Academy Awards predictions. Part 4. Trust me when I say that these are the most important predictions for your Oscar ballot. You will lose your office pool if you don’t pay careful attention to the next few paragraphs. They will seriously up your game.

Nah, I’m just kidding. This is mostly just a prolonged conversation about Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein. Enjoy. (Or don’t. It’s up to you.)

Here’s Part 1. Don’t forget Part 2. Part 3 is magical.

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Best Costume Design

Frankenstein is the heavy favorite in this category, and for good reason. It has a type of period costuming that the Academy adores. And, frankly, the competition does not provide a similar style of costuming such that voters would be swayed away from Frankenstein. Early in the season, I would probably have suggested Hamnet as a potential favorite, but it is not the heavy Oscar contender I once thought it would be. Sinners, on the other hand, is a huge campaign that has been very successful. A Sinners sweep could easily include Costume Design.

Will Win: Frankenstein

Could Win: Sinners

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Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein again holds the favorite slot. Spoiler, it also is favored in Best Production Design. I find the notion of Frankenstein winning three awards surprising, as many people did not care for the film (not to mention it was a Netflix release with only a minimal theatrical run, and watching at home might diminish these craft elements), That said, the competition here is odd. The Ugly Stepsister and Kokuho got in but have no buzz (frankly, I’d be shocked if the majority of the Academy have seen either). People were not interested at all in The Smashing Machine. That just leaves Sinners, a film with makeup that is notable, but certainly not as apparent and ornate as what is in Frankenstein. It’s Frankenstein again.

Will Win: Frankenstein

Could Win: Sinners

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Best Production Design

Here may be the place where Frankenstein stumbles. Hamnet recreated the Globe Theatre (but I won’t get bitten the way I was when I said Conclave would win for recreating the Vatican). Sinners has production design tied down to a location that is central to the story of the film. Even Marty Supreme stands out for its wide variety of sets and locations. Frankenstein has the most production design—the most lavish and ornate pieces. This makes it very difficult to pick against. As much as I believe in my gut of guts that Frankenstein won’t win three Oscars, I am picking it to win three Oscars.

Will Win: Frankenstein

Could Win: Sinners

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As always, thanks for reading!

—Alex Brannan (Letterboxd)