Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara turned heads on the red carpet but it was Mara’s show-stopping ensemble that sparked a heated debate online.

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara made a stunning appearance at the Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala on October 19. The couple graced the red carpet with undeniable charm, showcasing their fashion flair for all to see.

Phoenix, 49, donned a classic suit complemented by a stylish bowtie, exuding sophistication and class. Meanwhile, Mara, 39, captured attention in a vintage Givenchy gown that was as unique as it was bold.

As she posed for the cameras, Phoenix showed his devotion. He bent down to smooth out the train of her gown with meticulous care, ensuring every detail was perfect.

As photos of the couple made rounds online, Mara’s daring fashion choice sparked a wave of reactions. Critics took to the internet to express their opinions, with some labeling her outfit a “nightgown.”

Others questioned its appropriateness for such a prestigious event. “It looks like she’s wearing a curtain and it’s see-through. Thank God she has underwear on,” one user wrote. Another chimed in with, “Even my grandma would not wear Rooney’s slip, sorry.”

The critiques didn’t stop there; one harsh assessment described the ensemble as “a nightgown with granny panties.” Another user bluntly stated that it resembled “adult diapers” and “somebody’s curtain.”

The online discourse didn’t shy away from being observant either. Some users noted that the gown appeared to add visual weight, commenting, “It made her look bigger than what she is.” Another called the dress and pants “silly.” As the critiques piled up, one person even asked, “Who did this to her????[sic]”

Amidst the criticism, others appreciated Mara’s distinctive style. “Rooney, what a lady! So talented!” exclaimed one admirer, while another chimed in with, “They both look amazing.” A third fan declared Mara’s look as “perfection,” and someone else sweetly noted, “The look was definitely giving Greek goddess ❤️.”

While Mara’s sheer Givenchy couture gown and white hot pants might seem simple at first, they’re rich in fashion history. This stunning gown comes from John Galliano’s Fall 1996 couture collection for Givenchy.

This collection is famous for bringing the empire waist silhouette back into the spotlight, making it a significant moment in fashion history.

Mara took a refreshing approach to styling the dress. Instead of following the original runway look, which included an elaborate beaded headdress and embellished white briefs, she kept things minimalist. She slicked her hair back into a chic bun and paired the look with simple bottoms and elegant ankle-strap sandals.

This isn’t the first time Phoenix and Mara have grabbed people’s attention. On September 2, the Hollywood couple were spotted out during the prestigious 81st Venice International Film Festival in Italy.

A photo of the duo, which shows Mara cradling seemingly their newborn in her arms, garnered varied responses from the public, with some expressing surprise at the fact that the couple had another baby.

Dressed casually for their outing, the “Joker” star sported a black T-shirt, black pants, sneakers, and stylish glasses. Mara, who was in full mom mode with her and Phoenix’s baby nestled safely in one arm under a gray blanket sling, donned blue jeans, a long coat, ballet flats, and black shades.

Online observers were taken aback by the family’s appearance. In the comment section of a Reddit post about the couple’s Venice Film attendance, one user expressed, “Thank you to this post for reminding me that Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are a couple.”

This comment was made even though Mara and Phoenix have been an item for quite some time now, since meeting on the set of “Her” in 2012. The pair then got privately engaged in 2019.

That same year (2019), Mara’s fiancé shared some words about how their relationship came to be in a Vanity Fair interview. “She’s the only girl I ever looked up on the internet. We were just friends, email friends. I’d never done that. Never looked up a girl online,” divulged Phoenix.

Some people weren’t even aware that Mara and Phoenix had another child. “Did Joaquin and Rooney have another kid? I didn’t think River was born that recently but time gets away from me,” penned an onlooker.

“Is there a baby or broken arm under Rooney Mara’s blanket? Cuz it doesn’t look [like] ‘fashion’ as much as [it looks] awkward,” mentioned an observer. An X user pondered, “Is that [a] baby she’s hiding from [the] paparazzi?”

“Rooney just had a second baby,” stated a social media user. Chiming in with another comment about the newborn, another user observed, “Looks like Rooney is holding their new baby.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Mara welcomed their second baby after the actress debuted her baby bump at the premiere of “La Cocina” during the Berlin Film Festival, which took place in February. Pictures show the star dressed in a long black dress and cradling her pregnant belly as she posed for the cameras.

Mara’s pregnancy reveal came four years after she and Joaquin Phoenix welcomed their firstborn son, River, in 2020. The little boy is named after his father’s late brother, who passed away in 1993.

After River was born, Mara shared some candid reflections about her life as a then-new mom in an open letter that was part of a Mother’s Day campaign by Farm Sanctuary.

Her words, which were shared with People magazine, read, “As a new mom, Mother’s Day has taken on a special meaning this year. Raising our baby, River, has opened my heart to a whole new life filled with hope and more determination than ever to create a kinder and more sustainable world.”