Emma Stone is joining forces once again with Oscar-nominated director Yorgos Lanthimos for a gripping new commercial set to air during the Super Bowl on February 8. The ad, created for Squarespace’s 12th appearance in the game’s high-profile advertising lineup, promises an intense and dramatic visual experience with Stone leading the performance.
The collaboration between Stone and Lanthimos follows their work on several acclaimed films including The Favourite, Poor Things, and their latest Oscar-nominated project Bugonia. This new commercial extends their creative partnership into the arena of live sports marketing, marking their first Super Bowl advertisement together.
Preview of the Mysterious “Unavailable” Campaign
A black-and-white teaser titled Unavailable has been released, hinting at the mood and tone of the upcoming commercial. In the brief 15-second clip, Stone appears visibly emotional, breathing heavily and with tears in her eyes. The camera then shifts to a suspenseful shot of an enigmatic building perched atop an isolated island, heightening the ad’s intense atmosphere.
The soundtrack plays a crucial role in building tension, featuring avant-garde compositions by Jerskin Fendrix that complement Lanthimos’ distinct directorial style. Although the teaser reveals little about the ad’s message, Squarespace plans to debut a full 30-second version during the game, alongside a longer 90-second film crafted in London.
Emma Stone’s Recent Oscar Nomination and Personal Transformation
Stone’s involvement in this campaign coincides with her Best Actress nomination for her role in Lanthimos’ dark comedy thriller Bugonia. In the film, she portrays a powerful pharmaceutical CEO held captive by two conspiracy-driven men. This nomination marks Stone as the youngest woman to reach seven Oscar nods, surpassing a record previously held by Meryl Streep, who earned seven nominations by age 38.
Stone reflected on the significance of these nominations, stating,
“Thank you to the Academy for these nominations and to everyone who poured their hearts into Bugonia,”
and expressed deep gratitude for her director’s role:
“None of this exists without our director, Yorgos. I am forever grateful for our creative partnership and friendship.”
She also acknowledged her co-stars and crew, saying,
“I share this recognition with the beyond brilliant Jesse Plemons and our remarkable cast, crew and producers.”
Embracing Change: Stone’s Personal Journey for Her Role
To authentically portray her character in Bugonia, Stone underwent a dramatic physical transformation by shaving her head, a decision she kept secret to preserve the role’s impact upon release. She described this experience as liberating, noting,
“It was actually one of the greatest experiences of my life, very freeing, and it’s just hair.”
Stone connected with this change personally, inspired by her mother Krista’s battle with hair loss during chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. She added with a lighthearted tone,
“I thought it would be longer by now, but it’s just hair!”
Significance of the Ad and Anticipated Audience Reaction
This collaboration between Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos highlights the increasing trend of cinematic storytelling in Super Bowl advertising. By combining Stone’s powerful performance and Lanthimos’ unique directorial vision, the Squarespace commercial is poised to stand out among this year’s most memorable game-day spots.
The dark, emotional tone of the ad, coupled with its artistic execution, reflects the evolving nature of commercials during major sporting events, where brands seek to create lasting impressions beyond traditional promotional content. Fans and viewers can expect a layered narrative that extends the duo’s ongoing creative rapport into a new medium, potentially setting a precedent for future collaborations between film artists and advertisers.
