Oscar-Nominated Makeup Designer Reveals Secrets Behind 'Sinners' Vampire Effects

Mike Fontaine explains how he used nocturnal animals and dog attacks as inspiration for the film's fangs, claws and bloody gashes.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Mike Fontaine, the Oscar-nominated makeup designer for the film 'Sinners,' discusses the process of creating the vampire effects for the movie. He explains how the team researched animal attacks on humans, studied medical photos, and developed new reflective contact lenses to achieve the supernatural yet realistic look of the vampires. Fontaine also shares behind-the-scenes stories about the challenging on-set conditions and the actors' dedication during the painstaking makeup sessions.

Why it matters

The makeup nomination for 'Sinners' serves as a tribute to director Ryan Coogler's deep commitment to practical, in-camera effects. Fontaine's work on the film highlights the importance of blending the supernatural with realism to create a truly immersive horror experience for audiences.

The details

Fontaine and his team researched animal attacks, studying medical photos of gashes caused by bears, apes, and especially dogs. They 'turned up the volume a bit, but everything was still rooted in reality.' The vampires' shimmering eyes were based on the reflective layer behind the retina of nocturnal animals, which was achieved through the development of a new type of reflective contact lens. The contact lenses caused slight vision impairment for the actors, but Fontaine praised their collaboration and dedication during the painstaking makeup sessions.

  • The makeup work on 'Green Room' was an early credit for Fontaine, a previous Oscar nominee for 'The Batman' and an Emmy winner last year for 'The Penguin'.
  • The reflective contact lenses used in 'Sinners' were developed over several years by contact lens designer Christina Patterson, who also helped create the effect of Paul Giamatti's lazy eye in 'The Holdovers'.

The players

Mike Fontaine

An Oscar-nominated prosthetics makeup designer who was responsible for creating the fangs, claws, and bloody gashes for the vampires in the film 'Sinners'.

Ryan Coogler

The writer, director, and producer of 'Sinners', known for his deep commitment to practical, in-camera effects.

Christina Patterson

A contact lens designer who spent several years fabricating the reflective lenses used to achieve the vampires' shimmering eyes in 'Sinners'.

Jack O'Connell

An actor in 'Sinners' who underwent extensive makeup transformations, including having a metal plate glued to his head and tubes of smoke and blood going up and down his back.

Michael B. Jordan, Omar Benson Miller

Actors in 'Sinners' who collaborated closely with the makeup team during the painstaking makeup sessions.

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What they’re saying

“There were very few actors who made it through the film without coming to see us.”

— Mike Fontaine, Prosthetics Makeup Designer (TheWrap)

“Ryan has a great deal of empathy for his characters and you really feel for these people when they get hurt. In 'Sinners,' we go into the supernatural, but you still had to feel like you were trapped in this juke joint and that these things were really happening.”

— Mike Fontaine, Prosthetics Makeup Designer (TheWrap)

“It's rare when somebody invents something brand-new. It's a mesmerizing effect. The lenses are both terrifying and kind of beautiful, and embody that line that Ryan walked throughout the entire movie, where you can be attracted to these vampires but also fear them.”

— Mike Fontaine, Prosthetics Makeup Designer (TheWrap)

What’s next

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the winners of the 2026 Oscars, including the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, on March 2, 2026.

The takeaway

The meticulous and innovative makeup work on 'Sinners' demonstrates the crucial role that practical effects can play in creating a sense of realism and immersion, even in the realm of the supernatural. Fontaine's dedication to blending the horrific with the beautiful has earned the film's makeup team well-deserved recognition.