First-look images have been unveiled for Flesh Impact, a new film written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal to mark the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth.
Presented by Genesis, the film stars Dakota Johnson and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn as two different versions of Monroe. Johnson portrays the actress at the height of her fame, while Burstyn plays an older Marilyn representing the life and identity that audiences never had the opportunity to see.
The cast also includes Peter Sarsgaard and The Pitt actress Sepideh Moafi. Flesh Impact will have its world premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, where Burstyn is also set to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Two Marilyn Monroes, One Modern Reinterpretation
Described as a celebration of one of cinema’s most enduring figures, the film explores Monroe’s ability to challenge convention and maintain her cultural influence across generations. Its title comes from an expression used to describe her distinctive screen presence: an image considered so real and luminous that audiences felt they could almost touch her through the screen.
Gyllenhaal said she had long been fascinated by Monroe and approached the centenary project as an opportunity to examine the icon through a contemporary perspective. The production was created with the approval of the Marilyn Monroe estate holders, Authentic Brands Group, and aims to present Monroe as a woman defying boundaries and taking control of her own narrative.
The film brings together an established creative team that includes production designer Karen Murphy, casting director Mary Vernieu, costume designer Jennifer Johnson, editor Affonso Gonçalves and cinematographer Lawrence Sher.
Produced by William Green for The Cut, Michelle Ross for Superprime, Nicolette Spencer and Melissa Moore for INNOCEAN, Flesh Impact represents a collaboration between filmmakers, production companies and a major international brand. Its Venice premiere will place the project within one of the industry’s most prominent festival platforms, connecting Monroe’s lasting cinematic legacy with Gyllenhaal’s modern interpretation of her image and story.
Images: Genesis.
