Kirsten Dunst captivates on the red carpet, nestling close to husband Jesse Plemons at the 41st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood.
Red Carpet Elegance
The 43-year-old actress, nominated for Best Supporting Performance in the 2025 film Roofman, turns heads in a flowing long dress adorned with vibrant floral patterns. A slender yellow strip cinches her midriff, adding a distinctive touch. Her blonde hair cascades in soft waves over her shoulders, parted elegantly to the side.
Dunst keeps accessories minimal to highlight the gown. Her makeup features mascara-accented lashes, shimmering gold eyeshadow, pink blush on the cheeks, and a satin nude lip for a timeless look.
Plemons complements her in a sharp black suit over a blue shirt. The couple shares warm moments, with Plemons’ arm around her waist as they pose together. Dunst exchanges a loving glance with him and later hugs actor Wagner Moura of The Secret Agent.
Spotlight on Roofman
Dunst portrays Leigh in the comedic drama Roofman, released in October 2025. The story tracks a fugitive who hides in a toy store, assumes a new identity, and sparks a risky romance with an employee. Directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Light Between Oceans), the true-story adaptation stars Channing Tatum, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Peter Dinklage, Lily Collins, and Ben Mendelsohn.
Dunst recalls her instant commitment: “The director, Derek Cianfrance, gave me a little ringy-dingy and said, ‘Will you play this part?’ And the answer was yes, immediately.” She describes herself as “a director-driven gal, for sure. That’s my whole experience. I’m a part of their vision. It’s all in their hands.”
Family and Career Balance
Mother to seven-year-old Ennis and four-year-old James—whom she married Plemons in 2022—Dunst prioritizes family. She expresses interest in directing but hesitates: “I would like to direct one day, but I think it’ll be so all-encompassing. I have two very young children, so I don’t feel great about doing that.”
At the Red Sea International Film Festival’s In Conversation event, she discusses selectivity post-motherhood: “I have been burnt out before, and I haven’t sustained that energy of being able to have a work-life balance.” Now, she waits for meaningful projects: “I have two kids. I’ve been enjoying just being a mum and then just waiting for projects that really mean something to me.”
Motherhood brings “fearlessness in my acting,” she notes, crediting her supportive circle: “I’ve been very lucky that I have surrounded myself with good people, and I have a wonderful husband, and people that don’t get caught up in the frivolous parts of this industry.”
Plemons’ Awards Momentum
Plemons earns a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards) on March 1. He stars in 2025’s Bugonia, a black comedy thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, featuring Emma Stone and Aidan Delbosco. The film secures four Academy Award nods, including Best Picture.
