You can use many techniques to help build your world, ground your setting, or give dimensions to your characters. You can use music, you can create elaborate sets, but one of the best ways is the costumes you make.

People instantly judge a character within moments on the screen, and the outfits are an essential part of that first impression. More than this, you can also use costumes as a way for storytelling, what do they say about this world, what do they say about how a character is progressing. 

Costumes can build worlds, tell us details we can only see, but also they can make us say ‘hot damn’ look at that beading on that dress, that must have taken hours to do. So without further ado, these are the costumes that made us say ‘hot damn’ in 2020. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question. Also, please click on the banners to be taken to the full review.     

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn

Creating an iconic look that brings everyone together but also sets them apart.   

Directed by – Cathy Yan
Costume Design by – Erin Benach

Black is King

There is so much this film nails but the exquisite vistas are matched equally by the costumes which nail every moment.   

Directed by – Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Kwasi Fordjour with Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Pierre Debusschere, Jenn Nkiru, Ibra Ake, Dikayl Rimmasch, Jake Nava, Dafe Oboro & Julian Klincewicz.
Costume Design by – Zerina Akers

Emma

The Regency period in all its glamour and also its very high collars.
Directed by – Autumn de Wilde
Costume Design by – Alexandra Byrne      

Freaky

A film that nails the vibe of teenagers about to be killed by a serial killer in every single outfit. 
Directed by – Christopher Landon
Costume Design by – Whitney Anne Adams

Little Women

Taking us back in time with one outfit after another. .      
Directed by – Greta Gerwig
Costume Design by – Jacqueline Durran

And the Winner is!!!!! – Black is King

Black is King is an experimental abstract film that is more emotion and vibe than a traditional narrative. But in the midst of this conceptual work, some images stuck with me for the rest of the year. Every outfit in this film is tailor-made to support the actors and the message of the segment. They are vibrant, make a statement, and are integral to why the film works as well as it does.  

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2020?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artist of each film