One of the most respected psychologists has explained how Netflix cast female stars with an ‘angular feline’ face in lead roles. The shape is thought to show ‘power and control’ as well as ‘creating a unique personality’ for viewers.
The Queen’s Gambit, Sex Education and Squid Game are some of Netflix’s biggest shows of 2021 – with millions of viewers tuning in.
It’s more than just viral success and rave reviews that these shows enjoy – their lead ladies all have an angular cat-like appearance with small noses and raised eyebrows.
Dubbed ‘the Netflix face’ the phenomenon is down to psychology in how the mind perceives and records facial recognition – it’s also favoured by producers, as it works well on smaller screens because A leading aesthetics physician claims that angularity can create contrast in the skin and give it an appearance of more natural scenes.
Emma Mackey (25) plays Maeve in Sex Education. Anya TaylorJoy (25), also wows audiences in The Queen’s Gambit. 27-year old Kang Saebyeok won critical praise for her role in Squid Game.
An expert psychologist revealed that streaming service Netflix has been putting women in prominent roles with “angular, feline” faces. The shape is thought to show ‘power and control’ as well as a unique personality with their viewers. Stars with the look include Emma Mackey, 25, who plays Maeve Wiley in Sex Education (left) – Anya Taylor-Joy (right), also 25, who wowed audiences in The Queen’s Gambit
HoYeon Jung’s Squid Game character, a North Korean-defect that competes to win money for her family. It is her face which is closely associated with control and power.
Aaron Surtees from subconsciously.com explained that the feline facial’ connects audiences with actors, as it is associated with modern beauty.
The shape, which is also very popular among surgically-augmented models such as Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, was also mentioned by him. People are attracted to this look that has been a big trend in contemporary beauty.
Meanwhile, Dr Martin Nimmo, a leading aesthetician and founder of The Nimmo Clinic added that it’s a Face shape is a reflection of your personality.
He said that “Females with stronger jawlines and cheekbones are more likely conform to the golden proportion”, which is a mathematical ratio of natural aesthetic beauty flowing through art and nature.
“This will increase their attractiveness and femininity. These strong roles for women with strong jawlines give them authority and it is great to see strong female characters on these Netflix shows.
Aaron concurs, stating that modern facial recognition technology is more favorable to more angular faces. They are beautiful because of the scientific proof.
Peyton List (Cobra Kai), left, and Kiernan Shippingka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), right, respectively, play leading women in Netflix originals. Their common features are small noses, high cheekbones, and small noses.
Spot the difference: Nina Dobrev (left) who stars in Netflix original Love Hard is a doppelganger for Emily in Paris star Lily Collins (right)
He explained that an angular face has prominent eyes and broad cheekbones. It also tends to have a strong jawline.
Beauty and physical symmetry are two of the components that make a beautiful and striking face. This is the best-known face shape.
It is no surprise that stars like Anya-Taylor Joy and Jung Ho-yean have been given big roles. The composition of their faces helps to draw attention and focus the eye on the expressions.
Physical attractiveness is a way to make a first impression. While the decision to choose an actor with this face may be made strategically by the director, it could also just happen.
“The casting crew may choose this face shape as most people naturally gravitate towards beauty. There is also a certain familiarity.
“This makes it easier to connect with the audience because they have a feeling of getting to know the actor.”
Victoria Pedretti – who starred as a lead in the three Netflix Original series The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor (left), has a Netflix Face’. Pedretti is joined by Emma Stone (right), the Oscar-winner Netflix picked up for Maniac, which features Annie Landsberg as a woman suffering from borderline personality disorder.
Simona Brown (left) who plays Louise Barnsley in Netflix original Behind Her Eyes and Karrie Martin who stars as Ana in Gentefied also share the high cheek bones and angular faces that work perfectly on screen
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar (left) and Lee Rodriguez as Fabiola Torres (right) in Never Have I Ever both share the ‘Netflix face’
Jamela Jamil, who also made her acting debut on Netflix’s Good Place has the feline look.
The brain sends signals when we see someone we like and then we feel many emotions including admiration, fascination, and awe.
“This is why you are seeing the ‘Netflix Face’, with or without realising.”
It is more associated with the leading lady, often in powerful roles, than the damsel who is in trouble. This trope was common in 20th Century cinema.
Sex Education: Maeve Wiley is the infamous ‘bad girl’. She lives in Secondary School because her mother, a heroin addict, abandoned her.
Anya Taylor Joy’s heroine in the Queen’s Gambit Beth Harmon is an orphan who goes on to become a champion world chess player.
Similarly, HoYeon Jung’s Squid Game character is a North Korean-defect who competes in the deadly game to get money for her family.
They’re not alone in having small noses and high cheekbones.
Others include Victoria Pedretti – who starred in three Netflix Original series, The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor and You. She plays the role of a murderous baker in this series.
Pedretti is surrounded by Emma Stone, an Oscar-winner that Netflix picked up for Maniac. Stone plays Annie Landsberg in Maniac. Annie Landsberg portrays a woman suffering from borderline personality disorder and who goes through a drug test.
“There has been an increase in Netflix shows featuring actors with “feline angular face” such as Jung Ho-yeon, Anya TaylorJoy and Kiernan Schiffka [Chilling Adventures of Sabrina] Emma Mackey, Peyton List [Cobra Kai] to name a few,’ Dr Riccardo Frati of Frati Cosmetic Surgery.
“The feline look dominates our screens these days, with high cheekbones and snatched jawlines. Bella Hadid is a great example.
‘It was 1995 that I saw Carmen Electra’s feline beauty type.
The ‘Netflix look’ has been a major influence on ‘beauty’ and the actresses with this look are very sought after.
This look is becoming more popular and our clients want to get it.
Abigal Cohen of Fate: The Winx Saga (left) and Elizabeth Gillies who stars in Dynasty (right) both have the ‘Netflix face’
Natalia Dyer stars in Stranger Things. This is one of Netflix’s most popular shows.
Fellow Harley Street aesthetic doctor, Dr David Jack, added that the Netflix face works particular well on smaller screens – such as phones and laptops – which is where much of the streaming services traffic comes from.
He explained that over the past few years both streaming TV and social media have exposed us to more faces. A more angular, slimmer appearance is becoming more common in big screen stars and our smartphones.
“Since young people are the biggest users of these platforms. I think there has been an increase in the number of actresses with smaller but more angular faces with the emphasis on healthy-looking skin and minimal makeup.
“The Joon Ho-yeon example is a great example, especially as mainstream media finally embraces the value of ethnic diversity.
“This facial shape works great onscreen because it’s interesting. The contrast between the angularity and unmadeup skin gives the illusion of a realistic scene.
“I think this face shape is also great for actors playing different ages. The strong bone structure makes it easy to apply makeup that will alter or decrease the appearance of the characters. This angularity, contrast, and longevity can be preserved throughout one’s life.
Dimple Amani, celebrity facialist, said that face-shape is also beneficial for those who work in post-production because it allows you to express yourself naturally and requires less editing.
‘These types of features tend to fit in many different roles or characters, when they smile it lights up the screen, and when they are angry its sparks fire.
They can change in seconds. Feline angular faces have been designed to look attractive and to give off a strong, sexually-charged personality.
“As a face-to-face facialist, and having a background as a makeup artist, it is very easy to prep for a shoot with feline actors. I also recommend using less photoshop and airbrushing photos.
The look is perhaps a step away from the classic beauty of cinema’s past, and the look associated with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Sienna Miller and Blake Lively, but it’s set to become a timeless trend.
Dr Ross Perry Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin, adds: ‘All the faces have a fairly angular profile which means that they have relatively high cheekbones and wide open eyes but then also a slimmer jawline and this is often not a classical beauty sort of shape.
However, it could be extremely useful in creating different personalities and characterisations. Although it doesn’t look too quirky, it’s certainly unique and attractive. The facial structure for the characters suits their chosen roles.
The classic beauty is usually more proportioned in regards to where the cheekbones should be in relation to the nose, jaw and mouth. It can often give a more appealing appearance.
“I am certain it will stay”