With the Academy’s nominations announcement drawing closer by the day, it’s time to lay it all on the line with my final Oscar nomination predictions. And, with BAFTA nominations coming five days after the Academy’s announcement, we’re flying without that typical precursor stat. At least we have their longlists for some reference.
Seven of the Academy’s final ten makeup and hairstyling contenders landed on the BAFTA longlist. Six of those also scored nods from the Make-Up & Hair Stylists Guild. And four landed nods at the Critics Choice Awards, so let’s consider Frankenstein, Sinners, The Smashing Machine, and Wicked: For Good our solid bets.
That leaves the fifth spot up for grabs. One Battle After Another might make it in, if it really sweeps. But it’s really only Sean Penn’s final act appearance that’s up for consideration here. I think something like Timothée Chalamet’s subtle but effective transformation for Marty Supreme is more in the Academy’s wheelhouse.
That being said, don’t be surprised to see a left-field nomination snatch a spot here. Something like the overtly obvious work in Nuremberg or The Alto Knights wouldn’t be out of the question. Likewise, with a genre film like The Ugly Stepsister. Or the gorgeous geisha stylings in Kokuhō.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING PREDICTIONS:
1. Frankenstein (Netflix) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, MUAH
2. Sinners (Warner Bros.) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, MUAH
3. The Smashing Machine (A24) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, MUAH
4. Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, MUAH
5. Marty Supreme (A24) – BAFTA longlist, MUAH
Alternate: One Battle After Another BAFTA longlist, (Warner Bros.) – BAFTA longlist, MUAH