Hollywood veteran Willem Dafoe has sparked mixed reactions from fans after a video emerged showing the 70-year-old actor dancing in a black sleeveless dress, with some supporters expressing confusion and disappointment over the unconventional costume choice.
The video, shared on TikTok by user ZoëBLEU, captured the Spider-Man star performing small hip movements whilst wearing the black slip dress, paired with green slippers and an ornate necklace. The clip has rapidly gone viral across social media platforms, generating intense debate amongst the actor’s fanbase.
“One of my highlights of my life I think was getting Willem into this slip dress for Gonzo Girl,” the TikTok user captioned the post, referencing the comedy-drama film in which Dafoe stars alongside Camila Morrone and Patricia Arquette. The video has accumulated thousands of views and comments within hours of posting.
The costume choice relates to Dafoe’s role as Walker Reade in “Gonzo Girl”, Patricia Arquette’s directorial debut based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, features Dafoe as a Hunter S. Thompson-inspired character in the story about a young writer’s experience working as an assistant to the legendary gonzo journalist.
Fan reactions have been notably divided, with some celebrating the actor’s willingness to embrace unconventional roles whilst others expressed bewilderment at seeing the acclaimed performer in the unexpected attire. Comments ranged from supportive to confused, with many referencing Dafoe’s iconic roles in their responses.
“I’m something of a diva myself,” quipped one fan, cleverly adapting Dafoe’s famous line from 2002’s Spider-Man where his character Norman Osborn declares, “You know I’m something of a scientist myself.” The comment garnered significant attention for its witty connection between the dress-wearing moment and the actor’s beloved villain role.
On Reddit, reactions were more enthusiastic, with one user exclaiming, “I love him so much!!” The platform’s film communities largely praised Dafoe’s commitment to his craft and willingness to take creative risks even at 70 years old.
The video’s emergence follows Dafoe’s revelation in a 2023 WIRED autocomplete interview that dancing is among his favourite activities. “Absolutely. That’s my favorite thing to do,” the Lighthouse actor stated, though he clarified it was “only in certain circumstances.”
This is not Dafoe’s first foray into unconventional performance art. The actor recently appeared in the music video “Avrio Vrady” for Greek musical duo Gamma Gamma, where he showcased his dancing abilities. He has also participated in experimental theatre productions throughout his career, including work with The Wooster Group.
In the SmartLess podcast appearance in 2023, Dafoe explained that such creative projects often emerge from the need “to do something light and easy” following more intensive dramatic work. This philosophy appears to extend to his approach to roles like Walker Reade in Gonzo Girl.
The film itself represents a significant departure for both Dafoe and director Patricia Arquette. Set in 1992, it follows aspiring writer Alley Russo (Camila Morrone) as she becomes assistant to the eccentric and drug-addled author Walker Reade. Dafoe’s performance has been described as capturing both the charisma and chaos of the Thompson-esque character.
Some observers on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) noted that the dress actually suited the context of the film’s themes about breaking boundaries and challenging conventions. “Willem Dafoe in a newly shared video,” posted Film Crave’s official account, generating thousands of interactions.
Fashion-forward fans pointed out that Dafoe has never shied away from bold sartorial choices. The actor famously walked the runway for Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris, closing the presentation in grey trousers and a long trench coat. He previously walked Prada’s “Villains” runway in 2012 alongside Adrien Brody and Gary Oldman.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some conservative commentators expressed disappointment, with one source describing fans as “confused and disappointed” by the video. These critics questioned whether such costume choices were appropriate for an actor of Dafoe’s stature and career achievements.
The controversy echoes similar debates when established actors take on unconventional roles or appearances that challenge traditional expectations. Dafoe’s extensive career, spanning from arthouse films to blockbuster franchises, has often featured boundary-pushing performances.
Industry insiders note that Dafoe’s willingness to embrace such roles reflects his commitment to artistic expression over conventional Hollywood expectations. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with auteur filmmakers including Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Lars von Trier, and Wes Anderson, often in challenging or unconventional roles.
The Gonzo Girl performance represents another chapter in Dafoe’s diverse career, which includes four Academy Award nominations and numerous accolades. His portrayal of Walker Reade required him to embody the wild, unpredictable nature of the Thompson-inspired character, with the dress apparently being part of that characterisation.
As the video continues to circulate and generate discussion, it serves as a reminder of Dafoe’s enduring ability to surprise audiences and challenge expectations, even after decades in the industry. Whether viewed as artistic expression or unnecessary provocation, the moment has certainly achieved its apparent goal of generating conversation about both the actor and his latest film project.
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