Janelle Monae stuns in sleeveless black gown at drive-in screening in LA for horror movie Antebellum
Her latest film Antebellum will be released on demand on Friday, rather than open as planned in theatres, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And against the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Janelle Monae headlined a socially-distanced outdoor screening of the horror movie in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Monae and several of her co-stars attended the event that took the form of a drive-in screening on the rooftop of a parking structure at The Grove shopping center.
Premiere in the time of pandemic: Janelle Monae headlined a socially-distanced outdoor screening of her new horror movie Antebellum in Los Angeles on Sunday night
Ahead of the screening, Monae, 34, posed for photos in a gorgeous full-length black gown.
She showed off her cleavage in the sleeveless number that featured a tight bodice, cinched waist and full skirt.
She accessorized with several choker necklaces, a pair of drop earrings and a black and white clutch purse.
Joining Monae were castmembers Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons and Jena Malone along with the film's writer/producer and director duo Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz.
Headliner: Monae, 34, looked stunning in a gorgeous sleeveless black gown that featured a tight bodice, cinched waist and full skirt
Natural beauty: She accessorized with several choker necklaces and a pair of drop earrings
Safety first: Castmembers showed up wearing face masks with a butterfly theme, representing the movie's logo. Californians are required to wear face coverings in public due to coronavirus
Former child star Malone, 35, opted for smart casual for her appearance.
She paired blue denim shorts with a buttoned up white blouse and a black blazer.
She stepped out in black heels and wore her hair styled back from her face which was made up with a splash of scarlet red lip color.
Huston, 37, also kept things relaxed, pairing a black t-shirt and black trousers with a dark red zipper jacket.
Meanwhile, Clemons, 26, showed up in a shiny silver suit of tailored jacket and loose-fitting pants which she wore with a white crop top and chunky black shoes.
Smart casual: Jena Malone co-stars in the film and put on a leggy show in blue denim shorts paired with a buttoned up white blouse, black blazer and black heels
Sleek: The former child star, 35, wore her hair styled back from her face which was made up with a splash of scarlet red lip color
Pivotal role: Actor Jack Huston, 37, kept things relaxed, pairing a black t-shirt and black trousers with a dark red zipper jacket
Rocked a look: Actress Kiersey Clemons, 26, showed up in a shiny silver suit of tailored jacket and loose-fitting pants which she wore with a white crop top and chunky black shoes
In Antebellum, Monae plays a modern-day woman transported back in time to a pre-Civil War plantation in the South.
The film follows her as she attempts to escape from the slavery she finds herself in and get back to her own time period, bringing other slaves with her.
At Sunday night's screening, Monae told Variety that the movie 'reminds us that the past is not the past.
She explained: 'The past is not even dead and I think the film is very timely and does a great job, an exceptional job of linking and connecting the dots of the past, the present and what could be our future.'
The actress added: 'I'm very honored to stand here and represent for Black women who have been dismantling white supremacy and systemic racism for centuries.'
Antebellum had originally been scheduled to open in theatres back in April but was postponed and then slated for video on demand due to the pandemic.
Movie night: The event took the form of a drive-in screening on the rooftop of a parking structure at The Grove shopping center in LA
Nightmarish tale: In Antebellum, Monae plays a modern-day woman transported back in time to a pre-Civil War plantation in the South where she finds herself enslaved
Theme: Monae told Variety the horror film 'is very timely and does a great job, an exceptional job of linking and connecting the dots of the past, the present and what could be our future'
Grabbed attention: Supporting actress Lily Cowles, 33, flashed skin in a black pant suit with a very low-cut, see-through black lace bodice
Colorful: Gabourey Sidibe, 37, who also has a role in the movie, brought some glamour with a pretty red floral print dress worn off the shoulder and matching sandal heels
Eye-catching: Model Achok Majak, 28, turned heads in a metallic gray ensemble and towering statement shoes
Big night: London Boyce, six, who appears in the movie, wore a white tulle dress decorated with butterflies
Streaming release: Antebellum had originally been scheduled to open in theatres back in April but was postponed due to the pandemic. It will be available as video on demand from Friday