In the heart of Los Angeles, stars gathered under the neon glow of Desert 5 Spot for the LA Tastemaker Event celebrating AMERICANA, Lionsgate’s upcoming modern-day western. Sydney Sweeney, Halsey, Simon Rex, writer-director Tony Tost, and producer Alex Saks walked the rustic red carpet on Monday night, embracing the film’s gritty aesthetic with embroidered cowboy hats, denim, and desert flair.
But while the evening celebrated the film’s August 15 theatrical debut, it came on the heels of a different kind of buzz—the American Eagle advertising scandal that placed lead star Sydney Sweeney at the center of controversy. Earlier this summer, backlash erupted over the fashion brand’s controversial campaign, which many critics called tone-deaf and exploitative, with some accusing it of using faux Americana imagery while distancing itself from real cultural accountability. Though Sweeney has not directly addressed the backlash, her highly visible partnership with the brand has reignited debate about celebrity endorsements and authenticity.
Still, that didn’t dampen the festivities at Monday night’s premiere. Following the screening, guests enjoyed a lively post-reception featuring a mechanical bull, photo ops, and custom hat stitching—continuing the western motif that defines AMERICANA.
The film follows a chaotic race for a rare Native American artifact, bringing together a cast of characters chasing personal redemption, revenge, and riches. Sweeney plays a quiet waitress with big dreams, starring alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey, Simon Rex, Eric Dane, and Zahn McClarnon.
Directed and written by Tony Tost and produced by Alex Saks, AMERICANA blends crime, thriller, and neo-western genres with themes of greed, identity, and stolen culture—making its real-life parallels all the more relevant.
AMERICANA opens exclusively in theaters August 15.
Follow the film: #Americanamovie
