“Frankenstein” Takes Home Best Costumes and Hair & Makeup

By:Brin Williams
Image of Kate Hawley, Frankenstein, Best Costume Design, at the Oscars


Netflix’s Guillermo del Toro-directed hit “Frankenstein” scored Oscars for both costume design and makeup and hair styling. The gothic flick features intricate period costumes and incredible SFX makeup for Jacob Elordi’s monster. 

The other nominees for the award were “Avatar: Fire and Ash” (Deborah L. Scott), “Hamnet” (Malgosia Turzanska), “Marty Supreme” (Miyako Bellizzi), and “Sinners” (Ruth E. Carter).

The Winners

Image of Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey, Frankenstein, Makeup and Hairstyling
Image of Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey, Frankenstein, Makeup and Hairstyling, Courtesy of Hulu

Costume designer Kate Hawley, who was previously known for “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014) and “Crimson Peak” (2015), takes home the honor. The costume design in “Frankenstein” is lush and creative and adds to the film’s signature gothic ambiance. The costumes for Mia Goth’s Elizabeth and Claire Frankenstein were particularly affecting. 

The film’s massive makeup department, including hair designer Cliona Furey, known for “Priscilla (2023) and “Nightmare Alley” (2021), makeup department head Jordan Samuel, best known for his work on Del Toro’s other Oscar winner “The Shape of Water” (2017) and “Spotlight” (2015), and prosthetic makeup effects department head Mike Hill, also known for “Shape of the Water” and “Nightmare Alley”, worked tirelessly to bring the film’s creature to life, and they certainly succeeded in transforming Elordi into a scary but sympathetic monster. 

The Film

Image of the Frankenstein monster from Frankenstein, nominated for the Golden Globes.
Image from Frankenstein, Courtesy of Netflix

Del Toro’s adaptation of the famous Mary Shelly novel “Frankenstein” premiered in theaters for a limited run on October 17, 2025. The film was then released on Netflix on November 7, 2025. The film was a massive hit for the streaming site, garnering 29.1 million views in just the first three days. The film went on to reach the top 10 in 93 different countries and became the fifth biggest debut on Netflix in 2025 at the time.

The film follows the well-known story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but narcissistic scientist who seeks to create life through technology. In the process, he creates the monster, often mistakenly called Frankenstein. In del Toro’s adaptation, the monster takes center stage; we hear the story from both points of view, monster and creator. Unlike in previous adaptations, the monster in del Toro’s “Frankenstein” is articulate and sympathetic. The film forces viewers to ask the toughest question of all: Who’s the real monster here?

The film earned an impressive total of nine nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, including best picture.

Author

  • Brin Williams

    Brin is an aspiring queer speculative fiction author with a master's degree in creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. They spend their days writing, musing about space, catching up on K-Drama, and playing with their miniature poodle, aptly named Prince Zuko, as Avatar: The Last Airbender remains Brin's all-time favorite franchise.

Brin is an aspiring queer speculative fiction author with a master's degree in creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. They spend their days writing, musing about space, catching up on K-Drama, and playing with their miniature poodle, aptly named Prince Zuko, as Avatar: The Last Airbender remains Brin's all-time favorite franchise.

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