Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding Cast After Bizarre Perfume Ad Dance

Hideo Kojima, the renowned game designer, has disclosed that he cast actress Margaret Qualley in the role of Mama in the video game Death Stranding after being captivated by her performance in a Spike Jonze-directed fragrance advertisement for Kenzo.

On April 25, Kojima shared the viral commercial on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding." The advertisement features Qualley dancing energetically to a bass-heavy track, reminiscent of the iconic Fat Boy Slim video "Weapon of Choice," which showcased Christopher Walken's dance moves.

In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama, also known as Målingen, a pivotal character within the organization Bridges. Mama is depicted as one of the most innovative scientists in the United Cities of America, alongside her twin sister Lockne, also played by Qualley. Together, they are responsible for the creation of the Chiral Network, a crucial communications system that facilitates instant data transfer across the game's world.

The Kenzo fragrance ad showcases Qualley in a unique and captivating dance routine, characterized by intense movements, facial expressions, and even moments where she appears to fire lasers from her fingers. The performance, which includes sequences where Qualley seems to struggle with controlling her limbs, has been described as both bizarre and highly entertaining. You can watch the full performance [ttpp].

Kojima's decision to cast Qualley based on this advertisement has sparked reactions from fans on social media. One fan praised Kojima, saying, "You are a visionary, Kojima-san," while another humorously remarked, "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."

Currently, Kojima is engaged in multiple projects, including Death Stranding 2, set to release on June 26, 2025, a live-action Death Stranding film in collaboration with A24, and OD, a game published by Xbox that Kojima describes as "a game I have always wanted to make." Additionally, he is working on a PlayStation exclusive action espionage project, further expanding his creative endeavors.