Ladj Ly that I love so much. I think it's one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen."

No, not the one with singing convicts — Ly's Les Misérables (2019) has nothing to do with the musical. It's a gritty, urgent crime drama set in Montfermeil, the Paris suburb where Victor Hugo's novel partly took place. The story follows a police officer investigating unrest during France's World Cup celebrations — and what he uncovers about life in this neighborhood.

Ly grew up in Montfermeil himself, the son of Malian immigrants, and the film draws directly from his experience. Before this, he was making street-level documentaries with his friends — now he's directing Cannes prizewinners.

The film was a breakout hit in France and went on to earn an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature. Ly later followed it up with Les Indésirables (2023), another film about life on the margins of Paris — made with the same crew and just as pointed in its politics.