Taylor Swift has shared details about working with Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell on the music video for her new song, Patient Zero. The 36-year-old singer released the video on Sunday for the track, one of four songs on her extended album, The Life Of A Showgirl: The Encore.
The clip, inspired by "gothic ghost stories," shows Swift as the deceased ex-wife of Farrell's character, who is Johnson's husband. Swift's ghost follows Johnson through her life to warn her that Farrell is attempting to kill her in the same manner he killed Swift.
Behind-the-scenes insights
The video, which premiered at the MTV Video Music Awards, was shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, known as Chivo. Sharing behind-the-scenes snaps with Johnson and Farrell, Swift wrote on Instagram: "The Patient Zero video is finally out in the world!"
"Getting to work with @chivexp was something out of a dream sequence, and I learned so much from getting to watch his genius in action." She added: "I want to thank @dakotajohnson and Colin for trusting me with their time, taste, and talent (Giggling with your friend because you’re twinning for an entire shoot was a new and truly delightful experience)."
Swift praised Farrell's performance, writing: "And Colin’s turn as a villain is even more impressive when you get to be around him. He’s an absolute light and as kind as they come." She also thanked Cara Delevingne for playing "the lusty other woman," adding: "That’s what friends are for?"
Creative inspiration and themes
Swift explained the video's creative direction: "With the Patient Zero video, I got to explore the cinematic and literary genres I love so much. I wanted to incorporate elements of gothic ghost stories, true crime, psychological thrillers all in a setting I hadn’t really shot in much."
She described the setting: "The house was a metaphor for the coldness of a relationship that’s faded and atrophied." Swift thanked production designer Ethan Tobman and her editor, Chancler, for their work, and expressed gratitude to the VMAs for giving the video a world premiere.
Johnson's reaction and song meaning
Last week, Johnson said it was "absolutely glorious" starring in the video. "Taylor and I have been really good friends for a long time, and we’re constantly talking about work and art and life, and you know we just ended up making this together, and it was absolutely glorious," she said.
Patient Zero is the first of four new songs on Swift's expanded version of The Life of A Showgirl, marking her first new music since she married NFL star Travis Kelce on July 3. The lyrics tell the story of a jaded lover reflecting on her "toxic" ex and warning his future suitors, with Swift thought to be "patient zero" in the song.
On Sunday, Swift became the most decorated artist in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards. Previously tied with Beyonce on 30 VMA gongs, she took home the night's top award, video of the year, for The Fate of Ophelia, and also received the first award for artist director and best direction for Opalite.
