Kerry Washington Stuns in White at the ‘Animals’ Premiere as Ben Affleck’s Thriller Releases

Laura Bais
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Netflix’s fall lineup is filled with major stars, but few projects boast as much star power as ‘Animals‘. This gripping kidnapping thriller is directed and co-written by Ben Affleck, who also stars, and it is set to debut on Netflix and in select theaters on Oct. 9. Ahead of its release, the cast took over Los Angeles for the film’s world premiere.

Produced in collaboration with Artists Equity, the studio founded by Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale, the film features a script co-written by Affleck, Connor McIntyre, and Billy Ray, with cinematography by Robert Elswit.

The premiere occurred on Thursday, Oct. 1, turning the red carpet into a showcase for the film’s ensemble cast. Among the standout looks was Kerry Washington, whose appearance was highlighted by Variety, noting that she stunned at the ‘Animals’ red carpet.

At 49, Washington wore a striking white one-shoulder gown that contrasted beautifully with the dark city lights. The floor-length dress featured an asymmetrical draped shoulder and a cutout at the waist. She opted for minimal accessories, pairing the dress with a zebra-print clutch and white pointed shoes, allowing the gown to take center stage.

Her outfit was perfectly suited for the occasion. Against the backdrop of the oversized ‘Animals’ signage and Netflix branding, Washington’s all-white ensemble made her one of the most photographed attendees of the night. Fiction Horizon described her look as minimalist glamour, highlighting it as one of the most discussed moments from the premiere.

Washington posed alongside Affleck, joined by co-stars Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Adriana Paz. Ray Fisher was also in attendance, while Gillian Anderson was absent. Damon walked the carpet with his wife Luciana, and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos joined the cast for a selfie.

In ‘Animals’, Affleck portrays Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. Washington plays his wife Abigail. As they scramble to gather the ransom, they become entangled in a web of deception, forced to confront choices and secrets that could shatter their lives.

With their wealth largely tied up in Mark’s campaign, the couple must navigate the city’s perilous underworld to secure 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 their son. According to Screen Rant, the trailer reveals the couple being pushed to unveil their darkest secrets to one another.

The film’s journey to Netflix has seen some changes. Initially announced as a reunion for Affleck and Damon, production was restarted in February 2025 with Damon stepping away due to his commitment to ‘The Odyssey’. Affleck took on the lead role, with Washington stepping in to replace Jennifer Garner as the female lead.

Anderson officially joined the cast at that time, along with Yeun, Méndez, and Paz. These changes have helped the film emerge as a standout ensemble thriller. Netflix has also leveraged its familiar faces, as Washington, Anderson, and Yeun have all starred in successful titles for the platform.

For Washington, ‘Animals’ marks her first film role of 2026 and her second consecutive movie with Netflix. She previously starred in the third ‘Knives Out’ film, ‘Wake Up Dead Man’. Additionally, she is set to star in and executive produce ‘An Innocent Girl’, a Netflix thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, featuring James Marsden and Colman Domingo among the cast.

This keeps Washington prominently featured at the streamer as awards season approaches, explaining the excitement surrounding her premiere appearance, given her role as a lead in this high-profile fall release.

With the premiere now behind them, the cast is focused on the film’s upcoming release. ‘Animals’ will be available on Netflix on Friday, Oct. 9, alongside a limited theatrical run. Netflix has already released a teaser and a full trailer, with early buzz indicating it could be another intense thriller for Affleck as both director and star.

While Washington’s white gown may have been the fashion highlight of the evening, the film itself will ultimately determine if the premiere buzz translates into streaming success.

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