Spike Jonze isn’t a stranger to a short video. He made his name directing iconic music videos for acts like The Beastie Boys, Björk, Weezer, among others. While feature films likes Being John Malkovich, Adaptation., and Her elevated him into one of today’s foremost directors, Jonze returns to the music video format every so often.
While his latest video officially bills itself as a commercial for Kenzo’s latest perfume, Kenzo World, it doubles as a music video for Sam Spiegel & Brain Child’s “Mutant Brain” record, which features Assassin. The clip features 21-year-old actress and former dancer/model Margaret Qualley, who stars in HBO’s The Leftovers and had roles in Palo Alto and The Nice Guys.
Beginning at an awards show of some kind, the camera zooms tighter and tighter on Qualley’s visibly flustered and upset face. She does her best to feign interest and excitement, but excuses herself for a breather.
Then the fun starts. A clocking wood block beat sounds and possesses Qualley. She loses control, her face contorting all sorts of unnatural, wacky positions, then her body joins the fun. The camera follows Qualley as she dances and flails around the fancy hotel, eventually culminating in her shooting lasers from her fingertips and leaping through a giant eye-shaped hedge. It’s absolute bonkers fun.
Ryan Hueffington choreographed “My Mutant Brain.” His previous work includes Sia’s “Chandelier” video, and the similarities are apparent. Also of note: Same Spiegel, who produced the track, is Jonze’s brother.
Check out the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABz2m0olmPg
