Johansson made her debut in the film industry in the fantasy comedy North (1994) when she was just nine years old, playing John Ritter’s kid. She claims that while she was working on the movie set, she had an innate understanding of what to accomplish. Later on in her career, she appeared in films in supporting parts, such as an art student in If Lucy Fell and the daughter of Sean Connery and Kate Capshaw’s characters in the mystery thriller Just Cause.
In the film Manny & Lo, Johansson made her debut in the major role of Amanda, the younger sister of a pregnant adolescent who flees from her foster family. She co-starred in the film with Aleksa Palladino and her brother, Hunter. Her performance was praised by critics; for example, the San Francisco Chronicle had this to say about it: “the film grows on you, largely because of the charm of Scarlett Johansson.”
Meanwhile, a writer named Mick LaSalle, writing for the same publication, made a remark about her “peaceful aura” and stated that she had the potential to become a significant actress “if she can get through puberty with that aura undisturbed.” As a result of her performance in the role, Johansson was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in the category of Best Lead Female.