Actress Dakota Johnson has caused a social stir after appearing in a Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch mocking recent news of young girls joining ISIS.
The Fifty Shades of Grey star is the latest celebrity to host the long-running comedy show, but has been criticised on social media for her involvement in the sketch.
The spoof of a Toyota car advert presented Johnson as a daughter getting dropped off by her dad to join ISIS.
The sketch was based on a recent TV advert for Toyota Camry cars in which a young girl is dropped off by her father to join the US Army, but in true SNL style, a joke was made of it. However, the timing of the sketch was quite unfortunate, as it aired the same week three British and four Canadian girls ran away from home to join ISIS.
In the skit, Johnson can be seen getting out the car saying “Dad, it’s just ISIS” before winking and walking off.
While some found the stint amusing, many viewers took to Twitter outraged by the mockery.
Congrats to Dakota Johnson on a brutal movie, fighting w/Mom on red carpet and for an utterly insensitive and pathetic #ISIS skit on #SNL
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) March 2, 2015
@nbcsnl SNL skit with Dakota Johnson on “It’s just ISIS” –not effin’ funny! They’re chopping peoples’ head off and you’re making it a joke? — Diane Williams (@dianewms) March 1, 2015
But for some, the advert was shrugged off as just another SNL stunt and complimented the show about the show’s choice to air it.
SNL’s ISIS bit with Dakota Johnson & Taran Killam is one of most brilliant n history of show. Timeless, terrifying, essential. Oh, & funny.
— Steven Gaydos (@HighSierraMan) March 2, 2015
Comedian Taran Killam, who starred alongside Johnson in the sketch as the father, defended their performance:
Proud of this. Freedom to mock is our greatest weapon. Thanks to the writers who asked not to be mentioned by name. https://t.co/FjdX9xGewX — taran killam (@TaranKillam) March 1, 2015
Featured image – Flickr: Nigel Horsley