The dramatic crime thriller was directed by three-time Academy Award winner Oliver Stone. John Travolta is among the ensemble cast.
"He's genius," Travolta said about Stone. "He wants you to do the best performance. He watches you like a hawk. He really forces you to do your best work and then you come up with the things he paid you for, which is your own interpretation. He's quite brilliant."
Travolta's thoughts are echoed by co-star Blake Lively, who plays the kidnap victim.
"It's got a passion and a feminine sense that I've never seen in his movies before," Lively said. "It's poetic and Shakespearian in ways. To be able to work with such an iconic director, but to see him do something with his stamp, but then have a whole different style and twist on his own approach, that was cool to be a part of."
Johnson said that not only is it a great thriller, it's a drama and love story.
"Savages" also stars Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro and Damian Bichir. It's rated R.
