Scarlett Johansson does not do many red carpets in red. When she does, it lands. At the world premiere of Brad Bird's animated film Ray Gunn at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the 41-year-old arrived at the Royal Festival Hall in a vivid red Hermès dress, and the back of it got as much attention as the front.

The dress: strapless scarlet satin with a practical twist

Just Jared identified the dress as Hermès. Fiction Horizon described it as a strapless satin design with a gathered, structured bodice and a full skirt that fell just past the knee. The detail that made the photos was a casual one: Johansson posed with her hands tucked into the dress's pockets, which kept a formal colour from feeling stiff.

The shape is classic 1950s, which suited the film. Ray Gunn is set in Metropia, a giant city in an alternate future "as seen from 1939," according to the synopsis published by Just Jared. A full-skirted red dress against a retro-futuristic backdrop was an easy visual match.

The back tattoos everyone zoomed in on

The low back of the dress revealed Johansson's large back tattoo. The Daily Mail described it as a flower vine and lamb design that she got in 2017. Hello! Magazine described the black-and-grey piece as several large roses connected by twisting stems and leaves stretching across her upper back, with a smaller lamb beneath the flowers.

It is not new ink, but it is rarely this visible on a red carpet, which is why it trended. Much of her red carpet wardrobe in recent years has favoured higher backs or structured jackets.

Hair and jewellery: keeping it simple

The styling stayed out of the way. Her blonde hair was worn shoulder-length in soft, tousled waves, according to Fiction Horizon, and the Daily Mail noted strappy heels and a simple gold necklace. That single pendant was the only jewellery that stood out, a smart choice with a dress this saturated and a back this detailed.

If you want to copy the formula, it is three steps: one strong colour, one point of interest (here, the back), and everything else pared back. A lived-in wave instead of a polished blowout keeps it from looking like prom.

Her real-life beauty routine is just as low-key

In the same news cycle, Johansson talked about how little she does day to day. The Daily Mail quoted her describing her night routine as "pretty simple," starting with a micellar cleanser from her skincare brand. "I don't wear a full face of makeup every day, [just] foundation and concealer," she said. She added that her daytime makeup is usually concealer, mascara, "blush and a little eyeshadow, and that's it," and that with children to get to school, "I don't always have time to put makeup on."

She also said she takes a magnesium supplement and vegan collagen before bed, the latter on a friend's recommendation for thicker hair, while noting that her dermatologist did not back that claim.

About Ray Gunn

Johansson voices Venus Nova, a multimedia star, opposite Sam Rockwell as private eye Raymond Gunn, who is drawn into a case involving aliens and murder. Just Jared reported that Rockwell, Bird and composer Michael Giacchino joined her at the premiere. The voice cast also includes Bobby Cannavale, Tom Waits, Matt Berry, Alan Tudyk and Patton Oswalt. The film opens in select theatres on December 4 and streams on Netflix from December 18.

London's festival has been a run of strong beauty moments this autumn, much like the New York premieres we covered in "Emma Stone's First Red Carpet in Months: A Custom Louis Vuitton Slip, Remade From Paris in Grey."

FAQ

What did Scarlett Johansson wear to the Ray Gunn premiere? A strapless red satin Hermès dress with a full skirt and pockets, with strappy heels and a gold pendant necklace.

What are Scarlett Johansson's back tattoos? A black-and-grey design of roses on twisting stems with a small lamb beneath, which she got in 2017.

When does Ray Gunn come out? In select theatres on December 4, 2026, and on Netflix from December 18.

Who does Scarlett Johansson voice in Ray Gunn? Venus Nova, a multimedia star, opposite Sam Rockwell's detective Raymond Gunn.

Cover photo: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0