The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild unveiled their nominations in January, which naturally gives us an insight into how the Oscar race may be shaping. Coming 2 America, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, House of Gucci, and The Suicide Squad all earned three nominations each, while Cruella, Dune, and No Time to Die scored two nods each. Keep in mind MUAH split their categories between period and contemporary hair and make-up plus an additional category for special make-up effects, hence the multiple nominations.
Given all seven films are on the Oscars shortlist for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, there’s a strong chance they will make up the final five nominees. For some time now, Cruella, Dune, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and House of Gucci have appeared to be the strongest contenders. The fact all four just scored a BAFTA nod seems to cement their status in the Oscar race.
That really only leaves the fifth spot up in the air. Cyrano was noticeably absent from the MUAH’s nominations, but it did secure a nod from BAFTA. The two MUAH nominations for No Time to Die could be telling, but the fact it couldn’t land a nod from BAFTA might have put its Oscar chances to bed. My pick for the final spot is Coming 2 America. The level of prosthetics and special effects work in this film will be hard for the makeup and hairstyling branch to ignore.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING PREDICTIONS:
1. Dune (Warner Bros.)
2. The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Searchlight Pictures)
3. Cruella (Disney)
4. House of Gucci (MGM)
5. Coming 2 America (Amazon Studios)
IN CONTENTION
Cyrano (MGM)
Nightmare Alley (Searchlight Pictures)
No Time to Die (MGM)
The Suicide Squad (Warner Bros.)
West Side Story (20th Century Studios)