Frankenstein seems set up to be a strong contender at the 98th Academy Awards, especially in certain categories. Frankenstein is the latest cinematic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s immortal novel of the same name, modernizing several elements of the source material while infusing del Toro’s personal touches to the traditional narrative.

Guillermo del Toro has won several Academy Awards in the past, with the Oscars celebrating him several times in the past. While stiff compeтιтion from other likely contenders means the biggest categories are still up in the air, the level of craft on display in Frankenstein makes it a sure-fire lock for several nominations.

Frankenstein Seems Like A Lock For Several Oscar Nominations

The reception to Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein may seem muted compared to the louder accolades given to likely compeтιтors for Oscar gold like Sinners or One Battle After Another, but the Netflix film is still on track to be in contention for several Academy Awards — especially in the below-the-line categories like Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling.

Beyond a possible Best Picture nomination, Guillermo del Toro is in the running for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. His turn as the Creature also seems likely to earn Jacob Elordi a nod for Best Supporting Actor. However, stiff compeтιтion makes those options far from absolute locks. Films like Marty Supreme and Wicked: For Good might alter the race.

What seems more definite is the film’s likely success with the below-the-line categories, which will likely be keen to celebrate the lavish costumes, impressive sets, and overall aesthetic of del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s classic novel. Guillermo del Toro’s films have always excelled in these fields, and it seems likely that Frankenstein will continue to keep that trend alive.

Frankenstein is currently considered a frontrunner for Best Costume Design, Best Make-up and Hairstyling, and Production Design. All three of these categories would reflect the film’s commitment to creating a vivid gothic world for Victor and his Creature, which even the harshest critics of the movie have applauded.

While many have cited Sydney Sweeney’s transformation in Christy as a frontrunner for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, the memorable design and effective application of the Creature’s monstrous look without diminishing any of Eldori’s painfully human performance should make the film a shoo-in for a nomination in the category, and a clear frontrunner for the win.

Similarly, the lavish period style of the costumes of Frankenstein enhances the film’s overall gothic visual look, giving it an edge over similar frontrunners like Hamnet and Hedda. This is a category typically ruled by period-appropriate costuming and stylish looks that play into the look of the film. Frankenstein accomplishes both with its costume design, likely earning it a nomination.

Production Design seems to be the film’s most likely award nomination at the Oscars, given the sheer scale of sets like Victor’s laboratory. Even simple homes or barren caves feel intricately designed for prime storytelling potential, making it a near-certain lock for a nomination in this category as well. This builds off of the film’s overall award potential.

Frankenstein is a good overall film, with largely solid reviews to go with the showy art, make-up, and production design. Coupled with the Academy’s long-professed appreciation for del Toro and his works, these categories feel like good ways to honor the film in categories less dominated by other big frontrunners like One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Hamnet.

This should give it an edge over other likely compeтιтors in these categories, like Christy and The Smashing Machine, which earned accolades for their production design but were met with an overall more mixed critical reception. Frankenstein hitting Netflix in November will give more audiences a chance to see the film, which should give it momentum going into award voting.

The sheer overall visual design of the film makes it likely that del Toro’s Frankenstein has a good showing at the 98th Academy Awards. Hopefully, del Toro’s take on Frankenstein can build on those likely nominations to earn recognition in some of the bigger categories as well.