Dakota Johnson says collaborating with longtime friend Taylor Swift on the cinematic ‘Patient Zero’ music video was an especially enjoyable experience.
Dakota Johnson has opened up about working alongside her longtime friend Taylor Swift in the singer’s highly anticipated cinematic music video for “Patient Zero”, describing the collaboration as one of the most enjoyable experiences of her career.
Swift’s music video for “Patient Zero”, which also stars Colin Farrell, will make its world premiere during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27. Swift directed the video herself.
Dakota Johnson Praises Taylor Swift Collaboration
Speaking at the London red-carpet premiere of her film Verity on Thursday, Johnson reflected on the experience of working with one of her closest friends.
“Working with your friends is like the most fun thing on the planet because we’ve known each other for so long, we respect each other’s creative minds,” Johnson said.
She added that being able to work alongside Swift, support her and follow her creative direction was “wonderful”.
Johnson also discussed the project during an appearance on the Fangirl Nation podcast, explaining that she and Swift had decided to work together because of their longstanding friendship.
“Taylor and I have been friends for a really long time and we’re very close, and we decided to work together and it’s great,” she said.
The actress joked that she would normally advise against working with friends, but said she and Swift “work really well together”.
“It was so fun. So fun. It was the best. We just had the best time,” Johnson added.
‘Patient Zero’ Teaser Offers Cinematic Glimpse
A short teaser released ahead of the full video shows Swift and Johnson mirroring one another in a series of dramatic scenes.
The pair appear at a snowy gravesite, face each other across a bathroom mirror and are seen near the water. One particularly emotional moment shows Swift crying, with her engagement ring visible.
The cinematic video was shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, adding to the film-like presentation of the project.
Swift will also receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors at this year’s VMAs, recognising her work in music video direction and visual storytelling.
‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore’ Arrives
“Patient Zero” is one of four new songs included on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, an expanded edition of Swift’s 2025 album.
The new edition is scheduled for release on Friday, September 25, alongside the single. Swift’s official store is currently listing both the expanded album and “Patient Zero” for release.
The additional tracks are “Cleveland!”, “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon”.
Swift previously explained that the new material came together after an impromptu trip to Sweden with collaborators Max Martin and Shellback following the original album’s first-week success.
“There was a studio there and we did what we do when we feel anything at all: We wrote more songs,” Swift wrote on Instagram.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of VMAs Premiere
With Johnson and Farrell joining Swift on screen, “Patient Zero” has generated considerable interest ahead of its full debut.
The music video will premiere during the MTV VMAs on September 27, giving fans their first opportunity to see the complete cinematic project after the brief teaser.
For Johnson, the project has also offered an opportunity to combine her acting career with a creative collaboration built around a friendship she has maintained with Swift for years.
Her enthusiastic comments suggest the experience was as much about their creative chemistry as it was about appearing in one of Swift’s most anticipated new music videos.