Netflix viewers can now delight in the revival of the Syfy series “Face Off,” a reality TV competition spotlighting the remarkable skills of special effects makeup artists. In contrast to the Nicolas Cage film with the same name, this show pits artists against each other in a style reminiscent of “Top Chef,” pushing them to craft astonishing makeup creations within incredibly tight deadlines. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or missed it during its initial run, the availability of two seasons on Netflix makes it much more accessible to this visually captivating show.
Every episode of “Face Off” presents diverse challenges and techniques in the domains of science fiction, horror, and fantasy. One memorable episode from the first season assessed artists’ capacity to create lifelike human disguises to test if their loved ones could recognize them. The show’s emphasis on highlighting the creative process rather than contrived drama sets it apart from other reality TV competitions.
The structure of “Face Off” competition comprises a brief foundational challenge at the start of each episode, followed by a more extensive spotlight challenge. Artists toil to produce intricate makeup looks and apply them to their models. These models then showcase the final looks to a panel of industry experts and guest judges for evaluation.
While Netflix is currently streaming seasons four and five, Peacock offers seasons nine through thirteen, the final five seasons. Moreover, all thirteen seasons are available for purchase on platforms like Amazon. The presence of the series on Netflix introduces it to new audiences, potentially rekindling its popularity, akin to the resurgence witnessed with “Suits.” Significantly, season four introduces full-body makeup challenges and features Michael Westmore, an Oscar-winning effects artist, as a mentor.
To the dismay of its fans, “Face Off” was dropped five years ago, despite gaining a committed fan base. But there is hope that “Face Off” will return and perhaps find a new home on Peacock, given the recent renaissance of older reality TV series. The show’s availability on Netflix represents a promising initial step in rekindling interest and demonstrating to NBCUniversal the enduring allure of the world of masks and makeup.
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