Angelina Jolie Says Watching One of Her First Movies Made Her Feel Nauseous

Angelina Jolie was still a teenager in the early 1990s and eager to land her first serious acting job. At just seventeen, she was trying to find a way into Hollywood and say yes to real opportunities when one finally arrived.

That chance came in 1993 with Cyborg 2, a low-budget sci-fi sequel connected to a Jean-Claude Van Damme film, even though he did not appear in it. Jolie took the lead role, hoping it would be the start of something meaningful. At the time, she believed she was stepping into a real movie, not realizing how strange the final result would be.

In the film, Jolie played Casella Reese, a character almost everyone simply called Cash. Cash was a futuristic assassin built to look and act human, including showing emotions. This idea made filming easier, but it did little to help the story feel believable or smart.

The plot followed Cash as she slowly became self-aware and refused to carry out a mission that would kill her. What followed was a mix of awkward dialogue, basic action scenes, and very over-the-top moments that screamed 1990s sci-fi. One of the most memorable scenes involved her character being decapitated while still talking.

Years later, Jolie admitted that watching the movie for the first time was a horrible experience. In an interview with Buzzfeed, she openly said, Oh, I threw up. She made it clear it was not a joke and explained that she became physically sick from watching it.

She added, I did. I saw it, and I threw up. Just nausea. Jolie recalled her brother Jamie Haven holding her afterward and trying to comfort her, telling her everything would be fine. She remembered feeling embarrassed and disappointed, especially because this was supposed to be her big moment.

Despite how much she disliked the movie, Jolie has said there was one part she enjoyed. She liked the kickboxing training and noted it was the first time she had been sent to learn real fight choreography. That experience ended up shaping her future more than she realized at the time.

There is some irony in how Cyborg 2 helped push Jolie toward action roles, even though she hated the film itself. The physical skills she picked up eventually became a big part of her career. Later roles in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr and Mrs Smith, and Wanted turned her into one of the most recognizable action stars in the world.

Today, Jolie looks back at that early project with honesty and humor rather than regret. She has spoken openly about how young she was and how different her expectations were back then. Cyborg 2 may not be something she celebrates, but it played a small role in where she ended up.

As of February, Angelina Jolie is busy with several major projects. She recently appeared at the Paris premiere of Coutures, a fashion-focused drama directed by Alice Winocour, according to reports from the film’s press tour. The movie is set to be released widely later this month.

She has also been praised for her portrayal of Maria Callas in the biopic Maria, which has kept her in awards discussions. Looking ahead, Jolie is attached to projects like the thriller Maude v Maude alongside Halle Berry and Disney’s Maleficent 3, while also planning a move to Europe later this year.

Do you think rough early roles like Cyborg 2 helped shape Angelina Jolie into the fearless performer she became, or were they just growing pains on the way to success? Share your thoughts in the comments.