Hideo Kojima recently disclosed that he cast Margaret Qualley as Mama in Death Stranding after being captivated by her performance in a Spike Jonze-directed fragrance commercial for Kenzo. Sharing the viral ad on Twitter, Kojima noted, “I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding.”
The advert showcases Qualley executing a meticulously choreographed yet peculiar dance routine to a pulsating electronic track, reminiscent of Fatboy Slim's iconic Weapon of Choice music video featuring Christopher Walken.
In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama — Målingen — a pivotal figure in the United Cities of America’s Bridges organization. As a leading scientist, she co-founded the Chiral Network, a groundbreaking communication system enabling instantaneous data exchange. Her twin sister, Lockne, portrayed by Qualley herself, shares this scientific legacy.
The Kenzo commercial highlights Qualley’s unique movement style, featuring dramatic gestures, facial expressions, and even simulated laser emissions from her fingertips. The surreal sequence has garnered widespread attention online.
One admirer responded to Kojima’s tweet, praising him as a visionary, while another humorously suggested they too deserve the role.
Kojima continues his creative journey with projects such as Death Stranding 2, set for release on June 26, 2025, a live-action Death Stranding film produced by A24, and OD, developed for Xbox. Additionally, he is working on a PlayStation-exclusive action espionage title.
