Thursday 3 October 2013

Penelope Cruz in full-on gothic glamour in striking lace gown at The Counselor screening

Penelope Cruz pulls out ALL the stops in full-on gothic glamour as she shows off her hourglass figure in striking lace gown at The Counselor screening

PUBLISHED: 19:19, 3 October 2013 | UPDATED: 19:52, 3 October 2013She only gave birth to her second child in July.

But Penelope Cruz was well and truly back on the red carpet with a bang as she pulled out all the sartorial stops at a special screening of her new movie, The Counselor, at London's Odeon West End on Thursday night.

The 39-year-old actress opted for a look of full-on gothic glamour as she showed off her awe-inspiring hourglass figure in a striking full-length lace gown.

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Gothic glamour: Penelope Cruz pulled out all the sartorial stops at a special screening of her new movie, The Counselor, at London's Odeon West End on Thursday night

Clinging to every curve, the breathtaking dress featured an unusual black and gold lace overlay with elongated sleeves, providing an attractive contrast against the simple black bandeau underneath.

Positively smouldering as she hit the red carpet in the capital, the Oscar-winning actress teamed her incredible gown with a simple gold clutch bag and a dazzling sapphire and diamond ring.

The Spanish beauty appeared to have opted for a subtle ombre look, having dyed the lower section of her raven locks a lighter shade - and wore her tumbling curls swept to the side in a dramatic cascade.

Red carpet goddess: The 39-year-old actress opted for a look of full-on gothic glamour as she showed off her awe-inspiring hourglass figure in a striking full-length lace gown

Vamping it up: Clinging to every curve, the breathtaking dress featured an unusual black and gold lace overlay with elongated sleeves, providing an attractive contrast against the simple black bandeau underneath

Rain rain, go away! Penelope didn't let a sudden London downpour ruin her big red carpet moment

Centre of attention: The Oscar-winning beauty ensured all eyes were well and truly on her as she commanded attention on the red carpet

Penelope completed her look with stunning bronze eye make-up to accentuate her chocolate brown eyes and a slick of simple nude lipstick.

While the actress stars in The Counselor alongside off-screen husband Javier Bardem, the pair didn't pose together on the red carpet.

Instead, the Oscar-winning actor larked around with co-star Michael Fassbender - who plays Penelope's fiance in the upcoming thriller - as they posed for photographs.

Rocking the red carpet: Positively smouldering as she hit the red carpet in the capital, the Oscar-winning actress teamed her incredible gown with a simple gold clutch bag and a dazzling sapphire and diamond ring

A new look: The Spanish beauty appeared to have opted for a subtle ombre look, having dyed the lower section of her raven locks a lighter shade - and wore her tumbling curls swept to the side in a dramatic cascade

Striking: Penelope completed her look with stunning bronze eye make-up to accentuate her chocolate brown eyes and a slick of simple nude lipstick

Leading lady: The actress only gave birth to her second child in July, but already seemed to have regained her pre-baby body

Screen siren: The actress exuded old Hollywood glamour as she joined her co-stars at the special London screening

Both men looked every inch the dapper dude for their big moment, with both suited and booted to perfection in immaculately tailored two-pieces as they embraced in front of the cameras.

Also commanding attention on the red carpet was model Amber Anderson, who looked lovely in a monochrome minidress with a pretty collar and embellishment detailing.

Meanwhile, director Ridley Scott arrived at the screening with actress Giannina Facio on his arm, with the Costa Rican beauty looking positively incredible in a tight-fitting scarlet midi-dress with a daring plunging neckline.

The Counselor, directed by Oscar winner Scott, tells the tale of a lawyer (Fassbender) who finds himself over his head when he delves into the dark world of drug trafficking.

Found a replacement? While the actress stars in The Counselor alongside off-screen husband Javier Bardem, the pair didn't pose together on the red carpet

Showbiz chums: Instead, the Oscar-winning actor larked around with co-star Michael Fassbender - who plays Penelope's fiance in the upcoming thriller - as they posed for photographs

Suited and booted: Both men looked every inch the dapper dude for their big moment, with both suited and booted to perfection in immaculately tailored two-pieces

A true bro-mance: The pair looked thrilled to be reunited as they embraced on the red carpet

Plenty to talk about: The pair seemed to be deep in conversation as they chatted away in front of the cameras

Thriller: The Counselor, directed by Oscar winner Scott, tells the tale of a lawyer (Fassbender) who finds himself over his head when he delves into the dark world of drug trafficking

All together now: Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Ridley Scott and Javier Bardem all posed for a snap together before heading inside the screening

Cruz takes on the role of his naive fiance Laura, while Bardem plays tough-talking drug dealer Reiner.

Also starrring the likes of Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz, the movie marks the first on-screen reunion between husband-and-wife Penelope and Javier since 2008's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

It also reunites Brad with Ridley for the first time since 1991's cult classic Thelma & Louise and sees leading ladies Cruz and Diaz come together once again after their triumph in 2001 hit Vanilla Sky.

The Counselor is scheduled for release in the US on October 25, and in the UK on November 15.

Lady in red: Director Ridley Scott arrived at the screening with actress Giannina Facio on his arm, with the Costa Rican beauty looking positively incredible in a tight-fitting scarlet midi-dress with a daring plunging neckline