Kerry Washington (49) Stuns in White at the ‘Animals’ Premiere as Ben Affleck’s Netflix Thriller Nears Release
Netflix’s fall slate is packed with big names, but few projects carry as much star power as ‘Animals‘. The kidnapping thriller is directed and co-written by Ben Affleck, who also stars, and it arrives on Netflix and in select theaters on Oct. 9. Before it does, the cast took over Los Angeles for the film’s world premiere.
The film is produced in partnership with Artists Equity, the studio founded by Affleck, Matt Damon and Gerry Cardinale. Affleck co-wrote the script with Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray. Robert Elswit served as cinematographer.
The premiere took place Thursday, Oct. 1, and the red carpet turned into a showcase for the film’s ensemble. The look that got the most attention came from Kerry Washington. Variety shared a photo of the actress with the message that she stuns at the ‘Animals’ red carpet.
Kerry Washington stuns at the “Animals” red carpet pic.twitter.com/cvQkEstxqx
— Variety (@Variety) October 2, 2026
Washington, 49, wore a white one-shoulder gown that stood out against the dark city-lights backdrop. In the photo, the floor-length dress features an asymmetrical draped shoulder and a cutout at the waist. She kept accessories simple, adding a zebra-print clutch and white pointed shoes, which let the dress do most of the talking.
Kerry Washington says the “Animals” cast keeps telling Ben Affleck to run for office “but he doesn’t want to.” pic.twitter.com/VBVFdokksl
— Variety (@Variety) October 2, 2026
The look fit the occasion. Against the oversized ‘Animals’ signage and Netflix branding, the all-white outfit made her one of the most photographed guests of the night. Fiction Horizon described it as minimalist glamour, noting that her premiere look quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the film’s big night.
Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington on the carpet for the 'Animals' premiere in Los Angeles
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 2, 2026
(Photo: Getty) pic.twitter.com/FUgxMNOdwX
Washington posed alongside Affleck, and the pair were joined by co-stars Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Adriana Paz. Ray Fisher also attended, while Gillian Anderson was not at the event. Damon walked the carpet too, along with his wife Luciana, and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos joined the cast for a selfie.
Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington at the premiere of their new film, Animals pic.twitter.com/2034Q86Czo
— Netflix (@netflix) October 2, 2026
In the film, Affleck plays Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. Washington plays his wife Abigail. As the couple scrambles to raise the ransom, they are drawn into a web of deception and forced to make choices and reveal secrets that could tear their world apart.
With most of their wealth tied up in Mark’s campaign, the couple has to enter the city’s dangerous underworld to arrange the payment. Anderson plays Mark’s campaign advisor, and the cast also includes Yeun, Méndez, Paz, Fisher, Matt Gerald and newcomer Christopher Woodley, who plays the couple’s son. According to Screen Rant, the trailer shows the couple being pushed to reveal their darkest secrets to each other.
The film’s path to Netflix involved some changes. The project was first announced as a reunion for Affleck and Damon, but production restarted in February 2025 with Damon no longer in the cast because of his commitment to ‘The Odyssey’. Affleck took on the lead role himself, and Washington came aboard, replacing Jennifer Garner as the female lead.
Anderson officially joined the cast at that point too, along with Yeun, Méndez and Paz. The change has helped the film stand out as an ensemble thriller. Netflix has also leaned on its familiar faces, since Washington, Anderson and Yeun have all starred in hit titles for the streamer.
When their son is kidnapped, an LA mayoral candidate and his wife scramble to raise the ransom while making choices that could tear their world apart.
— Netflix (@netflix) September 15, 2026
Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, with Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez… pic.twitter.com/P2PGtOq4Kk
For Washington, ‘Animals’ is her first film role of 2026 and her second movie in a row with Netflix. She previously starred in the third ‘Knives Out’ film, ‘Wake Up Dead Man’. She is also attached to star in and executive produce ‘An Innocent Girl’, a Netflix thriller from director Jaume Collet-Serra, with James Marsden and Colman Domingo among the cast.
That gives the actress a steady presence at the streamer as awards season approaches. It also helps explain the buzz around her premiere appearance, since she is positioned as one of the leads of a high-profile fall release.
With the premiere behind them, the cast now turns to the film’s release. ‘Animals’ hits Netflix on Friday, Oct. 9, with a limited theatrical run. Netflix has released a teaser and a full trailer, and early buzz suggests it could be another intense thriller for Affleck as both director and star.
Washington’s white gown may have been the fashion highlight of the evening, but the film itself will decide whether the premiere buzz carries over to the streaming charts.
What Do You Think of Kerry Washington’s White Premiere Look?
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