Amy Adams Shines in Arrival: A Masterful Blend of Sci-Fi Drama and Linguistic Mystery

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

The 2016 American science fiction drama film Arrival is one of Amy Adams’s most acclaimed films.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, it tells the story of Louise Banks, a linguist hired by the U.S. government to interpret the language of extraterrestrials.

Adams was drawn to the idea of playing an intellectual female lead, and she connected with the film’s theme of unity and compassion. She watched documentaries on linguistics in preparation for the role.

Despite being nominated for Best Actress at various prestigious awards like the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Screen Actors Guild awards, Critics Choice awards, and even the Saturn Awards, Amy Adams notably did not receive an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Louise Banks in Arrival, a decision widely regarded as a significant snub by critics, audiences, and major film organizationsDespite being nominated for Best Actress at various prestigious awards like the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Screen Actors Guild awards, Critics Choice awards, and even the Saturn Awards, Amy Adams notably did not receive an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Louise Banks in Arrival, a decision widely regarded as a significant snub by critics, audiences, and major film organizations (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Critics praised Adams’s performance, with The Atlantic calling it “mesmerizingly open, by turns uplifting and sorrowful.”

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times wrote that her performance was “a showcase for her ability to quietly and effectively meld intelligence, empathy and reserve.”

Arrival was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million against a production budget of $47 million. Adams received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Best Actress but was not nominated for an Oscar.

Amy Adams was Denis Villeneuve’s first choice for the role of Louise Banks in Arrival. She was drawn to the role because of its intelligence and compassion, and she agreed to the role within 24 hours of receiving the script.

In the 2016 science fiction film "Arrival," Amy Adams portrayed Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the United States Army to facilitate communication with extraterrestrials, with Jeremy Renner co-starring as Ian Donnelly, a physicist on the same communication teamIn the 2016 science fiction film “Arrival,” Amy Adams portrayed Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the United States Army to facilitate communication with extraterrestrials, with Jeremy Renner co-starring as Ian Donnelly, a physicist on the same communication team (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Adams did not know Mandarin before filming Arrival, but she worked with a dialect coach to learn the language. She also watched documentaries on linguistics and read books about the Chinese language. Despite her lack of prior knowledge, Adams’s performance in Arrival was praised by critics and audiences alike.

When the 2016 American science fiction drama film “Arrival” had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2016, the ages of the main cast members were as follows: Amy Adams was 42 years old, Jeremy Renner was 45 years old, and Forest Whitaker was 55 years old.

Amy Adams Stuns in Plunging Neckline Gown at London Film Festival

Amy Adams made a daring fashion statement at the premiere of "Arrival" by opting to go braless and flaunting her figure on the red carpetAmy Adams made a daring fashion statement at the premiere of “Arrival” by opting to go braless and flaunting her figure on the red carpet (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry / Mario Mitsis)

In October 2016, Amy Adams was seemingly on a fashion roll with her stunning sartorial choices while promoting Arrival.

Amy Adams's captivating toga-style gown featured intricate butterfly details near the hem, exuding total glamour while also daringly revealing plenty of cleavage in the racy ensembleAmy Adams’s captivating toga-style gown featured intricate butterfly details near the hem, exuding total glamour while also daringly revealing plenty of cleavage in the racy ensemble (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry / Mario Mitsis)

The Enchanted actress attended the London Film Festival Royal Bank of Canada Gala in London in a show-stopping gown with a plunging neckline that showed off her assets.

Amy Adams graced the red carpet in a Valentino Spring 2016 Couture white halter gown featuring a draped, cut-out shoulder detail, a deep V-neckline, and a printed hemAmy Adams graced the red carpet in a Valentino Spring 2016 Couture white halter gown featuring a draped, cut-out shoulder detail, a deep V-neckline, and a printed hem (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry / Mario Mitsis)

The then-42-year-old donned the Valentino Spring 2016 couture gown, which featured a plunging neckline and a butterfly print at the hem.

The actress capped it off with vintage Hollywood curls.

Amy Adams exuded elegant beauty while posing, and her hair was impeccably styled at the 'Arrival' Royal Bank Of Canada Gala screening during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival Amy Adams exuded elegant beauty while posing, and her hair was impeccably styled at the ‘Arrival’ Royal Bank Of Canada Gala screening during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, England. on October 10, 2016 (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry / Mario Mitsis)

“I’m blessed to work with a woman I respect and admire, she is the main reason I wanted to be part of this movie,” Jeremy Renner said on the red carpet. “How about Amy Adams for president? I’ll be her VP!”

Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, good friends and co-stars of the film Arrival, pose for photos at the Royal Bank Of Canada Gala screening during the 2016 BFI London Film FestivalAmy Adams and Jeremy Renner, good friends and co-stars of the film Arrival, pose for photos at the Royal Bank Of Canada Gala screening during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry / Mario Mitsis)

Since this dress is couture, it’s not available for purchase online. But here are a few alternatives that can help you achieve the same look.

Jay Ahr Gown1. Jay Ahr Gown, $2,835.00

J. Mendel Ella Deep V Neck Gown2. J. Mendel Ella Deep V Neck Gown, $5,200.00

Badgley Mischka Collection Off Shoulder Short Sleeve Gown3. Badgley Mischka Collection Off Shoulder Short Sleeve Gown, $595.00

Twobirds Lace Ballgown4. Twobirds Lace Ballgown, $440.00

What do you think of this look?