Halloween Costume Guide
Two looks: the assassin version with the suit, maxi dress, and garter holster, or the house scene in underwear that everyone actually quotes. Both read as a couple. Only one involves heels.
John and Jane Smith are the main characters from Mr and Mrs Smith (2005), the action comedy where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play a married couple who are secretly both assassins hired to kill each other. The movie has two iconic looks: the assassin version where they are dressed up and dangerous, and the house scene where they are fighting in their underwear. Most people know the movie. The 2024 Amazon Prime series with Donald Glover and Maya Erskine brought it back into conversation, so recognition is good right now.
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For the assassin look: John puts on the white dress shirt first, then the suit. Leave the top button open. Tuck the airsoft gun into the waistband or inner jacket pocket with the handle visible. That detail is what makes the whole thing read. Jane puts on the maxi dress, fits the wig so it sits naturally, attaches the garter to the upper thigh, holsters the GLOCK prop in it, and steps into the pumps. The garter gun should be visible when she walks. That’s the image from the movie.
For character: John and Jane Smith are polite, functioning spouses who happen to want each other dead for about forty minutes of the film. The dynamic is dry. Talk to each other normally at the party and then occasionally look at the other person with a slight amount of suspicion. If someone asks what you are, say “married” first, then add the assassin part like it just occurred to you.
The Gun Has to Be Visible
The prop gun is what separates this from just wearing a suit and a dress. John’s should be tucked somewhere it can be seen easily. Jane’s should be in the garter holster where people can spot it. Both of you having visible weapons is the couple read. One gun between two people and you’re just a person in formal wear standing next to an assassin.
Which Look to Pick
The assassin look works better in photos and at parties where you’ll be meeting people. The house scene look is funnier and cheaper. I’d honestly go assassin if you’re going somewhere people will see you, and house scene if you want to spend less money and have a bit more fun with it. The house scene also doesn’t require heels, which matters by hour three.
The Smith Household
This one is for people who actually know the movie well. Vince Vaughn as Eddie is a great addition if someone in the group is willing to commit to him specifically. The assassins sent after them are flexible and don’t need a specific look, which makes them easy roles to fill. Solid if the whole group is into the film.
Deadly Couples
Five couples, all defined by someone trying to kill someone. The concept holds together as a theme even if guests don’t recognize every pair. Harley and Joker are the most recognizable entry point, which helps anchor the group for people who aren’t film nerds. Frank and Amy from Gone Girl is the wildcard here since the costume is basically just normal clothes with a sinister vibe. Fun group, works best if everyone commits to the “deadly couple” framing at the party.
Same-Actor Expansion
This concept is more fun on paper than it is in practice. Recognizing that a group is dressed as “various Brad Pitt roles” requires people to be paying close attention and care about film history. That said, if you have a group of movie fans, it’s genuinely a cool concept. Angelina’s roster of action roles all share a similar visual energy, which helps. The more well-known characters carry the group for people who only get a few of them.
Famous Smiths
A theme built on a last name, which is either clever or confusing depending on who you ask. Will Smith is the most recognizable entry, and the Oscar slap costume has a lot of built-in conversation around it. Neo works better as “Mr. Anderson” for the joke to land. Agent Smith is a great solo look but needs context to connect to the theme. This is a fun concept for a friend group that likes a bit of chaos in their group costume.
The suit is the biggest potential saving here. If anyone in the couple already owns a black slim fit suit and white dress shirt, John’s entire assassin look is covered. Same for Jane: if you have a long black dress that works, you are buying a wig, a garter, and a prop gun. The house scene version is even cheaper since it’s basically loungewear plus red boots.
The thing about this costume is that a lot of its recognizability comes from the couple interacting. Two people in formal wear with guns is interesting. Two people in formal wear with guns who are visibly suspicious of each other is immediately Mr and Mrs Smith. Lean into the dynamic. At the party, occasionally glance at each other like you’re running a threat assessment. Offer each other drinks and then pause for half a second before taking a sip. It’s a small bit but it lands with anyone who has seen the film.
Pick the assassin look or the house scene look. Assassin: John in a black slim fit suit, white dress shirt, black oxfords, and an airsoft handgun. Jane in a black maxi dress, long brown wavy wig, black garter with a GLOCK prop, and black pumps. House scene: Jane in a casual long sleeve shirt and red wellies, John in a white tee, white gym shorts, and coyote boots. Both versions need visible prop guns to read as a couple costume.
Two scenes that everyone who has seen the movie remembers. The curtains scene:
And the kill count:
The kill count exchange is the best one. Use it at the party when someone asks how your night is going.
Yes. The 2024 Amazon Prime reboot brought it back into the conversation, so recognition is broader now than it was a few years ago. The couple in formal wear with guns concept also reads clearly even to people who haven’t seen either version. It’s one of the better options for couples who want something that looks intentional without spending a lot of time explaining it.
The assassin look is more recognizable and reads better in photos. The house scene is funnier and cheaper. Go assassin if you want people to get it right away. Go house scene if you want a more relaxed night and don’t want to wear heels for four hours.
Not identical, but coordinated. Jane in the black maxi dress and John in the black suit already read as a pair. The prop guns are what tie it together. If only one of you has a visible weapon, the couple read gets a lot weaker.
Technically yes. Jane’s assassin look works on its own, the black dress, brown wig, and garter holster is a complete look without needing a John next to you. But the whole joke of the costume is the couple dynamic, so going solo loses most of it.
The looks in this guide are based on the 2005 film with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The 2024 series uses the same character names but a different visual style. Either works as a reference point. Just be aware that some people will ask which version you mean.