In terms of horror movies and the Oscars, the prestigious award ceremony isn’t always well-regarded. Typically, horror acting and filmmaking aren’t given much recognition by The Academy. However, it appears that this year is breaking the mold, as The Substance has received multiple nominations, such as directing and best picture. Moreover, Demi Moore, who delivered a remarkable, heartfelt performance in the film, has been nominated for leading actress. It’s not just these nominations that stand out for The Substance, as it is also up for Makeup and Hairstyling, alongside another critically acclaimed horror film, Nosferatu.
Horror films typically don’t win awards in the major categories such as Best Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, or Original/Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. However, they have a stronger potential for success when it comes to the Makeup and Hairstyling category due to their often elaborate special effects.
The Fly and An American Werewolf in London Prove Body Horror Can Win an Oscar
It might be surprising to note that the Academy Awards haven’t ignored the genre of body horror entirely. One standout example is the film “The Fly,” which showcased Jeff Goldblum’s character, Seth Brundle, undergoing a transformative process into a fly-human hybrid. As this transformation unfolded, Brundle’s body disintegrated and morphed into something grotesque and alien. It was both heartbreaking and visually stunning, and the makeup effects used were some of the best in cinematic history. Notably, it won an Oscar for its exceptional work in Makeup and Hairstyling.
Just like how The Fly’s transformation was portrayed, The Substance undergoes a striking yet grueling physical change on Demi Moore. Intriguingly, the prosthetics artist behind The Substance, Pierre Olivier Persin, drew inspiration directly from The Fly, as he himself admitted in an interview with Total Film, as reported by MovieWeb.
Perin was reflecting on ‘The Fly’. Initially, Jeff Goldblum has hair on his back. One nail is falling off. It’s a gradual deterioration. It happens in stages. He doesn’t transform drastically into something grotesque all at once,” Perin explained. “Our goal was to strike the right balance. We didn’t want any stage to be too extreme, so when we witness his transformation, it takes us by surprise.
The prospect seems favorable for “The Substance”, considering that the Oscars have historically acknowledged body horror on par with films such as “The Fly” and “An American Werewolf in London”. Moreover, the technical finesse displayed in the transformations of Elizabeth and Sue, along with the innovative design direction, resembles previous award-winning works.
Movie Monsters, Including Nosferatu‘s Counterpart, Have Won Oscar Gold
In a twist of events, iconic horror figures such as vampires and werewolves have previously been awarded at the Oscars for their exceptional makeup and styling, and the remake of “Nosferatu” could potentially carry on this legacy. In director Robert Eggers’ adaptation of “Nosferatu”, Count Orlok undergoes a grotesque yet mesmerizing full-body metamorphosis from top to toe, setting him apart from his original character portrayals.
If Nosferatu triumphs in the category of makeup and hairstyling, it signifies that yet another portrayal of Dracula has claimed victory – since the original Nosferatu was an unofficial version of Dracula. In 1992, Francis Ford Coppola helmed Bram Stoker’s Dracula, where Gary Oldman took on the lead role as the vampire. Although Bill Skarsgård’s transformation in Nosferatu is more dramatic, Oldman’s portrayal in Bram Stoker’s Dracula remains a striking and indelible image.
Not only do these movies align with a prevalent trend for this Oscar category – they feature intricate period makeup and costumes. Many period films are frequently nominated in this category, as demonstrated by titles like Elizabeth, The Iron Lady, Les Misérables, Darkest Hour, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Interestingly, while the titular monster in Nosferatu is a chilling figure of the night, the rest of the cast perfectly embodies Victorian elegance. Similar to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu satisfies two key criteria – authentic period styling and innovative monster design. This dual appeal could potentially boost its chances for nomination.
Genre films like horror movies and those similar often don’t receive enough acclaim during the Oscars, but they’ve had more success in the categories of hair and makeup. It’s challenging to argue against the ingenious monster designs in Pan’s Labyrinth, the impressive metamorphosis scene in The Fly, or the historically accurate hairstyles in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Here’s hoping that this trend continues this Oscar season with Nosferatu and The Substance both deserving a chance at winning an award.
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2025-02-05 02:40