Halle Berry Dazzles in Daring Sheer Dress at ‘The Union’ Premiere: “Because I Can”

“Because I can, goddamn.”

So said Halle Berry last night when asked by The Hollywood Reporter why she chose a sheer, lingerie-style La Perla outfit for the world premiere of Netflix’s The Union. The Julian Farino-directed action drama features the 57-year-old Oscar winner as Roxanne, a covert intelligence operative who recruits Mike, a down-to-earth New Jersey construction worker played by Mark Wahlberg, for a high-stakes mission. The fact that Roxanne and Mike are high school sweethearts is another reason Berry donned the daring dress.

“I thought with the theme of this movie being lovers reuniting, it was time to bring this out,” Berry explained. “This is also where I’m at today.”

Berry also finds herself starring opposite Wahlberg for the first time despite a friendship spanning over 30 years. It may come as a surprise, but Berry revealed that prior to this project, there had never been an opportunity for the two to work together.

“When this happened, I thought, wow, this is the thing I didn’t know that I needed. I’ve known Mark forever and it was a joyous experience. It was fun. He’s such a collaborator. It felt like going home. We discovered our commonalities while working together, and we used them for the movie. Hopefully, it comes across on the screen.”

The Union also features a notable ensemble cast including Mike Colter, Jackie Earle Haley, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee, Dana Delany, Lorraine Bracco, Patch Darragh and J.K. Simmons. Wahlberg didn’t just star; he also produced the film alongside Stephen Levinson and Jeff Waxman.

Wahlberg aimed to balance action, humor, romance, and witty banter, echoing the dynamic found in classic films starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Berry was excited about this mix from the start. “I got to do action with humor, and there’s drama as well. Usually, in rom-coms or straight-up action movies like John Wick, you miss those extra elements. This movie offers a taste of everything, and I can’t remember the last time I got to experience that in a movie with someone I like.”

Berry’s schedule for the rest of 2024 looks packed. Her thriller Never Let Go, directed by Alexandre Aja, has shifted its release date from Sept. 27 to Sept. 20. She also revealed to THR that she will be starring opposite Angelina Jolie in Maude v Maude “next year”, while also prepping for another directorial project following her work on the Netflix MMA drama Bruised.

For his part, Wahlberg had plenty of praise for Berry during his comments from the stage at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre before the premiere. He jokingly described his character as “the Jersey James Bond” and then turned his focus to his friend and co-star.

“The reason why this movie is going to be so successful is because of the chemistry we have together and the talent she brings every single day,” Wahlberg told the audience. “She demands a level of commitment and hard work from everybody. She delegates, sets the tone. My character would wait 25 years sitting in his mom’s house, hoping one day she would come back, and you’ll see why.”

He continued, “Nobody else can pull that off but Halle Berry. When you meet Halle Berry in person, you realize she is the most accessible, sweet, kind, talented, thoughtful, tough person.”