It was a vibrant celebration bridging Hollywood’s storied past and its dynamic present at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Saturday night. A-list stars, visionary filmmakers, and major fashion icons gathered under one roof to honor three of the industry’s most influential figures: legendary director John Carpenter, acclaimed actress Charlize Theron, and versatile star Colman Domingo.
The star-studded sixth annual gala successfully brought together elite actors, directors, and cultural personalities. The high-profile guest list featured a formidable lineup of talent, including Demi Moore, Kim Kardashian, A$AP Rocky, Kate Hudson, Jacob Elordi, Sabrina Carpenter, and Pamela Anderson. Presented in partnership with Rolex, the prestigious evening raised more than $14 million. These critical funds will directly support the museum’s ongoing exhibitions, expansive educational initiatives, and diverse public programming as the institution marks its milestone five-year anniversary since opening its doors.
A Reign of Terror: Horror Takes Center Stage
On the red carpet, the genre of horror quickly emerged as a dominant and recurring topic of conversation. This thematic focus was heavily inspired by the museum’s major new exhibition, “The Horror Show,” as well as its long-overdue institutional recognition of John Carpenter. As the visionary filmmaker behind monumental genre-defining classics like “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “Escape From New York,” Carpenter’s influence on modern cinema is immeasurable.
For actor Ray Nicholson, the evening’s horror theme hit remarkably close to home in more ways than one.
“My dad was in ‘The Shining,’ so I feel like I really identify with Danny,” said the actor, son of screen icon Jack Nicholson, flashing a laugh as he referenced the young boy in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 1980 psychological horror masterpiece. “I feel in part like I was growing up in a horror film myself. So it’s too close to home for me often, but I do enjoy it.”
Dressed impeccably in a sleek black suit by The Row, Nicholson was looking forward to catching up with his “The Mosquito Bowl” castmates, a group that includes Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgård, and Tom Francis. Yet, he cheekily admitted to having a different priority on his mind.
“But my answer that I have to tell is that I’m excited to see Taylor Swift the most, obviously,” he smiled, lowering his voice for effect. “My girlfriend’s a really big fan,” he went on, dropping to a confidential whisper. “I’m not the biggest fan.”
What the young actor entirely failed to realize during the interview was that Taylor Swift was standing directly behind him, calmly posing for photographers in a breathtaking custom light-blue tulle Dior gown designed by Jonathan Anderson.
“Is she really? Don’t tell me that. You’re kidding,” he reacted in genuine surprise upon learning the pop superstar was mere inches away.
Celebrating a Pioneer: John Carpenter Receives the Luminary Award
For his part, John Carpenter took time to reflect on receiving the evening’s prestigious Luminary Award, an honor specifically designed to recognize artists whose profound contributions have continually expanded the artistic boundaries and possibilities of filmmaking.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Carpenter said with characteristic humility. “When I was 8 years old, I decided I wanted to be a director, and I got to be one. Nothing better in the world.”
The filmmaker expressed profound satisfaction at seeing horror finally embraced and celebrated by a major film institution after decades of being relegated to the cinematic fringes.
“The fact that horror is being recognized after all these years as a major influence in cinema and is now mainstream rocks,” Carpenter added.
Few individuals in the industry were more eager to celebrate Carpenter’s legacy than fellow director Robert Rodriguez. Arriving in a sharp suit accessorized with a striking turquoise bolo tie—which he fondly described as his signature “Texas tuxedo”—Rodriguez shared the practical origins of his unconventional red-carpet neckwear.
“I didn’t have a tie, so I literally have a bunch of bolos,” he explained, noting that bolo ties are traditionally worn to formal occasions back in his home state. “People ignore the fact that I don’t have it buttoned all the way to the top, which is why I never wear a suit.”
For Rodriguez, presenting the Luminary Award to Carpenter was an intensely personal and emotional milestone.
“He’s the one filmmaker who truly inspired me to be a filmmaker,” Rodriguez said, recalling his modest upbringing in San Antonio as one of 10 children in a low-income family.
At just 13 years old, Rodriguez became utterly transfixed by the theatrical trailer for “Escape From New York,” returning to cinemas repeatedly just to catch glimpses of it. He eventually resorted to bringing a cassette tape recorder into the auditorium to capture the film’s distinctive audio, taking the tape home to replay while vividly imagining the visuals.
Carpenter’s independent spirit—his remarkable ability to craft commercially successful, culturally resonant films entirely outside the traditional Hollywood studio system—provided Rodriguez with the confidence and blueprint to pursue his own cinematic dreams. He even enthusiastically adopted Carpenter’s trademark practice of composing the musical scores for his own films.
“That’s how directly I wanted to be like him,” Rodriguez said. “This is so full circle for me.”
Iconic actress Jamie Lee Curtis also offered a glowing tribute to Carpenter, the man who cast her in the original 1978 slasher masterpiece “Halloween,” a role that instantly launched her into superstardom and defined her legendary career.
“This man gave me my life. This man gave me my entire career,” Curtis declared on the carpet.
The Evolution and Appeal of Modern Horror
Actress Carla Gugino, who has steadily established herself as modern horror royalty through standout performances in projects like “Gerald’s Game,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” shared her own evolving relationship with the genre.
“I never would have considered myself a horror fan per se,” she admitted. However, spending years immersed in dark storytelling has given her a profound appreciation for what the genre can achieve.
“The heightened nature of horror allows us to sort of shine light on certain truths in a different way,” she explained, noting its unique capacity to unpack complex, deeply human emotions while simultaneously thrilling, frightening, and entertaining audiences.
Gugino also took a moment to praise the gala’s other honorees, reserving special warmth for Colman Domingo, whom she affectionately described as “one of the kindest human beings that I know.”
1950s Glamour Meets Contemporary Runway Fashion
As is tradition with the Academy Museum Gala, fashion served as a major focal point of the evening, acting as a natural bridge between the international design community and Hollywood’s most photographed talent. Taking place just weeks after the spring collections concluded their runs across New York, London, Milan, and Paris, the event offered top fashion houses another premier opportunity to bring their freshest runway concepts to life on the red carpet. Previous years have seen stunning moments like Ayo Edebiri in Chanel, Monica Barbaro in Dior, and Elle Fanning in Balenciaga, demonstrating just how swiftly runway looks translate into red-carpet triumphs.
This year’s sartorial landscape leaned heavily into mid-century 1950s Hollywood glamour, with soft pastels emerging as a definitive and widespread trend. Taylor Swift’s custom Dior dress channeled the classic Hitchcockian elegance of “To Catch a Thief”; actress Gemma Chan arrived in a striking pink Prada gown echoing Gwyneth Paltrow’s memorable 1999 Academy Awards look; and Alexa Demie chose a delicate light green Chanel creation. Vintage pieces also enjoyed a prominent moment in the spotlight, with Kim Kardashian wearing Balenciaga and Odessa A’zion selecting Giorgio Armani, underscoring the increasingly insider-driven nature of contemporary red-carpet styling.
Structural peplums and bold, three-dimensional embellishments introduced elements of fantasy and avant-garde drama. Nicolas Ghesquière’s Louis Vuitton creations were brought to life by Chase Infiniti and Sophie Thatcher, while Antonin Tron made his Hollywood red-carpet debut with a masterfully draped, custom Balmain ensemble worn by Elizabeth Debicki.
Model Iris Law chose a look straight from Ann Demeulemeester’s spring collection, explaining her personal style philosophy.
“I like androgynous, eclectic looks,” Law said. “I want something to have an element of boldness, but then also femininity, or modern and vintage. I love contrast.”
Attending the gala for the first time, Law expressed particular excitement for the intimate program inside.
“I love that you get such an intimate moment with each of these people,” she noted. “It’s such an intimate room, and it’s such an honor.”
Amy Homma, the director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Academy Collection, cleverly leaned into the evening’s dominant horror motif by wearing a strapless, custom red gown designed by Jason Wu.
“He completely understood the mood and the theme for this year,” she said of Wu, smiling broadly when the dress’s striking hue was affectionately characterized as “slasher red.”
Co-chaired by Robert Rodriguez, Tom Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, the triumphant sixth annual gala firmly underscored the museum’s growing stature and cultural permanence in Los Angeles just five years after its grand opening.
“We’re seeing more and more film artists and the entertainment industry come through to participate and collaborate and want to work with us,” Homma reflected, capturing the spirit of an institution that continues to honor cinematic history while boldly embracing its future.
