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Scarlett Johansson is known for her powerful performances on screen, but her voice is now making waves far beyond Hollywood, in the wilds of rural America.
In an unexpected twist, dialogue from one of Johansson’s most acclaimed films, Marriage Story, is being used by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help protect cattle from wolf attacks.
Farms in parts of Oregon and California have been battling with wolves preying on their livestock, and traditional deterrents haven’t always been effective. That’s where technology, and a little bit of movie magic, has come into play.
The USDA has deployed quadcopter drones to fly over farmland, blasting loud noises to scare the predators away. The audio varies, from heavy rock anthems by AC/DC to intense sequences from violent movie scenes. One of the more surprising choices? Johansson’s emotionally charged fight scene with Adam Driver from Marriage Story.
The 2019 film, which earned Johansson an Oscar nomination, sees her and Driver portray a couple going through a bitter divorce and custody battle. In one memorable and highly emotional scene, the pair’s characters erupt into a raw, shouting argument, a sequence now serving as an unlikely deterrent for hungry wolves.
And surprisingly, it’s working.
According to The Irish Independent, wolf attacks on cattle in Southern Oregon dropped dramatically after the drones were introduced. In one case, the number of cows killed by wolves fell from 11 in just 20 days to two over the following 85 days.
A spokesperson for the USDA explained that the method works because wolves are startled by sudden, unfamiliar noises, particularly those that mimic human shouting and confrontation. By using drones, the audio can be projected from above, catching the predators off guard without putting people in danger.
While it may sound unconventional, the approach is part of a wider effort to reduce lethal control measures against wolves, balancing wildlife conservation with protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
As for Johansson, she has not yet publicly commented on the unusual use of her performance. But given the global popularity of Marriage Story, and the sheer intensity of that particular scene, it’s perhaps no surprise that it’s making even the fiercest of predators think twice.
For now, cattle farmers in Oregon and California can rest a little easier, knowing that Hollywood drama has given them an unexpected new tool in the fight to keep their livestock safe.
