Rachel McAdams charms everyone at the Spotlight after-party

The film is already generating Oscar buzz, and director Thomas McCarthy looked appropriately happy—he seemed to be laughing and talking with a different person every five minutes. The sheer volume of guests and the small size of the room meant that stars in attendance mixed in with the party’s civilian guests; you were sure to bump into a celebrity if you took more than a few steps in any direction. “I just walked into Mark Ruffalo!" one guest exclaimed to her friend, who nodded toward the star, now taking a gleeful-looking iPhone selfie with several women.

Michael Keaton, John Slattery, Liev Schreiber and Paul Haggis were all there too, drinking and mingling in the packed downstairs room. Filmmaker Gaspar Noé and his trademark mustache were in attendance, as was TIFF “Rising Star” Deragh Campbell, who staked out a spot at the upstairs bar with young filmmaker Antoine Bourges.

But in the end it was Rachel McAdams, in a stunning sheer Valentino dress, who felt like the room’s centre of gravity. McAdams, who was there with her brother Daniel, was glowing, genuine and warm throughout the evening. Guests lined up to talk to her about the film and she chatted with all of them, taking the time to make everyone feel at ease. “She’s just so nice,” said a star-struck fan walking out of the venue—and everyone within hearing distance nodded.