Nobody 2: How Sharon Stone Turned Social Media Cruelty Into Creative Power

Sharon Stone has been a household name, known for her intense and sometimes controversial roles. In her new film ‘Nobody 2’, Sharon Stone plays the villain Lendina. When gathering inspiration for the character, Stone reports the evils of social media as a touch stone. The film is a sequel to the 2021 cult hit ‘Nobody’, pairing her talent with Bob Odenkirk, who reprises his role as Hutch Mansell. Stone’s portrayal of Lendina is not only a great performance by an actress perfectly suited for the role, but a commentary on the dark side of online cultural norms.

A Villain Inspired by Social Media

Stone’s personal experience with the harsh criticism of social media has influenced shaping her character of Lendina. During interviews about her role, Stone revealed the hostility and harassment she has experienced on social media platforms has allowed her to tap in to the same qualities as her villainous character, a woman who thrives off of manipulation and psychological warfare. While accessing inspiration in the negative, Stone also describes her experience and research on social media as therapeutic.

“I wanted Lendina to embody the damage that unchecked hostility can do—not just to others, but to oneself.”

This approach gave her character an air of authenticity, making Lendina more than just a one-dimensional villain. She is a representation of the consequences of the one thing humans have created but couldn’t control…social media and its effect on the human condition.

Her interpretation aligns perfectly with the tone of ‘Nobody 2’, a film that breaks the norms of an action film. It has strong female characters and a societal message that resonates with any age, gender or genre of film.

Sharon Stone and Bob Odenkirk’s On-Screen Chemistry

Bringing Lendina to life meant stepping into the ring with Bob Odenkirk, who has become synonymous with gritty yet relatable protagonists. Odenkirk’s portrayal of Hutch Mansell in ‘Nobody’ introduced audiences to an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary (and violent) extremes. Now, in the sequel, his character meets his match in Lendina, a villain who challenges Hutch both physically and mentally.
Stone and Odenkirk’s dynamic on screen is electrifying. Odenkirk is the ideal protagonist, his optimism and morality make the audience root for him. Lendina is the cerebral and manipulative mastermind, taking joy in watching Odenkirk squirm. The dichotomous interactions of the main characters lend to a creative and thought-provoking narrative. According to Stone, working with Odenkirk was integral to unlocking Lendina’s complexities.

“Bob has this incredible way of grounding every scene he’s in, which gave me the freedom to push Lendina’s boundaries. Together, we created something explosive.”

Sharon Stone’s Approach to Villainy

Sharon Stone has made her career in playing controversial yet iconic characters. Her iconic role as Catherine Tramell in ‘Basic Instinct’ showcased her ability to combine allure with menace. However, with Lendina, she took a modern approach to the character to reflect the vulnerabilities and dangers society must address today.
While the iconic scene in Basic Instinct was based in a physical approach to intimidation, the role of Lendina is a character with a much more psychological approach. She plays the character as someone who recognizes weakness and exploits it with executes her agenda with precision. Her performance is a reflection of her own nuanced philosophy on villainy.

“A great villain isn’t just evil for the sake of it. They always think they’re the hero of their own story.”

Stone’s approach to the character reflects this complexity of the modern-day villain with an emphasis on technology. Lendina’s character uses her power and influence to control others – she mirrors the kind of toxicity found in online spaces. By embodying the potential dark nature of social media that can manipulate, cause toxicity and even incite violence, Stone has found a way to portray Lendina in a societally and culturally relevant light.

The Cultural Resonance of Lendina

One can argue for both sides of the social media world. It can bring people together, yet it can equally be a tool to cause divisiveness and psychological damage. Lendina’s motivations and actions serve as a critique of this dynamic—a reminder of how technology can negatively encourage the darker thoughts and actions of human nature.
And then we have Hutch, portrayed by Odenkirk.
Hutch represents the human resilience against technological advances that are perverse to the human condition. The dichotomy of ideologies makes viewers think – which is more powerful? Technology or humanity?
Stone portrays Lendina in a way that relates to viewers because of her acknowledgement of modern technological, social and cultural issues. Stone encapsulates many complexities to create a new kind of villain.

New Movie, Same Grit

‘Nobody 2’, directed by Ilya Naishuller, retains the gritty aesthetic of its predecessor while expanding the universe in meaningful ways. Themes of revenge, redemption, and morality anchor the film to humanity with an unapologetic approach. 

Fans can expect ‘Nobody 2’ to be a gritty, high-stakes thriller that doesn’t shy away from fans asking themselves hard questions. Sharon Stone’s Lendina ensures this film is a must-watch for 2025.