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Scarlett Johansson (41) Proves Office-Chic Can Still Steal the Red Carpet at the ‘Paper Tiger’ Premiere

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Few festival slots carry the prestige of opening night at the New York Film Festival, and this year that honor belonged to ‘Paper Tiger’, James Gray’s new crime drama starring Scarlett Johansson. For the actress, the evening was also a long-awaited chance to celebrate the film in person. She had missed its splashy debut earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, where the movie competed for the Palme d’Or.

The film is set in 1986 and follows 2 brothers, Irwin and Gary Pearl, whose get-rich-quick plan to help clean up the Gowanus Canal puts them in the crosshairs of the Russian mafia. Johansson plays Linda, the wife of Miles Teller’s character, while Adam Driver rounds out the central trio. Interestingly, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong were originally attached before other commitments led to Johansson and Teller replacing them.

On September 25, the film opened the 64th New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall with its North American premiere. And Johansson didn’t arrive alone, turning the evening into a date night with her husband of nearly 6 years, ‘Saturday Night Live’ star Colin Jost.

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The outing was a notable one for the couple. It marked their first joint red carpet appearance in more than a year, with their last shared walk coming at the 2025 Emmy Awards.

What really caught eyes, though, was Johansson’s refreshingly understated look. The 41-year-old wore a sleeveless gray minidress by Prada, a clear nod to her relationship with the Italian label. The figure-hugging style felt almost office-ready, yet it still commanded attention against the festival’s backdrop.

The accessories did the heavy lifting. She paired the dress with silver heels, several rings, a bracelet, and a light pink Prada bag, finishing with a bold red lip and her signature tousled blonde waves.

Jost coordinated perfectly. He went with gray as well, wearing a suit with faint lines and a checkered pattern paired with a pink shirt and burgundy tie. The matching palettes made the pair look effortlessly in sync, with the soft pink accents tying their outfits together.

Johansson’s appearance was no small effort. According to Variety, a very jet-lagged Johansson took a break from filming to reunite with Driver and Teller for the premiere, even joking about how tired she felt. She joined her co-stars and Gray onstage for a post-screening panel.

During that Q&A, the cast and director reflected on the close camaraderie they built during production. Fans online also shared a sweet moment of Johansson holding hands with Teller’s wife, Keleigh Teller, on the carpet.

The premiere was another milestone for the director. ‘Paper Tiger’ is Gray’s fourth film selected by the New York Film Festival, following ‘The Immigrant’, ‘The Lost City of Z’ and ‘Armageddon Time’.

Early reception has been encouraging as well. The film currently holds an 85% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s generating awards buzz ahead of its US release on November 13. The 2026 edition of the festival kicked off on Friday and runs through October 12, with titles such as ‘Behemoth!’ and ‘Artificial’ also premiering at Lincoln Center.

Still, few arrivals matched the effortless polish of Johansson and Jost’s coordinated moment. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest outfit makes the biggest statement, especially when it’s worn with confidence and the right partner by your side.

What do you think of Scarlett Johansson’s minimalist Prada look at the Paper Tiger premiere?

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